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This New Year, Don't Make A Resolution

Be you. Don't change for a calendar date.

Elizabeth Heinmiller
Dec 28, 2015
Misericordia University
19
This New Year, Don't Make A Resolution

This year, my New Year's resolution is to not have a New Year's resolution.

Every year, I make a New Year's resolution. It's usually something cliché: "Go to the gym more." "Try not to care about what other people think." "Eat healthier." The list goes on. The only problem is that I can never keep these promises to myself. I tell myself that I will make a plan; I create schedules trying to fit gym time in; I amp myself up to eat gluten-free meals; I go through extraordinary measures to convince myself to do something I'm not 100 percent willing to do.

This year I say, enough. No more. I promise myself to only do things I feel are right in the moment. I promise myself a relaxed schedule. I promise myself that I won't try too hard. I promise I will be me, and I will be the best me I can be.

I am going to be a good friend. I am going to work hard at my studies. I am going to go to the gym when I feel like going to the gym. I don't need a new year to try to be a better person. I don't need a ball to drop in Times Square. I don't need a social norm to tell me when I should change my life around.

I am going to change my life when I feel it needs to be changed. I know what's important to me, and I know what works for me. I know when I need to care what people think of me, but I'm not going to change myself because of that.

I know who I am. I know I am the type of person to overthink situations. I know that I care what people think of me, but I also know it doesn't actually matter. I know that I don't enjoy running or gluten-free food. I know I enjoy the company of my friends. I know that my family is one of the most important parts of my life. I know that school is what I am good at, and I know that I can also do better. I know when to stop pushing myself. I know what I will keep up with, and I know what I will let slip away. Jan. 1 is not going to change that; 2016 is not going to change that.

So, I challenge you: this new year, don't make a resolution. Don't make a promise you can't keep. Make a promise to stay true to yourself. Make a promise to learn your flaws and learn your strengths. Make a promise to turn yourself into the best you that you can be. Make a promise to love those who surround you and those who make you happy.

Be you. Don't change for a calendar date.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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