I had a friend ask me what my New Year’s resolution was a few weeks ago. My most instinctual reaction whenever I am asked that question each year is to roll my eyes and to say that I do not have one. After she asked the habitual question and I gave my inevitable answer, I gave more thought to what I actually wanted for the New Year.

I walked home from the Light Rail and I considered the purposefulness of making a resolution. What was the point, really? My argument every year, (and essentially still is), that it is important to live in the moment. What was the purposefulness of saying that I would eat better or exercise when I could evaluate each day and see what it was like?

As I got closer to my house, I did some self-reflection. What did I want for this year? Was there something that I was missing? I found an answer to my own question and it is positivity.

The New Year’s resolution naysayer is not reformed; do not be mistaken. I want to make a conscious effort to think more positively because I see why I should. Positive thinking is something that I aspire for but somehow do not always achieve. I am kind to people, (as much as possible, I suppose you can say), I am kind to myself, (debatably when I decide to treat myself with the second and third square of dark chocolate). Yet, I find myself gossiping. I find myself complaining. Yes, yes, we are human and we are wont to say and do things that we do not mean. Doing this bothers me, though; it bothers my conscience and I do not feel my best when I hear myself aloud.

In even just skimming this article, it very much resembles that I have made a resolution despite my years of saying that I never would. However, I still cannot say that I will not roll my eyes when someone asks me what my New Year’s Resolution is each year. We can make changes every day. There is not a deadline for changes, nor is there a particular time to implement them. I hope to achieve the goal I now have in mind.