Each year, I make a New Year’s resolution list, but this year, I am taking a new approach on my resolutions. Here are some of the resolutions that I have included on my list. Some of these are quite challenging, while others may seem simple, but I urge you to add a few of these on your list for this upcoming new year. Happy 2018!

1. Stop living for the weekend

Week by week, I hear so many people talk about how they cannot wait for Friday to roll around. People grumble at Monday coming around and summoning the unwanted work week. Why is it so hard to enjoy the other days of the week? Why cant we start enjoying a Tuesday instead of a Friday? Stop living weekend to weekend, and start living during the week. Have a taco Tuesday night instead of wishing hum day would roll around.

2. Do something for yourself

This challenge is a rather hard one for me. I am a perfectionists and always want assignments and projects completing early. I spend many of my nights studying and making sure lesson plans are complete. Yes, these things are good things to do, because without completing them, I would be failing college. But, I spend so much time and effort on school and all the little trivial things that I have to complete,I forget to take time for myself. When we take time to do something for ourselves, we start the day the right way. Maybe wake up five minutes earlier then you normally do, and sit and enjoy a warm cup of coffee or listen to your favorite song. Whatever it is, take time for yourself.

3. Celebrate your accomplishments

Often time for school assignments, I am just happy to get them over with. Maybe instead of moving on to the next reading assignment, watch a movie or take a bubble bath and celebrate yourself and your accomplishments.

4. Be thankful

There is always something to be thankful about, and sometimes, the selfish people we are, look at our lives and find something to complain about. Instead of complaining that you have to wake up and go to class every week, be thankful that you are able to receive an education.

4. Love others

This is so important. We are called to love one another as we love ourselves, but many times I feel that we put this on the back burner. Start loving the people in your life. Buy your best friend a coffee the next time you go on a coffee date or pay for a stranger’s meal.

5. Go explore nature

This is a rather easy one for me, since I love five minutes from Folly Beach. Go enjoy nature every once in a while. Watch a sunset or a sunrise. Go for a walk in a state park, or sit in the sand and watch the waves crash into the shore.

6. Be healthy

I am not saying that you need to become a workout fanatic, but being healthy is so important. Take time to take care of your body! Drink some water, eat some vegetables, and go for a walk or run each week. When we take time to take care of our body, we feel so much better about ourselves.

7. Call the people you love

Today’s generation would rather tweet, text, or post a picture about a person they love. Rather then doing this for likes and retweets, call someone you love and tell them you love them and are thankful for them. You never know ho much it will mean to them.

8. Travel

Go travel the world. Im not saying you need to go out of the country to travel and see the world. This could be as easy as going on a road trip and discovering a new place you have never been to, but travel.

9. Volunteer

I have such a big heart for volunteering. Giving up your own time to help someone is truly such a reward. It can be as simple as bringing a meal to someone or reading with a child once a week. I have learned so many life lessons just through my time volunteering. It is truly rewarding.

10.Read a devotional

Whether you are having the worst day of your life, or the best day of your life, take five minutes in the morning to read a simple devotional. Often times, I find that reading a devotional is just what I need to hear in the morning, whether it be something encouraging or a lesson that I can apply to my life.

11. Write

I love writing, but I seem to not be able to find the time to do so. By joining the Odyssey, it has given me time to do what I love. The Odyssey has challenged me and grown me in so many ways in just the few months I have been a part of it.

12. Find yourself

I have gone through three years of college experiences, and I am still finding myself. Do things that challenge you. Life offers so many opportunities to learn about yourself in ways that often times we cant see. Whatever you do this year, try to find who your true self is and do not change that. Embrace who you are and know yourself.

I hope that you find these resolutions ones that can be accomplished in a year. Here's to a new beginning in 2018! Happy New Year!