2013

For most of us, the New Year brings change. We all set goals and decide what we'd like to change about our lives. To me, the thought to better myself is exciting! and I always do super good on my goals for the first little while. But soon, I start to forget I even set those goals and everything I had been working so hard on the first month slowly goes away. So, this year I've written them all down in hopes that it will encourage me to keep working on them throughout the year.
As I was thinking of goals I'd like to start working on, I came across a website that had a list of 100 New Years Resolutions. As I was reading through this list, I chose a few to work on:

1. Listen to My Favorite Music More

      They say music is the soundtrack of life, but it's also a great way to put you in a better mood, no        matter what the circumstances are. 

2. Be Healthier

       I feel like this is always one of my goals, and I never do anything to change it. So this year, I made up a few more specific goals so I can better reach the overall goal of becoming a healthier person.

3. Validate People In My Life More

       It's easy to take the important people in your life for granted, especially if you see them every day. Taking time to let them know how important they are to you on an occasional basis will make you feel good and will strengthen your relationship with them.

              Even though I feel like I do have a pretty good relationship with my Family & Friends, I'm still making this a goal for myself. There is always room for improvement in any relationship. I have friends I wish I knew better. And I hope to become best friends with every single one of my family members.

4. Get More Sleep

       Most of the time I stay up until midnight for no reason at all and I wake up the next day feeling sleepy and tired. So this year, I'm determined to go to bed earlier so I can be a happier person to be around.

5. Stop Procrastinating!

       I am SO bad at this one! I'm always putting things off until the last second and it leaves me stressed and mad. So this year, I'm making it a goal to stop the procrastinating and Get'er done :)

6. Meet Someone New Every Day

      It's easy to be closed off and think that your circle of friends is complete, but there are many opportunities each day to strike up a conversation with someone you don't know. And you never know what it might lead to.

7. Drink More Water

      I've actually been doing pretty good with this one. I haven't had anything but water to drink since the New Year. 

8. Spend Less Time on Facebook & Pinterest

       Social networking sites can be a great way to keep in touch with people you don't get to see everyday, but they can also become a vice. If you're clocking more time on these sites than you are with the people you do see each day, it might be good to logoff more.

              I'm pretty bad at this one too. A lot of the time I spend on the Computer is on Facebook and Pinterest. And while these sites are fun and useful, there are much more important things I could be doing. So this year, I'm going to spend less time online and more time doing things I should.

9. Get More Organized

       My backpack is a mess and my room... well... we won't go there. I often hear that if you have a clean and organized life, you'll feel less stressed! So this year, I'm going to clean and organize everything and I'm determined to keep it that way!

10. Learn To Cook

       I'm heading off to College in the Fall and I can't cook... at all. Ask my family if you don't believe me. So this year, I'm going to learn how to Cook! And be good at it!

11. Stop Being On My Phone So Much

       I always have my phone in my pocket and as soon as I feel it vibrate its in my hands and I'm replying to a text message. So this year, I want to try and go without my phone as much. Yes, phones are great and very helpful, but they can also be very distracting like Facebook. So I'm going to try my hardest to turn it off as much as possible.

12. Read More

       I used to read a TON, but now I find that I rarely ever pick up a book. So it is a goal for me to read more often.

13. Finish the Book Of Mormon

       I've actually never finished reading the Book Of Mormon. I always start over and say "This time... I will!" But I never have. So this year, I'm GOING to finish and I'm not going to stop until I'm done.

14. Spend More Time In Personal Progress

       I'm a Laurel and I'm done with the Young Women program in May! That's only five months away and I don't have my Young Women Medallion. I remember being a little beehive and thinking I was going to get it as soon as I could! Well... that didn't really work. So this year, by May, I WILL have my Young Women medallion and I will wear it proudly :).

15. Read My Scriptures More & Pray Better

       Yes, I read my Scriptures and Yes, I say my prayers. But I think I do it just because I know I'm supposed to. So this year, I'm going to study my Scriptures harder and pray more sincerely.

16. START! 

       Even if your resolution is to stop doing something, start stopping today. It's easy to get caught up in the thinking part, but eventually you have to start doing what you said you'd do. There's no time like the present, because it's always right now, so start towards your goal right now.

I am determined to accomplish each of these things! And I know I will! And I know that you can accomplish your New Years Resolutions as well. 2013 is a pretty big year for me. I'll be Graduating, leaving for college, and who knows what else! So here's to a great year!

 I wish you a Happy New Year and hope that you have a wonderful 2013 full of happy memories.