My inspiration for this article is the one and only: Kelly Clarkson. Wow, I bet you haven’t heard that name in a while. Before this moment, I hadn’t given a second thought about Clarkson. She did win the first title as America’s first American Idol back in 2002, but that was 15 years ago. She did sell over 15 million copies of her second solo album Breakaway, but that album has been long forgotten (except for the occasional car radio jam session when "Since U Been Gone" comes on). What I am trying to say is this: Clarkson had her reign of top hits. Since then, she has slowly faded away.

But, I am not blaming her for this. The music industry is and will always be in high demand of new, interesting, and never-thought-of-before songs. It was only fate that Clarkson was “Already Gone.” However, she made me realize something.

It was a troubling few weeks before this new year. As most times, I try to craft the most perfect and most applicable New Year’s Resolution—one that I can bug myself daily to accomplish. To me, it should be a priority to stay in good health, so I knew my resolution would not concern that area. As for school, making above-average grades is something I want and need to accomplish. And then it hit me—it took a full two weeks to conclude my decision.

I am going to be like Kelly Clarkson. She has been below the radar for a while, but she still fights to make something of herself. She is seen here and there for various appearances, but seems to be doing well with her husband and her children. I see a new degree of confidence in Clarkson, one that I want to strive to have. I have entered many new waters so far this year: I have taken on higher positions in my extra-curricular activities at UAB, I am travelling farther and farther into my nursing career, and I have grown older to realize the responsibilities that my life is soon to have. Confidence will be the key to my success.

So, in light of Clarkson’s rendition of “Grown-Up Christmas List,” (sorry, Amy Grant, I didn’t know this was your song) I decided to make my own entitled “My Grown-Up New Year’s Resolution.” This is the first year I have put more than a little thought into my life and what I want to make of it. So, I pray that my newfound confidence will serve me well in 2017.