My New Year's Resolutions

I am still a sucker for News Years Resolutions.

I love the feeling of starting a new year. For me, it is a time to change and correct bad habits that had built up in the previous year. Obviously, making resolutions is easier than maintaining resolutions. But this year, I am more motivated than ever to keep up with better habits.

Here are some that I'll be focusing on in 2020...

1. Health

This is broad, I know, but health is something that I constantly neglect to focus on, even though it is probably what I need to prioritize. Too often do I find myself getting into healthy phases. Basically, I'll have spurts where I'm super crazy about being healthy- I workout everyday, eat well, drink a lot of water, etc. And then suddenly, I wake up one morning and it's like I snap out of the phase. I neglect any form of exercise that causes me to sweat, I eat whatever the hell I want, and probably won't have a sip of water all day. This year, I want to focus on moderation. AKA balancing my healthy habits with my unhealthy habits. I know that by not depriving myself of rest days from the gym and the occasional carb-heavy meal, I can have a healthy lifestyle, and not just a healthy phase.

2. Volunteer

Low-key, I actually love to volunteer. Yes, of course I love it because it's so rewarding to give your time to something that needs it, but unlike most people I actually find volunteering to be fun. I have vivid memories of me being a young child and asking my friends to come to the park with me so we could pick up litter. Obviously, nobody wanted to accompany me on that, but it was worth a shot. I feel like, as a college student, I make excuses about "not having time" to give back or volunteer. But when I say "volunteer", I don't mean dedicating every weekend of my life to help pick up trash at a park. It can be little things, like picking up litter if I see it on my way to class, donating old clothes that don't fit me anymore to churches or schools, or raising money for causes and organizations that I feel passionate about.

3. Patience & Gratitude

I didn't realize I had a problem with this until recently. I noticed myself getting agitated at stupid little things. Like when the lady doing my nails took 2 hours instead of 1, or when I didn't have an outfit to wear for New Years Eve, or when my mom was taking too long to get ready and I was really hungry. I mean seriously, this is the definition of #firstworldproblems and it makes me sick to my stomach to even type this out. I know that I am unbelievably blessed, and for that I am so grateful. But sometimes, when I get frustrated, it's like I forget to look at the big picture and realize how small or unimportant the "problem" is. In 2020, I will learn to take a step back, take a deep breath, know that I am exactly where I am supposed to be, and treat people kindly no matter what the situation is.

4. Phone Usage

I have a feeling that everyone 30 years old and under should take upon this resolution. Too often do I catch myself, and my friends and family, scrolling on their phones at the dinner table. Sometimes I will look up and everyone is on their phone. I don't remember where I read it, but someone described our generation as the generation that is "together but still lonely". And this is so tragically true. I mean, my whole family will be reunited at a restaurant after my brother and I have just come home from college. Obviously we have so much to say, so many stories to tell, so many things to catch up on, but still we're all sitting on our phones. Together, but alone. Why do I allow this small handheld device control my entire life and my relationships with other people? In 2020, I will make a point to leave my phone at home more, not worry about if the boy I like texted me back, and spend time catching up with people face-to-face and not through their Instagram feed.

The thing about my 2020 resolutions is that they aren't these major, dramatic lifestyle changes. So, sorry if you're disappointed about that. They're little things that I know will be easier to maintain and will have me feeling happier and more accomplished, because they are resolutions that are actually realistic.