New Year's resolutions are notoriously known as unrealistic goals of self-improvement that people set for themselves in the beginning of the year and eventually forget about in a couple of months. New Year's resolutions are a joke in today's society. However, New Year's resolutions are actually promised, are meant to encourage people to recognize that change, personal growth, and self-improvement are possible if they take the initiative to commit to the goals that they make for themselves.

I made the decision to add a new twist to the way I write my New Year's resolutions. In fact, this year, I will partake in the social movement "because I said I would" and write my resolutions on Promise Cards. "because I said I would," founded by Alex Sheen, is a social movement and non-profit organization dedicated to the betterment of humanity through promises that are made and kept. The promises are written on Promise Cards that have "because I said I would" written at the bottom left corner of the card. Promise Cards are meant to hold people accountable for their actions and to remind them the importance of their commitments and goals. Promise Cards can be used in multiple ways, but the popular methods are:

1. The Promise

You write your promises on a card and give it to the people you are making the promises to. Once the promises are fulfilled, you will be given the card back and you can keep it is as a reminder that you are a person of the word.

2. The Trade

You and another person write promises to each other on separate cards. Then, you will exchange the cards with one another as a symbol of mutual commitment. After you fulfill your promises you must trade your cards back and keep them.

3. The Post

You write your promises on a card, take a picture of the card, and post it on your social media sites to help hold yourself accountable.

4. The Calendar

You write a different promise or a goal on 52 separate cards. Then, each week, you will select one card at random. Once you fulfill the promise, you share the experience in a blog, through social media or in a personal journal.

5. The Goodbye

You write your promise on a card and leave the card with a loved one who has passed away. Then, you fulfill your promise as a memorial to your loved one.

Many people may argue that promises are meant to be broken. However, the reality is that promises are not meant to be broken. Promises are meant to be kept, but it is your personal decision to fulfill or break the promises that you made. Promise cards are a physical reminder of the power of a promise and the profound effects of what happens when you take the initiative to truly commit to the promises that you make to others and yourself. Therefore, this year, I am writing my New Year's resolutions on Promise Cards to hold myself accountable and to remind myself throughout the year of the promises that I made to others and myself in the beginning of the year. There is power in promises that are kept and this year, I am determined in fulfilling my promises.