A few years ago, I decided to stop my New Year's Resolutions, because they inspired me for about two weeks and then I either forgot about them or was no longer as dedicated. Sure, they say that promises are made to be broken, but if I'm making promises to myself and breaking them as well, what does that say about me? Therefore, the past few years, I've brought in the New Year with positive energy but without any expectations. However, as the New Year is becoming more and more of a reality, and I realize that my views and opinions have changed over the past couple of years, I've decided to give promising myself things in the New Year one more try. Here are the top five things that I am promising in the new year. Unlike the past, I've made them attainable, and hope that when I look back on this as I prepare myself for another 365 days, that I continue to make these promises.
1. I Promise to remind myself to live in the moment as much as possible
I want to emphasize "as much as possible," because I know that sometimes I will be so freaked out about the future that I won't even be capable of acknowledging what is happening in the present. However, I am accepting that now. I would love to always live in the moment but I also know who I am and how I am, meaning that would not be attainable. Nonetheless, in the new year, I want to take in every moment and make every second meaningful of whatever it is that I am doing. Considering the future, I'm bracing myself for an exciting year. Often, I bring myself down while having the time of my life, because I'm thinking about when it will all end. However, I want to push that to the back of my mind and focus on the moment and enjoy it.
2. I Promise to highlight something that I am grateful for every day
As a busy college student, or just a busy person, my great days can go downhill and my bad days can take a turn for the better. That being said, I know that I have something to be grateful for every day, even if it's "just" waking up in the morning! The point of the matter is that each day has a blessing. The key to a great year is realizing the greatness that comes with every passing day.
3. I Promise to cherish the people that surround me
Sometimes I'm so focused on what is going on in my life that I fail to appreciate and cherish the people that are there for me. Sure, I'll say "thank you" when someone has done something for me, but it isn't enough. As I reflect on the past year, I realize how under-appreciated some people may feel for their acts of kindness. To change that feeling, in the new year I would like to complete random acts of thankfulness, if that's even a thing. Things such as baking cookies, leaving a little note and a piece of candy on their desk or even treating them to dinner. I want to recognize and acknowledge people for what they have done for me, even if that was just asking me, "How are you?" and, "How are you actually?" It's the small things in life that make a huge difference.
4. I Promise to not beat myself up when I don't succeed at something
Life gets hard and the last thing that someone needs when they're already down is to be kicked by themselves. It is important to realize and accept that I am human and that everything does not work out the way that I would naturally hope for it to. On that note, in the upcoming years I promise to accept things for what they are and to always believe that everything truly does happen for a reason. Although I would like to believe that I could control my faith, I realize that sometimes that is not the case, which is why it is fate. The past is the past, so hakuna matata (what a wonderful phrase).
5. I Promise to love myself more
Throughout the years, I have gotten better at this one. However, there is always room for improvement. This one kind of goes hand-in-hand with the one above. Forget all of the "if you never love yourself, how can anyone else?" However, I know that when I feel confident and truly love who I am, my outlook and perspective on things is so much more positive. At the same time, I aim to stay grounded and use the love that I have for myself to motivate others to also see how wonderful they are.
Here's to an exciting year in the past, and an even more eventful year in the future.
