It’s hard to believe that we are in the early stages of 2016. You've probably been asked a million times by friends and family, “What are your New Year's resolutions?” Recently, I wrote about how to enjoy your winter break minus the snow. Today I’m digging deeper. I’m talking about following through with those thoughts or desires of yours to make 2016 a memorable year. Let’s begin.
To start, the goal that immediately pops into my brain that everyone needs to start embracing is to not be afraid. I understand that some people are reserved and need to present life and all of the opportunities it presents us with caution. However, this year let your guard down and take the jump to do something that you’ve always wanted to do such as snowboarding. This will make you feel more confident and ready to tackle 2016 head on.
Another point along the lines of personal development is to eliminate searching for validation from others. We all search for this. We all ask others if this move in life is “good” or “bad” etc. This year, stop asking other people what you should be doing with your life. Who else knows you better than yourself, right?
Next on the list of goals is to travel to two new places this year. No, driving to your home doesn’t count. I mean travel to another city or state. I’m not saying travel to Morocco, but travel to a town in your state you’ve never seen or heard of before or take a road trip to another state. This experience will not only expose you to other cultures, it will also push you to be more independent.
That brings me to my next point: Learn to be independent. This is one of the most critical goals because independence, my friends, is the baby step to adulthood. Yes, we are in college. However, we are not really “in the real world” yet. We are taking four years to get our lives together. Now is your chance whether you are a freshman, sophomore, or senior who is about to graduate this May, to show the world what you have learned over the course of your college years. This is your time to gain the courage to manage yourself instead of your parents. Trust me, nothing will make you feel more accomplished and confident in yourself than becoming an independent person.
The last point that I think is necessary to this list is to slow down and enjoy life. Sounds kind of boring, right? What I’m getting at is you need to stop and smell the roses. Take a moment in your insanely busy lives to reflect on how much you’ve grown since 2015. Think about how many things you’ve accomplished. I could go on for days. This year, take a moment each week to reflect on your life thus far, even write everything down because I guarantee you you will shock yourself with the amount you’ve accomplished.
These are tips that may or may not work for everyone, and that’s OK. However, what I want everyone to take away from this piece is that resolutions are not meant to be followed for two weeks and then tossed aside. Analyze your successes and your failures and then evaluate on how you can improve. That way you too can make 2016 your year.
