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The Last Post of 2015


Fireworks bursting with spirit in the sky. Champagne sloshing all over as glasses tap each other during toasts, making that simple bell-like clink sound. Couples stumbling around trying to find one another as the countdown begins. 3…2…1…Then it happens. The new year starts, as do the resolutions.

Maybe it’s because of my internal love for NYC and the iconic ball drop, or maybe it’s all the picture-perfect engagements that happen each year, but New Year's is my favorite holiday of all time. I love new beginnings, sparkly dresses, and seeing smiles across everyone’s faces.

Each year I tell myself that I’m going to create amazing life changes. But the truth is, two things happen each year. One: I forget my resolutions. Two: My life changes so dramatically that I can’t even predict the things that may possibly happen.

Many, many, things that have happened this year for me that I wouldn’t even have dreamed about happening in my life. For example, the Miss IL USA Pageant. That opportunity fell into my life so unexpectedly and I couldn’t be more grateful for it, but if someone told me last year at this time that I would be doing a pageant, I would have thought they were totally kidding. I never thought I would be pageant girl, but here I am. It just goes to show you that you can’t predict the things in your life, especially in a 12 month time span.

However, the more I have been thinking about New Year's lately, the more I decided that I do want to have a few resolutions. Maybe I’ll forget them in a month and maybe they will change, but as of right now, I have a few in mind.

My resolutions for 2016:

1. Do things that make me happy

The past two years especially I have been trying my hardest to please others. I was breaking my back trying to get approval and make others happy, and all it did for me was create stress. I realized that isn’t healthy. I’m 21 years old. That’s not an old age, but it’s also not young. It’s an age where I’m old enough to realize that I can say “no” and not have to explain myself. Will I still be kind to others? Of course. Will I continue to do something for someone if it makes me miserable? Absolutely not.

2. THINK before speaking.

Now I know that you might be sitting there going, “Don’t you always think before you speak?” Well, there’s two answers to that. The first is, no, I don’t always think before I speak, but I’m going to definitely work on making sure that I do. The second, that’s not the kind of “think” I meant. I meant that acronym we all learned when we were little from that poster on the wall in our 2nd grade classroom (see below). I came across a picture of a poster with the acronym on it a few months ago and realized that no one really follows it, not even myself. I think it’s a nice acronym that is actually really helpful,

T - is it true?

H - is it helpful?

I - is it inspiring?

N - is it necessary?

K - is it kind?

3. Continue to make healthy choices.

What would a New Year’s resolution be without something about health? For the most part, I am a pretty healthy eater. I’m at a healthy weight and I take my vitamins every day. I love my fruits and veggies, I don’t drink often, and I try to get a workout in at least twice a week. While I’m probably doing a good job compared to the average person my age, I want to do better. My goals are to drink only water, coffee, and tea (alcohol on very special occasion), eat baked goods and candy only once a week (I have a strong sweet tooth from time to time), and to workout at least three times a week.

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