Everyone makes New Year’s Resolutions.  Well, that is, except for me.

Every single year when that important, first day came around, I might have told myself a few things that would be better in the coming year, but I don’t think I ever set any actual goals.

But this year is going to be different.  This is the first time I’ve actually made set resolutions for the year, some which were already in motion earlier in 2012 and others which are new.  And this is definitely the first time I’ll have written proof of my resolutions in order to further assure that they will be accomplished!

1.  Become as fit as I used to be

Number one, which also happens to be on the vast majority of people’s resolutions list.  However, unlike most people who have this resolution, I don’t feel as if I need to lose weight or go on a diet.  My goal is to regain the strength I had four years ago at my peak level of fitness. 

Four years ago was my first year of high school, and right after I quit club gymnastics, when I would train four days a week, four hours a day.  Back then I was crazy strong – 50 push-ups and 100 sit-ups was no problem for me, and I had a definite six pack.  And when I took gym my freshman year of high school, I beat the entirety of my grade minus another girl on my gymnastics team when I did 70 push-ups in the push-up contest.  Now all that strength didn’t go poof on me, of course.  The effects of years of gymnastics training doesn’t disappear that quickly, especially since after I quit club gymnastics I still competed on a high school team until last year.  However, my strength is definitely less than it was.

But the thing is, for the entirety of my life up to this point, I had never had the need to exercise or do anything besides gymnastics, because gymnastics WAS my exercise.  And so, so, so much strength/endurance/fitness training if I might add.  And now that gymnastics is no longer a part of life, I haven’t really done much since it was never habit for me to keep fit outside of the sport.

But I’ve got a new exercise plan set into motion for this year! And I’m not talking about going to a gym – that’s the stereotypical resolution, and it fails because people finds excuses not to go.  However, I hope I can take more advantage of the Rec Center here at school, which considering that it is free for students you’d think I would actually make more use of it.

The thing is, you don’t need a gym to be able to work out.  That’s kind of the lazy way to go about it, since you’re letting this one place take care of it all for you.  My way is to make a fitness plan – as pictured above.  Every day whenever I have some down time in my room, I will do as many conditioning exercises as I can on my list (there are two different ab workouts, mountain climbers for legs, and push-ups for arms.  When I complete one, I write the number down on my calendar so that not only do I feel accomplished, but also so that I have a record of what I did each day.

In addition, I will continue as usual with always walking around campus instead of taking the bus, and taking occasional jogs.  I think the key to staying strong and healthy is fitting exercise into your lifestyle and not making it seem like a hassle.

2.  Save the Good Memories in a Bottle

Literally.

Me and my younger sister found a post on Tumblr that showed an interesting idea for a resolution: writing down all of the good memories/times you were happy during the year and saving them in a bottle.  I thought it was the perfect idea.

So that’s exactly what I have started and will continue with for the rest of 2013.  By being resourceful and using an old water bottle, I will record every really great moment, all the things that make me smile, any wonderful little surprise, any time I experienced true kindness, and any exciting moment that left me breathless, awe-struck, or just plain giddy.

And at the end of 2013, I’m sure I’ll have a plethora of happiness to look back upon.  And not just at the end of the year, but at anytime I need it in between when I’m having a bad day and need some good memories to cheer me up.

3.  Spend Less, Travel More

I need this semester to be different than the last in one way more than anything: travel.  And to do that, I need to budget the money I do have.  Between having no job and carelessly spending money going out to eat with friends, buying some clothes, and purchasing party beverages, I found I never got the chance to go very much of anywhere outside of Alabama during my first semester.

Simply being here in Tuscaloosa at the university is amazing and I love it, but my restless heart is always itching to go somewhere new or to have an adventure of some kind. Last semester there was my potential fall break trip to Florida, but that got completely blown out of the water.  So in the end, the only trip I really got to take was to Atlanta for a Model UN conference, and then of course back home in December.

This time, I’m going to make every conscious effort to not spend on anything I don’t have to, so that instead I can use that money for travel.  Nothing is set in stone yet, but I’m aiming for a few hiking trips to different states, possibly another Model UN conference trip if I am chosen, and a spring break trip.  If you’re wondering where, you’ll just have to wait and see because I find if I set an expectation then it will, without a doubt, change on me.

4.  Don’t Worry, Be Happy

Seriously! Just like the song.

 

I adopted the whole carefree, optimistic, independent attitude last year and I think it’s very important that I always stick to it.  It’s important for anyone to not let things get them down and not be over-dramatic – it makes life so much easier and you’re less likely to feel sad.  No matter what happens to you in life, there is someone else out there in the world that is worse off than you are.  Just remember that, and count your blessings.

And most importantly, follow the words of the Holstee Manifesto, pictured above!  You have more power than you may realize in controlling the direction of your life, so take charge and create your happiest lifestyle.

And last but not least of my 2013 resolutions. . .

5.  Keep on Writing!

In 2012, I often found myself procrastinating with the writing of a post, sometimes even unintentionally.  I got caught up with things like homework, studying, parties, friends, and just the college scene in general, and would find that I wasn’t creating as many posts on this blog as I had hoped.

Well, this semester, my blog is going to go up much higher on my priorities list, and no matter what I am always going to make sure I’m keeping up with it!

What are your resolutions for this year?  Are any of yours similar to mine?