No matter where you spend your New Year's Eve, when the clock strikes midnight you can feel the excitement in the air. Everyone is caught up in the promise of a fresh start, ready to march into the new year armed with brand new resolutions and the slogan "New Year, New Me".
But by the time the snow melts and the novelty of the fresh start has worn away, resolutions become nothing but empty promises. So why do we continue to make resolutions if we know that we're setting ourselves up for failure?
I believe that we really do want to make positive changes in our lives, but the way we approach it on New Year's Eve makes these changes difficult to achieve. When we say "New Year, New Me" we are implying that there was something wrong with the person we were last year. The resolutions we continue to break are those based on the parts of ourselves we dislike. We resolve to lose weight or get better grades; and although we think those may be positive changes, all we are doing is focusing in on the parts of ourselves that bother us. Come New Year's Eve instead of reflecting on all the good things we have accomplished in the past year, we reflect on the resolutions we could not keep. So this year I've decided to step away from the negative and make three simple positive resolutions.
1. This year I resolve to give thanks.
I have a lot to be thankful for. Good friends, a loving family, the opportunity to go to school and so much more. Instead of only showing my gratitude come Thanksgiving I resolve to give thanks throughout the year. Whether it be by sending a card or a simple verbal "thank you", showing those around me how much I appreciate them and the opportunities they have given me should be a priority.
2. This year I resolve to give back.
There are so many ways that I can give back to my community. I resolve give back by volunteering, donating blood, or participating in charitable drives. Although it may not always feel like I can make a positive impact in the world, this is one small resolution that can make a huge difference.
3. This year I resolve to love myself.
I think that this resolution can at times be the hardest. I'm so used to focusing on the things I dislike about myself, on the mistakes I've made instead of my accomplishments. This year I've decided to start embracing who I am and instead of worrying about grades or the way I look. I need to let go of my insecurities and realize that I am enough. I resolve to worry about loving myself instead of worrying about other's perceptions of me.
So now it's your turn. I ask that instead of focusing on the negatives on New Year's Eve, try and make positive resolutions for the year to come. Instead of starting the year with the phrase "New Year, New Me", try starting this year with the phrase "New Year, New Perspective". Have a happy and healthy 2016 full of love, laughter and a whole lot of positivity.
