New Year, New You?

"Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one." – Brad Paisley

In the New Year, who do you want to be? Many people make resolutions, goals that they’ll try to achieve throughout the year. Some resolutions include working out, eating healthy, reading more, or simply finding new hobbies. The New Year is the perfect time to work on these resolutions, as it gives us a chance to start fresh. How are you going to embrace the New Year? 

Getting started on new goals may be hard for some people. A good first step is to take some time to brainstorm and write down all ideas that come to mind on a piece of paper. Then you can go through the list and decide which resolutions get to stay and which ones won’t. I personally commit to keeping this paper with me or in a spot where I will regularly see it. This helps me remember what I’m working towards and gives me the motivation and discipline needed to fully lock in for this year. Some people like to make excuses and decide it’s “too late” to start when it's only February. Don’t be that person;  you can start on your goals whenever, and maybe even finish them before the end of the year.

“Discipline is the bridge between what you want now and what you want most.” -Abraham Lincoln

Motivation doesn’t change you; Discipline does. Change doesn’t come from that 3 am motivation to get out of bed and do some pushups, because that will wear off, and eventually you’ll go back to doomscrolling. Discipline is doing something even when you don’t want to. For example, I don’t always want to wake up early and go for a run, but I do because I know that it’s better for me. Of course, you need a good balance between the two. Too much discipline will leave you burned out, and too much motivation will make it easy to miss that next workout or keep playing on the phone. You can not expect change to come from a foundation that is strong one minute and crumbling the next. 

"The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new." – Chuck Palahniuk

Making changes is hard, but the New Year is the perfect time to make the hard changes that can build into the best version of yourself, which may start with resolutions and fresh hobbies. Resolutions and changes might be difficult to decide, but they could be almost anything! Resolutions might include becoming healthier with more vegetables, going to the gym more, or maybe even deciding to be dedicated to reading more books. 

Possible Resolutions:

     1.Reading more books - Reading more books is a wonderful change that you could make to create a better you, which could potentially increase your vocabulary as well as create a better work ethic. 

2.Eating more vegetables - As hard as it may be for some people to complete, eating more vegetables can create a healthier lifestyle that will benefit you in the long run. Also, completing this difficult yet rewarding task will help you become stronger and ready for any challenges that come your way. 

3.Being more organized - Being more organized can help you be more prepared for tests and obstacles that you will meet. By fulfilling this resolution of being organized, it will ensure that the productivity and efficiency levels of your work increase, and it might even reduce any stress because you’re ready and organized. 

4.Drinking more water - Drinking more water is crucial for your health, and some people don’t realize it, but you might not be drinking enough water for healthy standards. Therefore, the “new” you might want to drink more water, as it's a very impactful New Year’s resolution. 

5.Limit screen time - As we come to a New Year, so many people are overusing their technology in a destructive manner that can leave their brains damaged, and many people are easily distracted due to the overuse of technology. In order to be the best version of yourself, consider managing your time you spend on social media and instead choose to spend your time outside in our beautiful community. 

As a New Year’s resolution, it’s a common tradition to choose a new hobby that symbolizes a fresh start in the new year, but there are so many fantastic hobbies to choose from! What would you choose for the New Year?

Popular Hobbies:

1.Cooking/Baking - Cooking is a wonderful hobby to take up, and it’s a hobby where you can explore flavors and create new recipes, and make fusions of sensational flavors that everyone can enjoy! Additionally, baking is a way for you to make delicious, sweet treats that are always enjoyable and also perfect for gifts. 

2.Reading - Reading is a sensational way to go when choosing a hobby because it’s a fantastic way to leave reality and dive deeper into fantasy lands and mysterious cities that are full of superheroes, villains, magical creatures, and much more!

3.Crafting - Crafting is a great way to kick start your creative side, starting with many activities such as sewing beautiful bags and blankets, or even crocheting cute keychains, maybe painting a gorgeous landscape of a forest, and that’s just the beginning of a crafty adventure. 

4.Gardening - Gardening is another amazing way to start a new year with planting fruits and vegetables, and it also encourages responsibility when it comes to watering and nurturing the plants. 

Overall, there are many interesting and fantastic hobbies that you might want to consider taking up to make a “new” you in this New Year. Many of these hobbies are simple, yet they can make a difference in your life. These beneficial changes, such as reduced stress, increases in time management skills, and a daily use of creativity, can start in this New Year, with a “new” you and new hobbies. 

Are you ready to be a new you for the New Year? This New Year is going to bring a lot of changes, and some of those changes can be your choice! Now you know what to do to make your vision a reality, so it’s time to take charge of the New Year and get started on the best version of yourself!

Written By: Anastasia Biniasz and Madison Lester

Edited By: John Stratton and Rylee Higashi