“ Maybe this year…we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives not looking for flaws, but for potential.”
— Ellen Goodman
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Resolutions are an important tradition for beginning the new year. They give us something to look forward to and to strive for. While this is a beneficial purpose, many of us, myself included, often make resolutions that we know we won’t be motivated to keep. Furthermore, many of the resolutions we repeatedly make are geared toward our flaws and imperfections. Body image, social status, and even our personalities are put under a microscope to be molded and tweaked to the specifications of society.
Now, I don’t know about you, but I no longer want to spend every year resolving to focus on my flaws and imperfections in an attempt to please others. I want to resolve to change things that matter, which is why I have compiled 5 New Year’s resolutions that are surefire to be fun, positive, and oh-so rewarding.
Resolve to Take Back Date Night
Relationships are very special. They’re a roller coaster of emotions that you hate at times, but you wouldn’t trade them for the world. On this roller coaster ride, it is very common for relationships to reach a state of stagnation, particularly in the category of date nights. Couples often stick to their usual status quo when it comes to restaurants, movies, and any other social activities. This can become very boring, and that is no way to spend your Friday nights. So this year, revamp your date nights with a mystery date. Every month, you and your significant other can take turns planning an extraordinary evening that will put all other date nights to shame. As for the single ladies, don’t feel left out. Grab your best girlfriends and make your next GNO a night to remember.
Resolve to Get Lost
I slightly disagree with J.R.R. Tolkien’s assertion that not all who wander are lost. I think that sometimes to truly wander, we have to get lost along the way. This year, I want you to wander the streets of your hometown or the wonders of the world and get completely and utterly lost. Get lost in the architecture. Get lost in the art. Get lost in the literature, and occasionally get lost in the rain. Getting lost is the only way we truly find ourselves and the adventures that lie beyond even the smallest hills.
Resolve to Love Yourself
In the girl world, insecurities are unceasing annoyances. I don’t think I’ve ever met a girl who isn’t insecure about something having to do with her self-image. So many times we feel like we have to change these imperfections in order to be accepted and loved by those around us. This is absolutely not the case because we are beautifully and wonderfully made exactly the way we are. Instead of fighting with our insecurities, let’s focus on all of the many things that make us lovely. Everyday when you get up, think of one positive thing about yourself. Write it down in your journal. Shout it from the rooftops. It doesn’t matter how you express it as long as you choose to believe it. Pretty soon, the world will be filled with love and will be lacking in insecurities.
Resolve to Escape the Ordinary
In this fast-paced world we live in, it becomes easy to overlook the little things in life. We tend to focus on the big things, and we spend our entire lives striving for these monumental moments. On these special days, our lives seem extraordinary and exhilarating. However, on a daily basis, our lives seem ordinary and mundane. Why should we settle for ordinary when extraordinary can be achieved every day? When we choose to focus on the little things, we escape the ordinary forever. Everyday, find something that’s special to you — whether it be a song, a quote, or a movie; the possibilities are endless. Find something and relish in the joy it brings you. Find happiness in your favorite things and discover that every day is meant to be extraordinary.
Resolve to Follow Your Dreams
We all have a dream. We all have something inside of us that we want more than anything else in the entire world. We go through life talking about achieving this coveted thing, but, as usual, life seems to get in the way. That stops this year. Life is too short to put off the things that truly matter. No matter the victories, defeats, and obstacles you face, make time to follow your dreams. Follow them to the highest mountains or to the deepest valleys. Follow them to the ends of the earth, and let them teach you about life and who you’re meant to be. Our dreams are immortal, but we only get one life to chase them. Start today.
I hope you have a Happy New Year, Germies! May it bring you everything you wish for and so much more.