New Year's Eve is one of the most magical times of the year, but I've never been sure which year New Year's belongs to. I suppose until the clock strikes twelve and the ball drops it is still the year we're all so ready to rid ourselves of - that would make sense anyway. When the "Happy New Years!" wishes start rolling in and our cell phones all stop working, that is what I consider property of the new year... What about you?
There is just something about New Year's that deludes us into believing that this year things will be different, exciting, new, revolutionary. Whether you will be ringing in 2014 in the quiet of your own home, maybe even sleeping right through it, or spending it with thousands of other people in a place like New York City, Miami, New Orleans, or San Francisco - it's hard not to get swept up into the optimism that only comes with a new year.
Changing the calendar, training your brain to write the new year instead of the old (although, if you're anything like me this will realistically take six months to accomplish), and as always... Resolutions. A resolution is defined as "a firm decision to do or not to do something." Gosh, that sounds so much easier than it is to actually follow through with, doesn't it? I always find myself setting New Year's resolutions, and this year is no exception to that rule. With January 1st, 2014 just a mere four days way, I have found myself in a little bit of a predicament... Just what is it this year that I will firmly resolve to do or not do?
In 2013, I have done more soul searching than I probably have in the prior eighteen years from 1994-2012, and I couldn't be happier about the person I'm becoming. New years are seen as a new beginning, a time to start over, and for the first time I don't feel that I need to start over at the beginning. My resolutions have morphed and transformed over time, and gone are the days that they consisted simply of "Be nicer to people", "Work out more", or even "Stop eating junk food."
These days, I understand the importance of realistic resolutions. I am goal-oriented, and it works best for me to have flexible and dynamic goals and resolutions I know that I can work to attain, or I'll never even try. My suggestion for you is to find out just the kind of person you are, and find out what works for you. I mean, maybe you do have the willpower to just say "I'm going to the gym more," and go out and do just that. As you'll see through my resolutions for 2014, it's going to take some time to be able to say I kept my resolutions. Maybe I won't be able to fulfill all of them, but you can bet your last dollar I'm going to do my best.
1. Work to be an overall healthier person
Health, to me, takes many shapes. This resolution encompasses my desire to start working out more, cut soda out of my diet as much as possible, and even work toward better mental health. I word this particular resolution the way I do, because by having more facets to work toward, if I miss a day at the gym, or suck down a Diet Coke, I won't be tempted to give up on it. This one is pretty generic, but in the end, who doesn't want to be happy and healthy?
2. Let myself be overcome with the grace of southern charm
"Patience is a virtue." We've all heard it, but it's time for me to take it to heart. I've been working very hard the past few months to be more patient and understanding about things I can't change, but it will always be a work in progress with room for improvement. Part of this also involves working toward being less shallow. I always have, and always will, loathe being associated with that word - but, I'm a female and I'm honest. We've ALL been shallow, whether you care to admit it or not. I want to change my outlook, and see the beauty in everything, and everyone.
3. Cut ties with my need for social media
I'm Generation-Y. Social media is our kryptonite. I'm tired of sitting at dinner with my friends, and not talking to any of them because we all (myself included, regrettably) are buried too deeply in our iPhones to acknowledge the presence of each other. On a trip with a group of my best friends, almost all of our phones died, and it was the strangest thing... We actually.. Enjoyed each others' company? Going deeper with this one, it kind of ties back into #1. Social media causes unnecessary stress and has been known to bring major blows to my self-image. I accept my flaws, but I also know that no one can make me feel inferior without my consent (Thanks, Eleanor), and it's time to stop consenting.
4. Keep a journal
I'm a writer, I'm a feeler, I'm a nostalgic. I won't hoodwink myself into truly believing I will write in it religiously, feverishly scribbling each and every aspect of my days each night by a glowing candle. As romantic as that sounds to my inner scribe - just no. I do, however, want to someday be able to look back at these years and remember the little things, the nights and the friends and the experiences that fall just below the horizon.
5. Be more honest with my feelings
This is a HUGE thing for me. For entirely too long, I was a pushover. For those of you who know me pretty well, you probably think this is the biggest joke I've ever told... It's not a joke, there's no punchline. For as feisty and headstrong as I am, I'm non-confrontational to the max. The past few months I have come around to this fact, and have become a little more assertive about my feelings. I've lost "friends" and other people close to me because they felt I changed, when really I was just standing up for myself. Whether it be family, friends, work, strangers, it's time for me to make my voice heard. I'm tired of what if, and I'm in need of some oh well, some at least I tried.
There they are, my five resolutions for 2014. I encourage you to set some resolutions for yourself, ones that are worthwhile and meaningful to you - not anyone else. Don't just ask 2014 to be the best year yet, go out and make it the best for yourself. It will be worth it, I promise.
