We are quickly approaching the month of June in 2017, and it is hard to believe that we have made it nearly halfway through the year. It seems as though we were just ringing in the New Year in January--watching the countdown and the ball drop on the television as the clock struck twelve, and cheering that the hellacious year of 2016 was finally over. The start of a new year tends to inspire optimism and hope for change, and many will set their own personal goals by making a list of resolutions. The idea of setting new year resolutions is great in that it will motivate a person to make positive steps forward in their life. However, people will far too often state their resolutions and put them on the back burner, or will initiate them for a few weeks then forget to continue or simply give up. Not only does this contradict the point of setting new year resolutions, but it is important to remember that a lot can happen over the course of a year and your life can take many twists and turns that call for a reevaluation of what your previous plans were. That being said, you can always change your course of action and create new objectives for yourself in order to adjust to where you are at this point in time.

By creating a list of mid-year resolutions, I am allowing myself to analyze where my life has brought me in the past few months, and to make decisions as to what I can do to improve in order to make the rest of my year worthwhile. Furthermore, setting goals more often--even every week, or every day--can help establish additional stability and encouragement in oneself to ensure you are where you want to be. Therefore, the following reasons illustrate mid-year resolutions that I plan to implement for my own personal improvement and growth:

1. Be healthy and whole.

Now, this isn’t your typical exercise-and-diet-routine resolution. By being healthy and whole, I mean that I want to make lifestyle changes that will improve my physical and mental wellness. I want to eat food that will more effectively nourish and do good for my body. I want to take more walks and get fresh air in order to clear my head and feel less stress. I want to engage in more activities for my self-care and to feel a greater wholeness and happiness because of it.

2. Practice mindfulness.

I want to be more attentive to my surroundings, and to acknowledge the beauty of my encounters and environment. Instead of mindlessly going about my daily routine, I would like to be more observant of the elements that contribute to my experiences that I would have previously overlooked or taken for granted. Increasing my bodily and emotional awareness will ultimately increase my level of comfort and acceptance with my choices and character.

3. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Instead of allowing perfectionism and over-thinking to overpower my work and my state of mind, I want to focus less on insignificant and unnecessary details and focus more on what is truly important--I cannot allow small, minor mishaps and changes to affect my calmness and content mood. It will take a consistent effort, but anxiety and constant worry will not continue to dictate my emotions and experiences.

4. Embrace change.

Change, for myself and many others, is rather intimidating and scary. I often would rather remain steady in what is familiar and safe to me as opposed to switching things up and anticipating an unpredictable outcome. Change can often disrupt a person’s composure and sense of security, however, much of this is unavoidable and can, in fact, be just what is needed. I want to change my old habits--stop resisting the inevitable and start making room for something new.

5. Take more risks.

Along with embracing change, I want to start putting myself “out there” and take more chances. Fear of change combined with doubt often prevent me from taking a step forward and trying something new, however, risk taking will allow my life guide me in different (and hopefully positive) directions. I want to go on more adventures, start following my heart, and be okay with the idea of failing if a risk is not to work out.

6. Learn to let go.

I have learned that trying to hold on to relationships, places, and things that I do not need are ultimately more toxic than constructive. Taking the step to finally let go and start focusing more on myself and what will benefit my overall happiness is of high priority, especially at a point in time where creating the best possible environment for myself is most crucial. Now, cue the Frozen theme song! ...Just kidding.