“New year, new me!” is a phrase I am sure you have heard a lot or even said a lot over the past years. I know I have. While New Years Resolutions are great and promising, we usually break them by the end of January. This year as we enter a new decade, we are given the chance to ditch the resolutions and create more specific and measurable goals that will give us a clearer focus to help us accomplish some amazing things not only this year but also throughout the rest of our lives. I feel like as we all grow old, time tends to fly by even quicker than before. Remember, you do not need a new year to make changes to become the best version of yourself possible. You are the driver of the car on this road trip of life, and it may take many bumps and twists and turns along the way, but the destination will be worth it.
Keeping that in perspective, I decided to make a list of 20 Goals for 2020 that will motivate and inspire me to achieve my goals more than ever before. The first step is starting fresh and creating realistic goals that will leave you feeling happier, healthier and more successful overall. Here are some of my goals and suggestions that I feel like many others can potentially benefit fit from as well!
1. Overcome my overthinking and self-doubt habits
Instead of over-analyzing and assuming the worst for everything, I mean everything, I hope to give myself more credit. I want to have love and appreciation towards myself for making it through the things I never thought I would get through and to be able to still be here, continuing to push through life every day.
2. Prioritize my sleep schedule
Sleep is something I cherish and could do as a professional job if possible. Growing up, I always thought it was cool to stay up until 5 am and wake up at 2 pm, and sometimes it is! But waking up early and going to bed earlier is the real boss move. It is way more refreshing to have a full day to myself.
3. Read at least 12 new books
Finding a book, you cannot put down and must finish in two days is something I absolutely love. I have been reading more into self-care and life motivational books, and the impact it has left on me to carry out those words on the page has done wonders for me.
4. Eat more fruits and vegetables
This is not my favorite goal, especially when burgers and fries exist. However, I have acquired a taste for many new fruits and vegetables and have felt the healthier effect it has on my mind and body.
5. Travel to at least 3 new places
Getting out of the comfort of my room and town to see what the world has to offer is another goal of mine. This goal has brought out excitement and eagerness within me to explore and start new somewhere.
6. Be more forgiving towards others, including myself
You don’t have to forget what someone did to you but forgiving them and not allowing them to occupy any negative headspace will allow you to feel acceptance and gratitude with moving forward in your life. Forgive yourself too, you are not perfect, but you are trying. These are things I try to remind myself to heal and feel at peace, it really works.
7. Reach out to more long-distant friends and family members
Time is not guaranteed. Tomorrow is never promised. Call your grandparents, text an old friend and set up a date to have lunch. They probably miss you too. Making the effort for people who matter will always go a long way. I have learned that giving effort will result in receiving it as well.
8. Learn a new hobby
Yoga, drawing, dance classes, cooking, reading, the list is endless. I want to take it upon myself to learn something new and add it to my schedule. Hobbies relieve stress and keep you busy and satisfied with things other than work, school and other stressors. Plus, they are fun!
9. Volunteer and donate more of my time
Giving back and helping other people is such a rewarding feeling. Do more of that. All of us. Donate old clothes, spend time with the elderly, volunteer in a food kitchen or SPCA, whatever it may be, the best thing we can do as humans is helping one another.
10. Attend at least 5 concerts
Music is healing, music is how I met some pretty amazing friends and made memories I will never forget. I started going to fewer concerts over the years and I realized that concerts are the one place I feel the happiest and most grateful to be alive, so attending more is on the agenda.
11. Average of 150 minutes of exercise per week
When you look good, you feel good, physically and mentally. The only pain I want to feel in 2020 is pain from the gym.
12. Become less dependent on my phone
I, and the rest of society as well, need to stop living my life for social media and live for myself. The real world is right in my hands, not through a screen.
13. Write everything down
Birthdays, goals, a weekly schedule, a funny joke your friend said, feelings you felt in a moment, song lyrics, what people said to you, conversations you never want to forget, the list goes on. I want to remember them all.
14. Graduate, get a job and move somewhere new
The “real world” is approaching and I could not be more scared yet excited. If you come from a small town where everybody knows one another as I do, I urge you to get out of there and immerse yourself in other places. Sometimes I go away and miss my normal surroundings and think, “Should I just go back?” No! The only direction to move is forward from here on out.
15. Meet as many new and different people as I can
This is something I always love doing but can hold myself back from due to the fear of certain situations happening to me from past events. Trust is extremely important, but I have met some of the best people by accident and I know there are tons of all-around great people out there that I am going to meet.
16. Start a side hustle
Side hustles have become the new thing and I am all here for them. Earning an extra 100 dollars on the side is always beneficial and who knows, maybe you could start a new career from it.
17. Learn how to cook more meals and eat home more
Believe it or not, cooking is fun. And there are many other things to eat than mac and cheese. I am realizing this at 22. I want to save that money and prepare healthier, delicious foods at home!
18. Invest in a proper skincare routine
Taking care of yourself should always come first. I always say that girls need to invest in the most important things: skin and hair!
19. Save money
Do I really need those pair of shoes or that 20-dollar lip gloss? Saving money at this age is so crucial, and you and your bank account will thank you later for it. Save more now, flex later. (as I constantly have to remind myself this).
20. Learn to love and accept myself as a whole
I want to look in the mirror and make positive remarks instead of negative ones. I want to accept compliments from others more often instead of denying them. I want to accept my flaws and realize that many other people wish they could change things about themselves, too. 2020 will bring a lot more of self-love and confidence.