New year, new resolutions right? Making a list of New Year's resolutions may seem silly and tedious, but I actually think they're very valuable things to have. It's a great way to get a head start on what you want to say the year was like come December.
This time around, I sat down and really thought about my 2017. What about it was good and I want to continue? What about it do I want to improve in 2018? I truly believe this could be my year and it can be yours too. Here are 18 resolutions I have for 2018. Feel free to take a read and base my personal experiences on what you want to do for your 2018.
1. Travel more
This is probably one of my biggest goals for 2018. If you know me, I am always craving for adventure. From traveling to new countries to wanting to try new places in town, I am always looking to see what the world has to offer. Last year, I had the chance to travel quite a lot and I would love to travel just that much or even more.
When I studied abroad in Italy last summer, it really opened my eyes to the world. I saw so many incredible things and experienced life-changing events. It's only deepened my crave to travel even more and taught me proper travel techniques that I will need if I wish to travel even more. I want to travel to new cities, new states, new countries, new continents, everything.
2. Form more/closer relationships
I can't even begin to describe to you my personality. If you know me you know that I'm incredibly shy, but if you really know me you also know that I'm a huge people person. It's weird. I have many friends and close relationships because of how much of a people person I am.
But I also take longer to form these bonds because of that initial shyness. However, as I've gotten older, I've started to realize that maybe it's not necessarily shyness that gets in the way but rather it's turned into my insecurity that turns me away from forming that close bond faster.
I am always wanting to make more friends and deepen existing ones, but I always convince myself people don't like me as much as others or sometimes at all. This year I want to push those negative thoughts aside and just put myself out there to start forming friends/closer relationships.
3. Stop procrastinating (or at least less procrastinating)
All throughout life I was quite good at not procrastinating. I was always one step ahead. Then college happened. I've never been as involved and busy in my life till college which is what I think triggered the procrastination. I probably don't procrastinate as bad as I think I do, but when I'm so used to this one step ahead idea it makes me think I'm not doing enough. This year I want to learn how to balance not procrastinating and being one step ahead.
4. Respond to people
I have this horrible habit of not automatically reading notifications I get from my phone. I don't have read receipts on and the red numbers that rack up next to apps don't seem to phase me. This year I want to be more on top of it. Feel free to nag me till I respond.
5. Improve my style
All the time I am getting compliments on my style which is very flattering and I appreciate very much. But deep down, some days I actually don't like my style. Sometimes I think its too girly and involves way too many flowers. This year I would like to explore multiple different styles and wear what I feel makes me feel the most confident.
6. Take more photos
If you know me, I love taking photos. I'm always the one suggesting we take photos or you can always catch me taking photos of events. Surprisingly enough, I'm still convinced I don't have enough photos. I want to take more small pictures, capturing the little but important things.
7. Learn more music
Every music majors goal, right? Especially this music major. I just really want to expand my repertoire. For my career but also just for the love of music.
8. Focus on self-love
I'm constantly putting myself down or blaming myself for all the bad parts of life. No more. Sometimes you just need to be your own personal cheerleader.
9. Less focus on weight
Every year the goal is to always lose more weight. Although I want to stay healthy and at least maintain my weight, I'm tired of constantly pushing myself to do whatever it takes to lose weight. Sometimes it's even unhealthy to do so. I want to be confident in the body God gave me and if I'm really falling off the edge then I will push to be better, but for now I just want to appreciate what I have.
10. Attempt to be less overdramatic
If you know me, I'm probably one of the most dramatic people you know. Sorry about that, working on it!
11. Prove my worth
2017 was quite the year for ups and downs. There were times where I shined, but also times where I failed. Everyone makes mistakes. It's going to happen. But no longer am I letting my mistakes define me. I deserve better and I am much better than that. This year I want to prove my worth in multiple areas. Watch out world.
12. Learn how to do makeup better
There are so many people out there that learned how to do makeup from constantly watching YouTube videos and being truly dedicated to mastering makeup from a young age. I've never had that desire till now. I've always liked makeup, but figured I was doing good enough on my own.
I was never really taught how to do makeup. I started doing theatre and just learned from watching the other kids who knew what they were doing. This year I want to learn better techniques and get proper makeup.
13. Worry less about what other people think about me
Resolutions 13 and 14 are pretty much the same but so important. These two are vey big reasons why I am so insecure about myself. This year I just want to be myself and love what I am and have to offer.
14. Stop comparing myself to others
15. Accept defeat
Like I've said, 2017 was full of many ups and downs. I made some mistakes and sometimes you just need to own those mistakes and become a better person from those mistakes.
16. Stand up for myself
Although there are instances where you need to accept defeat, you also need to know when you are being played. I am always seen as the small guy or the nice guy. No more. I'm tired of letting people play with me because they think I'm too soft to do anything about it. This year I am going to stand up for myself more.
17. Do more small things with friends
College just gives us this culture that you should always be doing homework or you should be incredibly involved in clubs or you should always be going to a party on the weekends. But what about little things like getting coffee with friends or going out to a movie? This year I want to do all these things but in moderation.
18. Prepare for the future
It is crazy to think that 2018 is the year that I am going to start my senior year of college. It's so exciting yet terrifying at the same time. I want to focus on preparing for my future and what exactly I want to do after I graduate.