Okay, I'll admit it. 2016 has not been the best year and I know a majority of people will agree with me. It was definitely the year of unexpected surprises. We have a new president, the Chicago Cubs finally ended their World Series drought, the Olympics had some surprising victories. There was good and most definitely some bad as there were mass shootings and deaths across the country and the world. 2016 was indeed a crazy year.
Personally, I have went through a lot throughout the year, physically, mentally, and emotionally. It really hasn't been an easy year. I was able to achieve some resolutions that I made at the beginning of this year. My classes at school are getting intense as I inch closer to graduation. Despite that, I studied even more and my grades are getting higher. I have gained some new friends and I have lost some friends. I have gotten a new job and gotten even closer with my family.
There is one resolution, however, that I was unable to achieve this year: loving myself. Throughout the year I have dealt with many struggles from my ankle injury that resulted in surgery, my perfectionism and anxiety kicked in several times throughout the school year when it came to my music and grades; in other words, I never give myself credit and I don't love myself the way others can.
While others are aiming for specific resolutions like "No sugar diet" or "I will look for a job as CEO," I am aiming to love myself more.
I will take care of myself better. I will be nicer to myself. I will do things that make me happy. I will be more forgiving of my own mistakes. I will give myself more credit than I usually give. I will be more confident. I will love myself better.
I saw a quote a while back that read, "If someone asked you to list all of the things that you love, how long before you would say yourself?" How long would it take? So many of us are so focused on loving the people and things around us that we forget to love ourselves. We forget to take care of ourselves. We forget to do nice things for ourselves.
The results of loving yourself better are far-reaching. When you love yourself better, you love everyone around you better as well. If you aren’t happy with yourself, you cannot be happy with anyone else. If you aren’t happy with yourself, you cannot show kindness, love, or gratitude in the way that you should.
So, in 2017 I do not resolve to go to the gym more, but I do resolve to exercise, because it makes ME feel good. I do not resolve to give up carbs, but I do resolve to eat well and share meals with the people I love, because it fulfills ME. I do not resolve to get all A's, but I do resolve to work my hardest in school, because it makes MY future brighter (plus, I'm graduating in 2017 and my goal is graduate school so this one is definitely top priority). I resolve to do things that fill me up. I resolve to take care of myself. I resolve to love myself better. I resolve to make 2017 my year.
