Skip the typical New Year resolutions; here are pledges to make instead

Another chance to get it right? I hope so. 

It’s that time of year again when everything seems possible, and most of us take a hard look at ourselves in the mirror, thinking, “Come on! You can do better!” Be it aiming for a better job, better physique or a better lifestyle, there are at least a couple of things we all want to ‘upgrade’ about ourselves to become the best possible version of who we are.

But this year, I want to do it differently.

I DON’T WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT, BUT I WANT TO BE HEALTHY

Gone are the days when I would dream of looking like a magazine cut-out. Being a Size 2 model doesn’t necessarily equate with ‘more beautiful’ or ‘happier’. Instead, this year I want to be healthy; I want to enjoy food without obsessing over every single calorie that makes its way to my thighs. I want to look good, but more importantly, I want to feel good.

I WON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF 

I want to be able to fully accommodate ideas and make room for more. I don’t want to ‘read between the lines’; I want to look at the lines as they are and capture their true meaning. Our lives have become too cluttered with words that have no meaning and hidden messages that conceal how we truly feel. This year, I refuse to let anxiety get the better of me as a result of overthinking and stressing about problems that don’t even exist. Yet.

I WANT TO DREAM LESS AND DO MORE

In a social media stratosphere made up of bloggers, influencers and hundreds of sponsored posts that subconsciously dictate our lives, I refuse to follow someone else’s dream. I will not follow the path that’s being force-fed to me ... instead, I will force my way through the broken road until I reach my destination. I’ll create that app I’ve always wanted to build, I’ll take that job that pays less but makes me happier, and most importantly, I won’t say no to God’s plan.

SPEAKING OF SOCIAL MEDIA, I WANT TO BE MORE SOCIAL OFFLINE

We’ve accepted our smartphones as part of our human anatomy. This year I pledge to be less attached to my phone and more attached to my friends, family and God. I will work on my relationships harder than my Instagram following.

I WILL LEARN TO SAY ‘NO’

Saying ‘yes’ more is an overrated resolution. I will not fall victim to peer pressure; I’m not 16 anymore. I will learn to say no to anyone or anything that goes against my beliefs and faith. Next year will be about learning to differentiate between friends and foes; it will be about surrounding myself with good companionship that pushes me to do more good rather than more harm.

I WANT TO QUIT, BUT I’LL ALLOW MYSELF DAYS TO MESS UP

Procrastination. Gossip. Smoking. Complaining. Lying (and no, white lies are still lies). Being a bad friend/daughter. Staring at my phone for hours. Spending money on things I don’t need. Being late ... always. Toxic relationships. Harmful situations. Cheesecake.

There will be days when I mess up, and that’s okay.

I DON’T WANT TO JUST EXIST, I WANT TO CO-EXIST

I want the world to learn how to exist in harmony despite our differences and ideologies. I want to learn how to accept others who lead different lifestyles before asking them to accept mine. Love trumps hate. Always.

I WANT TO DO MORE TO GIVE MORE

I want to give back and change someone’s life, whether it’s by helping them find a job, giving them a push forward and the confidence they need to pull through hardships, or even by buying them dinner when they haven’t eaten in days. I want people to remember me as the girl who ‘changed my life’; I want to help people with what I know and what I have.

I DON’T WANT TO STOP LEARNING

Life is constantly evolving around us, and the more we dive into the details, the more we learn. God gives me the strength to constantly reinvent myself and the ability to learn more about the world around me and put it to use.

AND FINALLY, JUST LET THINGS GO

Forgive those who weren’t even sorry. Peace, empathy, compassion, and strength are added bonuses to forgiving. The world needs more kindness and forgiveness, and this year I’ll start with myself.