Time passes faster and faster with each year that comes and goes. It seems the older I become, the speed on the hour glass increases as well. With years flying by in a blink an eye, it seems ‘New Year Resolutions’ are harder to accomplish while keeping up with the hustle and bustle of life. So, in the year 2017 I propose that the best way to change for the new year is in qualities, not quantity. This year I am going to create qualities I want to improve within myself rather than measurable expectations for myself. With this way of thinking, I will have the whole 365 days to gradually progress in these areas of my life:

1. Patience

I find myself struggling to have patience with people. In 2017, I want to improve my tolerance for situations and individuals I cannot control. This will take willingness to step out of my own needs and logically analyze the means of every situation.

2. Efficiency

I know I am not the only guilty college student that has finished a paper hours before the deadline. As the next semester begins, Spring 2017, I am going to try to not put off my assignments as long. Maybe turn my phone off in the library to make my time there more productive. All in all, I want this life quality to show in my school work in a timely and effective matter.

3. Acceptance

Accepting the things that I cannot change is often the most bothersome part of my life. In this next year, I will work on finding peace in the situations that I have no control over. This will create less anxiety over things that should not be m main priority.

4. Self Confidence

Not to say I have no self-confidence, but in 2017 my hopes is that I will become increasingly more confident in abilities and self as a whole. Along with this increase, I wish to be more comfortable and not seek the approval of others. Self-love is always an area of importance in any individual’s life.

5. Positivity

It is easy to complain about what is going wrong in life. I often catch myself nagging on the things that I should be grateful for: my job or school work. I should feel lucky to be employed and attending a prestigious university. In this new year I want to be more positive about all aspects of my everyday routine.

6. Perspective

Sometimes I tend to live in my own bubble attempting to chug along with each day. However, this often blocks the outside issues that the people around me are facing or things that are happening in society. This lack of observation can even block me from new learning experiences and challenges that I can endure. With this new year, I want to step outside my box and perceive the world from different views. Ultimately, in hopes that these new perceptions will make me a more empathetic person.

7. Memory

I am the first to admit that I have a terrible memory. But, I want to remember this year and remember the qualities that I need to improve upon this year. I hope to remember this year in grave details: the good, the bad, and the positive change with in it. I want to find the small moments of 2017 and cherish them. Year 2017 is going to be one I remember fully and completely.

Here is my list. My list of things I want to improve within myself this year. They aren’t exactly resolutions, but gradual expectations for myself in hopes that I become a little bit better of a person than I was in 2016.

What’s on your list?