After the most wonderful time of the year comes the most bittersweet. It’s that time when we look back at all that has happened over the past year. We remember our losses and our gains. Many will be overjoyed with 2015 and be excited for the new year to come, whereas some will hope to do better in the new year. No matter the circumstance, everyone makes at least one new year resolution. I want to share my top ten resolutions, mostly so I can look back at them and never forget them throughout the year.
1. Get healthy.
I know, I know; this one is a cliché. Everyone says they want to lose weight and work out in the new year, but that’s not necessarily what I mean. Obviously, a little weight loss never hurt, but in the new year I want to focus on eating better. I want more fruit and veggies and less butter and extras, not because I want to lose weight but because bad food makes me feel gross after eating it.
2. Be positive and be brave.
Speaking of feeling bad, my next resolution is to feel bad less often. To stop worrying about the negatives that I may come across and focus on the positives. I feel like if I act positively, that’s how my life will go. The second part of this resolution is to be brave. Along with acting positively, I want to be braver. Take more risks to see what can happen in life.
3. Be more independent.
This one is pretty much self-explanatory. I feel like I rely on people too much, and while there is nothing wrong with leaning on people, I don’t want to put my whole weight on them. Like #2, take initiative and be brave.
4. Stop relying on unreliable people.
Although I want to be independent, I still know I need people in my life. This year I want to focus on having the right people in my life. I’ve grown up with flaky friends, but my problem used to be that I would try and do anything to get them to spend time with me that I wouldn’t realize that maybe they don’t want to. If someone broke a dinner date or canceled on me at the last minute, I would be so caught up trying to think of something else. Since I’ve come to college, I've realized that I have people who want to make plans with me; I have people who are looking for me; I have people who care. So when one of my old friends decides they have something better to do in the new year, I hope I’ll say something like, “OK! Bye, have a nice life!”
5. Be less selfish.
I realize the last part of number four must have sounded a little harsh. I don’t think it’s all about me, honestly, which is why my next resolution is to be less selfish. I plan on being more considerate and caring to others (except for the flaky friends of course!), because I know I am not the only person who matters. I want to give more and plan on doing so.
6. Pay attention to my surroundings.
I feel like this one goes hand and hand with #5. I need to get my head out of my phone and pay more attention. Stop falling asleep in class (sorry, mom) and start being more alert. I tend to not remember the details of things, and I think it’s because I’m not always a sponge when it comes to listening.
7. Think about my future more.
Although there is no better time than the present, as I get older I need to think about my future more. I should think about my actions in accordance with not how they will effect me now, but in the future. Hopefully I follow this one, but I’m not going to lie, it’s a change.
8. Give a compliment every day.
This is a goal I have every year. It’s just simply to spread happiness to everyone. I feel like a genuine compliment always makes someone’s day better, so I want to make sure I at least try to do that.
9. Thank my parents and family more.
Thank you, Mom and Dad and Mimi and Nanny and all my family for everything you do and put up with every single day!
10. Appreciate.
My last resolution and probably most important one is to appreciate. Appreciate not only the big things, but the little things that God gives me in my life every day. Appreciate nature, appreciate chances, and appreciate people. I feel like if I do this more it will be a pretty good year.
So, these are my 2016 new year’s resolutions. I hope I follow them through, but for now, while it’s still 2015, I plan on living my life to the fullest. Happy holidays and happy new year, and I hope all your wishes and resolutions happen!
