That sounds sarcastic. Let me try again.
For years I tend to use January 1st as a day to look over my previous resolutions, wallow about how many I didn't accomplish, then start setting "new" resolutions that look amazingly similar to the previous year's set and hope that this year I'm going to be more successful. This has been an ongoing cycle for many a year and it's time to stop.
2016, for many, seemed to be an incredibly rough year - at least based on what was posted on social media. For me, the year was much like learning to ride a bike without training wheels; I feel a lot and got a bit banged up. The problem is that if I focused on all the memories of falling and getting hurt, I would never again ride the bike.
Sure this year has been nothing by a giant, painful learning curve - but a learning curve means I am growing and improving. 2016 was also filled with a lot of positive things, too. I graduated with a MASTER'S DEGREE and got ENGAGED on the same day!! There are two positives right there!
--> I got my first teaching job!
--> I had knee surgery that will allow me to run marathons when I am healed.
-->I'm making progress on paying off my student loans.
-->I've actually started to write a FREAKING NOVEL!
-->I started a booktube and bookstagram account, met some really cool people world wide, and started an online book club with them.
2016 had a lot more positives that I gave it credit for during the actual year. (I do think that part of my negative mindset comes from how often I'm on social media. Time to limit that...)
So, what are my resolutions for 2017 then? Are there things I want to change about myself? Always. Things I want to accomplish? Of course! However, one thing that I have noticed every year with my resolutions is that, for me, there is something about saying "I have to do this... " that turns things I am more than excited to do into a chore, and I lose momentum. This year, I'm going to try something different.
2017 Resolutions
3. Read 30 books.
(A minimum of 12 of these books must be written by an author that is diverse in some way. )
2. Become more consistent.
(I love to plan - I hate to do.)
1. Be happy.
(Reflect on the positives. Do what I want to do because I have the privilege and drive to, not because I have to. Spend more time offline than online. Enjoy people and places I find myself with and in. Be willing to say "no" to things I don't want and "yes" to new, exciting things. )
I want 2017 to be GREAT! (I mean #thebighittwedding is happening, so obviously it will be!) But for it to be great, I must start with a great mindset. It's not going to be easy, especially with being a naturally pessimistic person, but I have to. I have to for me.
In the words of Switchfoot, "Why would I wait to die to come alive?"
Happy 2017, readers!
Until next time,
Kaity
