Laura: I know not many people look forward to making New Year's resolutions, but it's something I've always enjoyed. It's a time to refresh one's life, a New Year, New You sort of thing. The start of a new year is a great time to reassess your life. What went well the past year and what could have gone better? How could I have been better, and in what ways did I grow and improve as a person? Self-improvement is often at the forefront of my mind. I know it may sound cheesy, but I want to improve myself to become the best Laura I can be. I don't stress about this as everyone has things they could improve upon in their lives, but I have decided that I have the choice to either stay stagnant or strive to live the life I want to live. Therefore, this time of year is one that gives me much to think about.
This year my biggest resolution is to overcome my fear of flying. That last one is a biggie. Unlike many other phobias, it isn't one that can easily be dealt with through exposure therapy. I've had this phobia since college when I was on a boring hour-long flight. The person next to me had a flying phobia, and I somehow took on that fear. I'd flown many times before without issue, but after that flight, I've only flown twice, ten years apart, and both experiences were terrifying. I make myself sick I'm so afraid, and I don't sleep for days before the trips. But this summer I am forcing myself to go to Hawaii with my husband because we have free vacation points at a timeshare. Who can pass up an opportunity like that? It's also important to me that I show my children that they should face their fears instead of hiding from them, so I'm using myself as the perfect example.
A book that has helped me along the way to being a better person is The Happiness Project. It is about a woman whose goal is to become happier by trying a different technique every month. Her life isn't exactly relatable to most of us (she lives in NYC and is married to someone very wealthy), but her approach and way of thinking about happiness made me realize I was doing things that didn't make me happy. It allowed me to be more true to myself and who I am.
Kris: I learned a long time ago that the harder I try to complete a resolution, the more likely I am to resent it or just fail altogether. What I try to do now is focus on the things that brought me warmth and happiness the year before and continue doing those activities even more. Getting lost to the music playing on my headphones, or checking out new art techniques and materials, staying up late on Fridays and doing a shared puzzle online with my besties-these are all things that helped to keep me afloat in 2021, and are what I want to continue to enjoy in 2022.
I do try to give myself a project or two to get done by the end of the year, if only to prove I can get SOMETHING accomplished for myself, that is just for me. This year I am getting my small study/dressing room in order. Even if I have to drown for a while in the mess that is an overstimulating clothing collection, I am going to turn that room into my haven. From perfect lighting, to the perfect vanity and velvet armchair, I can picture it already: 2022, the year I get my ultimate closet and dressing room. I guess it wouldn’t be such a bad title for the year.
Most importantly, I am going to try and remember to be good to myself. It is easy to get bogged down in the negative malaise of recent events, but you don’t have to take it into yourself. Instead, it is time to truly start letting go of some of the things that you have no power to change or alter. I hope everyone can join in on this. Nothing in this world is worth living for, if you don’t feel like it is allowing you to thrive. And I want to thrive in 2022.
Ashleigh: First off, let’s all collectively bring our good juju together to hope for a better year! So, I am not a New Year’s resolution type person, because honestly when I do I break them within the first week. For example, I told myself in 2022 I would limit my trips to Starbucks to once a week. Well, let’s just say that isn’t going too great.
Instead of focusing on resolutions that will ultimately fall apart in a matter of a few weeks I instead focus on generalized things about myself or my life that I can improve on. LIke Kris, I’ve been focusing on sprucing up my home, because after a long day at work coming home to a cozy, clean environment is just what I need. I’ve already made strides in this goal beginning with the piles of trinkets and novelty items that have been in totes in my garage for far longer than I would like to admit. I’ve always found that my mood is greatly improved if I come home to a clean and tidy environment.
Along with cleaning my home, I’m going to also work on improving myself. These past few years have been rough on us all and personally I’ve got in the habit of focusing too much on events in my life beyond my control. It’s easy to get bogged down with these types of things. But, I’ve come to the realization in these first few weeks of 2022 that when it comes to things or events in our lives we can’t control, instead we should direct our attention on things that we can control.
Cheers to an excellent year and never stop improving yourself!
Kylee: The past few years have been a tough one for all of us collectively. I personally have had my fair share of ups and downs, laughter and tears throughout 2021.There has been a lot of loss through these strange times whether that be lost time, friendships, pets, or the normal day-to-day life I was previously familiar with. It has been difficult, but it has also given me the opportunity to grow and learn. Going forward, I hope to really take time to appreciate the current moment rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. All we have is the time we are currently living in, and that can be really beautiful if we allow it to be. I hope to cherish the time I have with my loved ones and try not to be hard on myself or the people I encounter. We all are individually going through a lot, so I will try to keep this in mind. Patience, kindness, and compassion (not only for others but for ourselves) can go a long way.
I hope you have a wonderful year and allow yourself to enjoy the small things every single day. You deserve it.
Oscar: First, decide what it is that you'd like to turn around in your life. Then pick a day. Any day. And begin. All decisions come with a bag of pros and cons. What makes a decision a good decision is the effort you put behind it to make it a success. Last year, I decided to opt out of media news. With that, I gained headspace, a measure of peace of mind, and extra time to allocate to things that really matter to me. In December, I tackled another long-time goal of mine: to explore the universe of digital art. Within a month I created seven new pieces. Something that painting traditionally would've been impossible for me to do. Working digitally also sped up the process of uploading images to my website and promoting them through social media. Daily small goals are enjoyable. They give you a super boost. Focus on quality versus volume. Reading, gaming, and watching a movie all at the same time sounds like fun, but it can be exhausting. Pick one instead, and enjoy it thoroughly. One at a time. Have you been trying to get in shape for some time now with little or no results? Try working out 15 minutes daily, not too hard, not too easy. The goal is consistency. Give your body an offer it can't resist and changes will come. By setting up goals and putting the effort to turn them into reality you'll notice that going through life will feel like driving through a scenic route. You plotted the course, now enjoy the view.
Taylor: A lot of times we stress about having to be new and shiny and perfect in the New Year, but while challenging yourself to accomplish your newfound goals remember you are phenomenal and loved just the way you are, and even if you can’t accomplish all goals you initially set, you’re still you and that’s good enough. Sometimes we’re too hard on ourselves, so while you push yourself to do better, be better, live better, don’t forget to be gentle and loving with yourself in the process. I’m rooting for you!
From all of us at Union County Libraries, Happy New Year!
Go out and be great, because that is what you are!
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