Originally this year, I wasn’t going to make resolutions for myself simply because in the past when I’ve done it I just noticed that I don’t commit myself as much as I want to. But this year my friend came up with a really fun idea. Something that she’s on TikTok.
She suggested that we do bingo cards and that we see who gets to bingo first. So now it’s kind of like a little competition between us. We agreed the resolutions could be as big or as little as we want.
I know what you’re thinking you’re thinking here and it’s already halfway through the month of January. Why are you doing this now? Well, honestly, most of my friends don’t believe that resolutions should start with the new year. They actually kind of believe that they should start in spring. Something to do with a pagan holiday I think that’s what you would call it. Ostara which is basically like pagan Easter all about the rebirth that spring brings. Which I actually be helping my friends celebrate this year.
We have until Sunday to finish out our bingo cards, and I am completely drawing a blank! But I will definitely update when I’m done!
This post is a little late since the middle of the year is July 2nd, but life happens. Lately, I’ve felt like the Wario version of myself and needed to get out of that negative mindset.
We’re more than halfway through the year, and I’m just amazed at how quickly this year is flying by. Instead of setting specific goals, I’ve focused on one word: “fulfilled.” I’ve been working hard to live up to that word.
I spent a long time thinking about what makes me happy or fulfilled. Most of the time, I struggle with feelings of inadequacy and let self-doubt stop me from doing things. I can’t even count how many times I’ve considered dropping out because I wasn’t meeting my high standards, but I’ve realized that’s not an option.
I want to make this year the one where I learn to bounce back from failures and rejections without thinking I’m not worth it. I’ve been thinking about a few questions, too:
– What gets me out of bed in the morning?
– What kind of work really satisfies me?
– Is having a family important to me?
– Do I like helping others? How?
– Do I have any spiritual practices that bring me joy?
I’ve also realized that there are some goals I’ve been passionate about but never completed in the past few years.
Volunteering
I volunteered this year with my small group communications class at The Hope Center in LA, and it felt amazing to help out. I plan to go back.
Monthly dates
Hector and I discussed implementing this last year in our relationship, but we never got around to it last year. But this year, we’ve been making our relationship a priority.
Maintaining Relationships
I find myself getting too caught up in my own life. Being a full-time student and a full-time worker means I need to spend more quality time with my friends and family. However, this year, I’ve been able to spend more time with my best friends.
Things I wish to implement
ELIMINATE ONE BAD HABIT.
Some of my bad habits include staying up late, not eating healthy, and not cleaning regularly.
RESTART MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL.
I keep saying I will do this, but at the same time, I feel like I have nothing to say and am not interesting enough to watch.
EXPLORE MY STATE MORE
I would love to visit national parks. My idea of California is the LA and Long Beach areas because I live here and have seen small parts of the Bay Area.
SPEAK BETTER SPANISH
A million years ago, I wanted to learn Spanish to speak to my grandmother, and that never happened. So now, I would love to learn to communicate better with Hector’s family. It would also help me in my job. Honestly, it’s something I’m going to need professionally and personally.
REFLECT EACH MONTH
So much and not enough happens in a week, let alone a month there’s always something to learn and improve upon, and I want to hold myself accountable for not doing things in a month when I knew I should have.
ESTABLISH A ROUTINE
I’m tired of constantly being late due to oversleeping. I want to establish a routine to help me be more punctual. I know I can’t control everything but can control my schedule and whereabouts. Having a routine will help me balance school and work better.
Hey there, Happy April! Can you believe it’s already four months into 2024? I am confident that things will start going my way this year. I’ve got a couple of announcements to share.
First and foremost:
I’m never baking again!
Just kidding! I’m just pulling your leg.
Happy April Fool’s Day!
Now that we’ve had some fun, let’s get a little serious.
I can’t wait to start my pin-up journey! After visiting the Harbor Hop for the third year in a row, I’m inspired to dive deeper into pin-up fashion, mostly because I want to be Miss Harbor Hop next year. But I also want to explore other styles without being pigeonholed, which often happens on social media. I want to have you guys along on the ride with me.
I’ve been working on my baking skills and getting good, but I want to step up my presentation game. My friends always say things don’t need to be perfect, but I’m determined to make my creations look stunning when I present them. I might have missed Easter and Valentine’s Day, but I aim to decorate some gorgeous desserts for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. With practice, I know I can do it!
And guess what? I’m getting back to work on my novel! It’s a bit intense, but I’m determined to finish it before I turn 30. By the time I turn 30, it will have been eight years in the making, and the fact that I didn’t even work on it consistently makes me even more motivated to complete it. I’m ready for this challenge! I plan on doing Camp NANOWRIMO.
I understand that I am currently going through a challenging time, but it often feels like I am always going through a difficult time. Thanks, depression!
However, I have set a goal to be a better person and work on improving myself every day. As part of this goal, I have been reading self-help books and practicing mindfulness and prayer to deal with the stress. Although it’s great that I am taking steps to improve my mental health and well-being, I still need help with fully embracing these practices. Some of me still feel skeptical about the effectiveness of these feel-good cliches.
To help me focus and find peace, I use a journal that centers me through prayer. It has been an excellent tool to remind myself of things I overlook. It’s important to remember that change is not easy and takes time to see results. It’s natural to worry about failure and not believe in oneself. The hardest thing to remember is that I am not alone in this journey we call life. I have a support system of friends and family who care about me.
I used to struggle with the idea that I was too old or starting too late when I restarted my education. Even before I began my educational journey, I wrote about feeling like I wasted my potential. However, I now know that it is not true. It’s okay to take things at your own pace and to make mistakes along the way. What’s important is that you keep trying and stay committed to your personal growth.
My job is emotionally draining, and it’s hard to maintain a positive attitude, take care of myself, and stay motivated. I understand that success is not easy, but sometimes, the challenges are too much to handle. I wish it were easier, and I sometimes consider running away from my problems. However, I know that I can’t escape myself and my issues even if I do. It seems like I can’t do anything right lately, even when I try my best. It feels like nothing in my life is going as planned.
Despite the difficulties, I want to continue reading self-help books, practicing mindfulness, and praying. I want to build resilience and cope with stress more healthily
I have chosen a single word to be the foundation of my daily decisions for the upcoming year. I like setting resolutions for each upcoming year, but sometimes, they make me feel like passing or failing. Choosing a word of the year feels like having a supportive friend. My chosen word will support me through thick and thin and help me stay focused, even if my world turns upside down. By focusing on this word, I will gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and find new avenues for personal growth, which can be more potent than any New Year’s goal or resolution. This practice is commonly called choosing a “Word of the Year.”
By choosing a word that resonates with you, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and find new avenues for personal growth. For example, if you choose “abundance,” you could focus on cultivating meaningful relationships, achieving financial goals, and spending quality time with loved ones. If your word is “discipline,” you could establish a workout routine, develop a consistent evening routine, and prioritize punctuality.
The beauty of choosing a “Word of the Year” is that it stays with you throughout the year, reminding you of your intentions and goals. It serves as a supportive friend that keeps you on track, even when life gets challenging.
For me, my chosen word for 2024 is “fulfilled.” I’m letting go of my tendency to overthink and instead focus on taking bold and courageous steps towards achieving my goals. I’m determined to approach everything I do with unwavering confidence and a positive attitude that will help me overcome any obstacles that I may encounter.
To make the most of the year, I’ve developed a New Year manifesto that outlines my passions, priorities, values, and intentions in the areas that matter most to me. The idea of being fulfilled will serve as a roadmap throughout the year, reminding me of what I want to achieve and helping me stay on track. I’m excited to leap into 2024 with a sense of purpose and determination, and I can’t wait to see what the year has in store for me.
My faith: I am determined to keep my promises to God this year. I will always remind myself that He will fulfill His promises to me. As a believer, I will rely on God to provide for my needs, knowing He possesses everything and can meet my wants. By doing so, I will live a fulfilled life in Christ.
Myself: Looking ahead to the coming year, I am committed to prioritizing my well-being. I have realized that focusing on my needs and desires is essential to living a fulfilling life. By engaging in activities that ignite my spirit, bring me joy, and inspire me to connect with the world around me, I am committing to the journey of self-care and personal growth.
My relationship: I want to have a meaningful relationship; the only way to achieve that is through effective communication. My partner and I have ups and downs, but we don’t always try to communicate and work through our issues. It’s important not to bottle up our feelings and to admit our faults when we’re wrong. We need to be clear on what’s missing in the relationship and discuss what we can do to improve things.
I have chosen a word for myself by asking a series of questions like what I want to achieve in the next year, what skills or characteristics can assist me in accomplishing my goals or lead a better life, what I need or desire more in my life, how I want to feel, and what my core values are.
It’s your turn now! I would be delighted to know your Word of the Year and why you chose it. Please share it with our community by leaving a comment below. Speaking your word into the Universe is a beautiful way to set things in motion.
It’s time for me to bid farewell to the year 2023. At first glance, it seemed like a disappointing year. However, upon reflection, I realized it was full of ups and downs. There were moments of sheer joy but also moments of deep disappointment. How can I say this year was terrible when I saw Taylor Swift? I started back at school, and it’s going great. I went to the Queen Charlotte premiere and saw Alicia Keys there. Most importantly, my niece was born this year! I achieved some of the goals I had set for myself, but I did not meet my expectations. I sometimes found myself self-sabotaging and getting in the way of my progress.
I had planned to set 23 goals for myself for the year, from learning Spanish to maintaining a tidier home. But I struggled to let go when eliminating some of them. Eventually, I narrowed my focus to 13 specific goals, hoping that this would help me stay more motivated and on track.
However, things sometimes went differently than planned. The stress of work and school often got in the way, and I only sometimes lived up to my expectations. It was tough to deal with the disappointment, but I knew sacrifices were necessary to achieve my ultimate goal of transferring to a university.
Despite the challenges, I remain optimistic about the future. I believe that setting realistic and specific goals and having a clear vision are crucial for success and personal growth. That’s why I’ve decided to concentrate on achieving my 2024 objectives, limiting them. This upcoming year, I’ve set 12 personal goals, and I plan to take things slow, working through each month to achieve my objectives. My focus is on smaller, more achievable goals that will bring me closer to living a happier and healthier life.
Let’s dive right in! Here are my exciting goals for 2024.
Improve my Spanish language skills.
Practice mindfulness and reflect on my progress every month
Prioritize my studies
Establish a consistent exercise routine
Write 120 blog posts, which equates to 10 posts per month
Have a “No Buy” month in August and December
Pay off all of my debt by December 31, 2024
Enjoy a family dinner once a month
Save $200 each month
Read 24 non-school-related books
Plan for significant events and holidays at least one month in advance
Go on at least one date per month
How did your year go? I understand that 2023 may have been a tough year for me and many others. Even if it wasn’t the greatest year, please know I’m here to support you. Remember that you’re not alone in facing difficult times, and I’m hopeful you can still find reasons to be proud of yourself or find happiness in small things. What are you looking forward to the most in 2024?
What’s the biggest risk you’d like to take — but haven’t been able to?
Hey there! I just wanted to share something with you today. Lately, I’ve been feeling like I want to break out of my comfort zone and explore new places. I’ve always had this strong desire to travel on my own, simply pack my bags, and head somewhere. You know, venture into new places, step out of my comfort zone, and break from the same old routine.
I’ve been yearning to visit New York for a while now, not to settle there but to experience the city. I would love to see a Broadway play, visit Times Square, have a touristy time, and take the subway for the first time. The thought of starting anew, packing up, and never looking back excites me. I’ve never done it, but I would enjoy exploring uncharted territories, discovering hidden gems, and experiencing different cultures. However, I was scared to travel alone due to the horror stories I’ve heard on the news about women who have found themselves in dangerous situations.
My biggest fear is not necessarily someone hurting me but getting lost, running out of money, or getting robbed. I know you’re supposed to save extra for trips, and Moreover, I hate looking stupid or drawing attention to myself. In the past, I used to avoid going to the gym because I was afraid I wouldn’t know how to use the equipment and make a fool of myself. However, I realized that every unique experience, good or bad, teaches us something worth learning. And even if you make a mistake, it’s likely to be a life-changing experience.
Although I always thought about traveling with some friends, I don’t have any close ones who would like to accompany me. I even need help convincing my boyfriend to join me to visit my family, so I know going out of the state is out of the question. If I wait for others, I’ll never go anywhere. Every year, my desire to travel grows stronger. The more I yearn to do things and fail to achieve them, the more I realize that my life is unfulfilling. I feel stuck and bored, and I crave a renewed sense of vigor. I am determined to change my current situation and travel before settling down, even if my partner can’t join me. Although my finances may not allow me to embark on a grand journey of self-discovery like in “Eat, Pray, Love” or “Wild” with Reese Witherspoon, I refuse to let that stop me.
I’m planning to start small by taking a few weekend trips to some new cities in California alone. I hope to become more comfortable with solo travel with each trip. In the past, I had the urge to run away, leave everything behind, and never look back. But I’ve realized that running away from problems doesn’t solve them, and most of my problems are caused by me. Even if I left, they would still follow me. Although I’m not interested in going away forever anymore, a mindful retreat focused on my soul would be incredibly beneficial at this point in my life. Traveling alone can be very liberating and empowering. I’ve read about other women who have traveled alone and how they discovered their strengths and capabilities. I want to experience that same sense of independence and prove to myself that I’m more capable than I think.
I think my desire to travel is driven by my search for a place where I belong, much like the song from Hercules. Feeling like an outsider is a common experience for many people. We all yearn to find a place where we feel at home, but unfortunately, we do not all have that opportunity. The idea that there’s a place out there where we’ll be wanted and welcomed with open arms is comforting. We can embark on an adventure to explore the world’s vastness and discover more than we ever planned.
I am planning my first trip to Solvang, California, to celebrate my birthday. Wish me luck! My inspiration for this trip is Liz from “Eat, Pray, Love.” I hope to find strength in my independence and welcome new experiences, just you know, without going through a divorce. Though it may take some time, I am determined to make this dream a reality.
School is out, which means it’s time to check on those goals I made for myself at the beginning of the year.
I need a little mid-year reset. This year has gone by way too fast, and I don’t remember all the goals I set for myself. I need to rethink some of the goals. I wanted to sit down and think of what I need to do to end this year in a better direction.
I spent the last six months self-sabotaging myself. I did good in school; I could have done much better. I often didn’t do my homework or turn in assignments out of laziness. I used going to school as an excuse not to post blogs or videos. I am scared of success. If I do well in school now, why couldn’t I have done this when I was going to school the first time? And if I’m not posting because of school, that’s a valid excuse. But now that schools is out. My not posting now is due to self-doubt. A lot of my self-sabotage came from self-doubt. For forever, I have felt I need to be perfect; I’m not good enough when I’m not. I missed a lot of goals this year. I missed all of them; today will be the first day I try.
I’ve rewritten the goals in order of importance to me. An ideal year for me would be hitting the top 10. That requires a lot of work and change. I need to change who I am and how I see myself. I need to hold myself more accountable and not give up so easily. I say this every year and every time I have a goal that I want, so I need to focus on what I can do when days aren’t perfect. I need to create a system that will work with my ADHD.
.And I have created a system. Two hours a day, I will dedicate time to my goals. This will be harder some days, and that’s okay. I will keep myself motivated by rewarding myself at the end of each month. But to keep myself honest, I won’t be the one to reward myself. It will be my partner.
I need to remind myself that I deserve to be happy. I am willing to work for what I want and have survived a lot. I’m stronger than I give myself credit for. I’m not my past. I’m doing the best I can.
I always look at the beginning of a new month as a fresh start. You can start over every morning, but today is a new month to conquer your goals. There are so many lessons, changes, and beginnings waiting for us.
This month Im leaning toward believing that things will work out, and if they don’t, that’s not for me anyway. We must embrace the changes and struggles that happen in our life. Think of things you would like to do better and more for others, yourself, or change during this new month. Sometimes it will be hard to accept change; other times, it can be easy, but don’t fight it. Keep moving forward, and you will push through it.
It’s never too late to become who you want to be. I hope you live a life that you’re proud of, and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start over.
-F. Scott Fitzgerald
Go into this new month with great expectations and determination.
I hope everyone goes into this month loving and safe. Remember, you are human and will make mistakes, but how you respond to those mistakes makes you who you are. We are all a work in progress; all we can do is keep trying.
To mentally prepare for the year, I can spend all of January and even some of December planning. Usually, I don’t know my wants for the whole year in the first week of January. Nothing wrong with that. Each year is different. Some years for me, January is a rocky month, but by June, I’m like, this is my best year ever. And sometimes, it’s the reverse. It really depends. This year I am controlling the narrative. So even if January is terrible, it isn’t.
It takes a lot to live the life I want. Coming from me, that probably sounds strange since I constantly complain about my life. If I’m being honest, my life isn’t that bad. It is stressful at times, but overall I’m pretty lucky. Just because things don’t work out when and how I want them doesn’t mean the end of the world.
So call it manifesting, praying, the law of attraction; same difference. It’s putting your intentions into the universe and hoping that something or someone is listening.
Before I put any energy into the universe, I meditate. I want a clear mind before I do anything. For me, it starts with thinking positively. I know that sounds lame, but it helps. Say a few affirmations and give yourself a little love. Positive thinking is soo important for mental health.
And then I question everything. What do I need? What do I need in my life, family, health, and career? What do I want? What do I want for my life? I try to be as transparent with my intentions as possible. I have to be honest about what I am willing to work towards.
After I’ve decided, I write it down. This year I made my first vision board. Usually, I write down bullet points in a journal. I should clarify this is different than the goals I share with you at the beginning of each year. Not by much, but it is different.
This might be unconventional, but I made my vision board online. I didn’t do a super intense collage. I created sections for myself for my family, health, hobbies, and fun. I put influencers and celebrities who I admire. Things I wish would happen throughout this year and in the future.
One of the reasons that not journaling really affected my life and mental state last year was that I could not see the work I put into these goals. You can’t just put it out into the universe or pray about it once and then expect all of your problems to be fixed magically. You have to work towards this.
Some questions I ask myself every month are
What am I grateful that God or the Universe has already given me?
How am I bettering myself?
What efforts am I putting into this goal? What can I do differently?
What brings you inner peace? What is it about this person, place, or thing that affects my this way?
How have my desires changed over the years?
You have to check in with yourself regularly. I like to check in once a month. Are you being negative? If you are, why? Negative energy doesn’t bring good things. And being negative allows you to miss signs around you. It’s basically self-sabotage.
One time I was looking for a new job. It was taking a while, and I was starting to feel defeated. I remember complaining to everyone about how I needed a new job and more money. When I finally got an interview, I jumped at the chance. The company was sketchy, but I didn’t care; I still went. And even after going to the first interview, they scheduled a second interview. I was still like this is super sketchy, but I was also being negative like this is probably the only thing I’m going to get. After that first interview, I got a call from a different, not sketchy company asking if I wanted to interview. I was being salty about them passing on me the first time I applied, so I turned it down. I returned to the sketchy place, did the second interview, and got the job. It was a pyramid scheme. Self-sabotage is real.
You have to trust your gut and trust the process. You know what is right for you. You know when what you’re doing is good for you as a person. I refuse to believe people are out of touch with their bodies and don’t know what’s happening. The little happy tingles I get when I eat sugar or finish a book are the same ones I get after a good workout.
Now when it comes to being one with the universe and making sure that the one game of MASH you played where you lived in a mansion married to Calum from 5SOS with eight kids comes true, driving a white Bronco. You have to do three things: be realistic, put in work, and trust the process. There’s no time limit on manifesting. Something I wanted and worked toward years ago is coming true now.
Making a dream into reality begins with what you have, not with what you are waiting on.
T.F. Hodge
I’m a little impatient and controlling with just about everything. Sometimes, I don’t notice things happening until it’s too late. Which doesn’t always allow me to show proper gratitude.
My faith is a powerful motivation and guide. I grew up hearing God’s got a plan. Being an adult made me realize that our plans may not always align. I know I want something now, but perhaps I’m not ready for it emotionally, mentally, financially, or physically. I don’t expect to get some prophetical dream that will tell me God’s goal for me. I would love one, but life doesn’t work that way.
So let us take a deep breath and breathe out all our negative thoughts about what the future has in store for us.
