Another year is over, and we're already a couple of days into 2017! Isn't it hard to believe?
A new year means many things; new chapters, new beginnings, and new opportunities for anything to happen. I look back at this past year and realize that a lot of things changed, and a lot of things didn't. Of course, there have been many years prior where I thought of a New Years Resolution but never followed through with it, this year maybe will be different. Here are a couple of resolutions I hope to achieve in the upcoming year.
1. To be comfortable in my own body, and to love myself regardless of what anyone else thinks.
This year in particular was one of the roughest years for me regarding my self confidence. I was so dependent of what other people thought of me, and I measured that with my self worth. If someone didn't like me, I automatically blamed it on myself. I thought it was my fault. I compared what I looked like to girls who were getting over five hundred likes on Instagram and I constantly thought, "why can I not be fat?" "why do I look like this and not like her no matter how hard I try?" In the upcoming year, I hope to be comfortable with who I am, and to LOVE who I am even if I'm rejected. I know deep down rejection means you can only become stronger and brighter, as well as more confident.
2. Leaving the people in 2016 who left me.
I lost people important to my life in 2016. Particularly, those who I thought would never leave in the first place. I still carry the lost relationships in my heart to this day. In 2017, I hope to let go of the ones who hurt me in the past, and to leave them in the past. They've walked out the door, and I hope to close the door.
3. Being strong.
I struggled with this one a lot in 2016. I let people walk all over me in certain situations. I never stood up for myself. I was too nice to everyone and let people take advantage of me because of my good heart. This year, I hope I can finally learn to say no.
4. To be more outgoing.
This is a big one! I'm a naturally shy person, and I tend to be awkward in social situations. I'd rather stay in my room and watch Netflix while eating a tub of ice cream than going to a party. This year, I hope to explore outside my room and make new friends. I have a great personality and I hope to make it known to the world.
5. Focus on more important things.
Whether it was freaking out over why I didn't get enough Instagram likes, or getting upset over the fact that my friends didn't invite me to hang out, or even wondering why that boy I liked read my message and never texted me back; I know I need to start focusing on the important things in life. Now that I'm in college, I know I need to learn to appreciate what matters; like my health, my family, my education, and my future career. In 2017, I hope to stop worrying about the little unimportant things, and I hope to start focusing on what really matters in my life.
6. To stop being so negative and smile more.
Time flies by way too fast. You don't realize what you have until it's gone. I started realizing it more this year. I'm eighteen in college, living on my own. I have a good education, a good family, good health, and a roof over my head. What is there to complain about? Life is BEAUTIFUL. The world is BEAUTIFUL And I know I'm blessed to have such an amazing life. In 2017, I hope to stop complaining about what I have and don't have. I also hope to stop using the expression "ugh kill me" or "I wanna die" every time I encounter something that I do not particularly like. I also hope to turn the frown I have on my face to a smile, every morning when I wake up.
7. Less social media!
THE BIGGEST ONE OF THEM ALL! It runs the world! It keeps us updated on who's posting what and what's going on twenty four seven! But I know I'm too caught up in it, and I'm constantly on my phone no matter what scrolling through Twitter or Facebook, answering back a text message or snapchat that I just got. This year, I hope to put the phone down more. Particularly, in situations like when I'm watching a movie with my family or going out to dinner with my friends, so I can focus on the moment and ONLY the moment at hand.
8. Write more.
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Writing has helped me express my emotions that I can't seem to figure out how to say through my mouth. Writing is what I plan to do for the rest of my life. This goes back to the above resolution of using less social media, I hope to put down the phone and write more, whether it's about my day, a poem about the rain outside my window, or a two hundred page story. Writing is also stress relieving for myself and I know for many others, and I hope to get more involved with it this year.
9. Work harder.
This goes for school and my job. In 2017, I hope to study hard and hit the books more often. This includes more reading. At times, I'm a lazy person and I don't want to do my homework or go to my four to nine shift, I'd rather be laying down watching television all night! Anyone would rather be doing that. But by getting my work done and studying hard I can get better grades and a better chance of getting an awesome job in the future. Working means I can also get a lot of money that I can save and spend for myself!
10. Going to the gym at least twice a week.
Healthy body equals healthy mind which equals a healthy life. I know this one is not as important to me as the rest but I know it will help me. Going to the gym during school and doing activities like running on the treadmill or pedaling on the bike has helped me forget about all the worries in the world! And it has helped me of course stay in shape and take off the calories that I'm eating away at my school's cafeteria that is OH SO GOOD! (I miss it a lot during Christmas vacation.) In 2017, I hope to go to the gym at least twice a week to keep myself in shape and to relieve the stress of every day life.
11. Finally, having the courage to fulfill these resolutions.
Isn't it?! I know in the past years I've made resolutions like these and never went through with any of them. In 2017, I hope to achieve all of them and become a better me in the process. And I hope you will be able to as well. Happy New Year.
