Madalyn Godfrey/Fourth Estate
With a new year comes a new you
BY MADALYN GODFREY, COPY EDITOR
With only a few weeks left in 2024, it is that time of year when we say “goodbye” to the old and “hello” to the new. What better way to say “hello” than by making New Year’s resolutions? I am not talking about basic goals such as exercising or reading more, although they are great goals to have. I am talking about goals that allow you to say “hello” to fresh new changes in your life.
Here are three New Year’s resolutions that I recommend having as you enter 2025.
1. Setting boundaries
A new year often calls for a time of wanting to do more things or being more open to putting yourself out there and having more responsibilities. While wanting to do more is fantastic, it is essential to fill your schedule responsibly. When having so much to do and gaining more responsibilities with more people relying on you, pressure builds. Too much pressure can cause burnout and exhaustion as you constantly find yourself being pulled in many directions.
To prevent burnout and exhaustion from happening, make the resolution to set boundaries. Setting boundaries may seem challenging and there might even be people who may feel hurt by your boundaries but don’t let their hurt cause you to hurt yourself. Setting boundaries allows you to take control of your life and prioritize your needs, goals and values while ensuring that the time and energy you give are allocated effectively. It is through setting boundaries that we can give the best versions of ourselves. When we do more and have more responsibilities, set boundaries so you can give the best version of yourself to those responsibilities.
2. Adding fun into your life
With each passing year, it is easy to get caught up in the “grind mindset,” whether putting your all into your academic studies or making your way up the corporate ladder. When caught up in that particular mindset, we lose out on what life can be. By adding fun to your life, you are taking a moment to appreciate the journey that life is and understanding that life means way more than academics and work.
The “grind mindset” can easily cause constant worry about the future and may make you miss out on what is happening in the present. Adding fun to your life is a way to experience the moment you live in, which can impact your future by improving your quality of life.
3. Making yourself happy
The year seems to pass quicker each year. The days might be long but sometimes it feels that as soon as you start to say “happy,” “one” follows right behind. Life is extremely short in the grand scheme of all there is in the entire universe. Because life is so short, it’s important to make yourself happy. There’s nothing selfish in making yourself happy, being happy is fundamental to being able to live a fulfilling and meaningful life.
When you are happy, you navigate challenges more easily, nurture and strengthen your relationships, and add value to yourself and your needs. All this helps you make decisions leading to a life in your best interest. By making yourself happy, you aren’t avoiding responsibilities or challenges; instead, you are creating joy and enhancing each aspect of your life.
By making resolutions to set boundaries, add fun into your life and make yourself happy, I am sure that 2025 will be your year.
