A New Year. A Better Me.

Happy New Year! 

We’ve made it through the first full week of the year. How are you doing? Hopefully, much better than in 2020. After Blogmas, I needed to decompress. I was feeling creatively run down. But I’m back! I’m ready to make 2021 the best year. I have big plans. 

We’re kicking the year off with resolutions. 21 resolutions, to be exact. In the name of full disclosure, some of these resolutions will be the same as last year. I mean, last year doesn’t count, right? It’s all about improvement. A new year, a better me. 

1. Drink more water: This is a resolution I make every year. Do you know why? I fail every year. I try flavoring my water with different powders. I put fresh as well as frozen fruit in my water. I even carry super aesthetic bottles. But I’ll choose coffee over water any hour of the day. Maybe this year will be different. That’s the hope, right?
2. Practice manifesting: This is a new concept for me. People are always mentioning or referencing manifestation. I want to try it. It’s going to be the first challenge of 2021. So, make sure you come back to see how it goes! 
3. Save more money: I’m a decent saver. However, there is always room for improvement. As a young woman in her mid-twenties, I’m ready for more adulting. It’s time for me to think about my future on all levels. That includes a home of my own, a retirement fund, and travels. There’s always room for fun, right?
4. Procrastinate less//be more proactive: A few months ago, I talked a little about procrastination. We all do it. It’s okay! But again, a new year, a better me. There are small things that don’t need to be procrastinated, like putting clothes away or running errands. I don’t know about any of you, but I feel accomplished when they’re finished. So, why put off such a great feeling?
5. Eater cleaner: I’m a clean eater, but I’d like to be a cleaner eater. Some weeks have one too many cheat meals. It’s okay to indulge a little. It’s all about balance, right? But sometimes too many cheats just make me feel gross. Again, in the name of full disclosure, I need to eat fewer fries this year.  
6. Write a book: Realistically, I don’t think I could write a book in a year. I don’t have the time or writing experience to do so. However, I’d love to start. Being a published author is on my bucket list. I have a variety of ideas. It’s a dream to bring them to life. 
7. Read 1 book a month: This is another resolution I set every year. Am I any better at reading than drinking water? I wish I could say that I was. I love to read. Getting lost in another world is a calming experience. But I’m a slow reader. So, instead of trying to devour as many books as I can, I’ve decided to limit it to one book a month. There is a lot less self-inflicted pressure. It also makes reading much more enjoyable. If I stick to the schedule, I’ll read 12 books by December.
8. Launch a YouTube channel: This is the big one! I’ve had a channel for a while, but there’s no content. I am over the moon with excitement. I’ve wanted to develop videos for years. I have a small film background, but I’ve been too scared. Not this year! Last year I started my podcast (Off the Paigee, wherever you listen). This year I’m starting my YouTube journey. There is no time like the present. 
9. Donate more: I want to give back more this year. Every year I donate clothes, but this year I’d like to do more. I want to be involved.
10. Become a runner: Another resolution I make every year. I’m an active person. I work out a lot, but a runner I am not. I have horrible lungs. I only make it for about 5 minutes. That’s being generous. When I took on this resolution last year, I started by walking every day. It felt great but became an escape from quarantine. I never made it to the running part. I do, however,  walk 3-3.5 miles a day. It’s the little wins. 
11. Maintain yoga: This was a resolution last year. I fell in love with yoga. I did fall off towards the end of the year. So, I’m ready to get back into it!
12. Practice guitar: I found my guitar back in April. I was practicing for a few months. But life got in the way. What better excuse to get back into it than a new year?
13. Morning stretches: Show of hands, who is guilty of checking social media the second they wake up. It’s a great way to catch up with things that happened overnight. Those things will still be there 15 minutes later. Letting my body wake up more naturally might just get me in a better headspace for the day. 
14. Take 15 minutes (minimum) a day for me: Last year, I swore to take more time for me. I wasn’t successful. So, this year I am setting aside 15 minutes a day for me. It doesn’t matter when those 15 minutes are. The only thing that matters is taking them.
15. Be a better planner: I am a planner. But again, there is always room for improvement. I typically fill out my calendars as well as planners at the beginning of the month. Some months I don’t make time to plan that month out. Other months I don’t view my planners regularly. Since Monday, I’ve been filling my planner daily. I can confirm that works better! I set a to-do list, which makes it easier to get things accomplished.  
16. Practice breathing: I mentioned a few weeks ago that I have anxiety. I don’t typically practice breathing. I think breathing would make a big difference.
17. Learn Twitter: I don’t know how to use Twitter. 2021 will be the year to figure it out. 
18. Be more flexible: I want to do a split. I’ve never been able to do one. 
19. Journaling: This is a resolution I make year after year. It’s hard for me to keep. Journaling is a vulnerable space. I’m not keen on vulnerable spaces. However, I’m all for personal growth. 
20. Develop better sleep habits: I’ve never had good sleeping habits. I’ve had insomnia since I was an infant. I’ve been a sleepwalker. I’ve also suffered from night terrors. I occasionally still have night terrors. I’d like to be a better sleeper. So, 2021 will be the year of sleepy time teas as well as bedtime stories through an app.
21. Happiness: Don’t take this the wrong way. I’m content with my life. But I’d like to be a happier soul. I’d like to fill my life with more things that make me happy. I’d like to make my happiness a priority. 

My favorite part of a new year is the clean slate. It’s an opportunity to do things better. I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m more determined than ever to make this year better. So, cheers to a better year. The real start of the next decade.