Girl on Fire: You only live once

[As seen in Creston News Advertiser December 31, 2015]

Tonight marks the final of the past 365 days in 2015. At midnight tonight, we will ring in a shiny new year. And with 2016 comes all those things people try to achieve, but may not actually accomplish: resolutions.

Resolution: /reze-looSH(e)n/: noun, a firm decision to do or not to do something.

The definition of resolution implies people stick to their guns, complete that decision and celebrate the little sacrifices they made in order to achieve it. But, in all reality, resolutions are more like fluffy little Facebook filler updates: there to let people know you’ve chosen to give up chocolate or save a bit more green, but secretly the Facebook poster didn’t even try.

If I’m being honest, I’m sure I’m one of those who fakes New Year’s resolutions. I’m always talking about getting healthy or what have you, but in the end I’ve not been all that successful. Must be my penchant for wine.

Seriously, though, I’ve been in cahoots with my sister Brianna, and we’ve already plotted out our weekly battle plan to get fit, thanks to her new Christmas Fitbit. Our plan includes weekly challenges against each other and possible prizes at the end of every month. By the end of the year, there will hopefully be a prize for the one who won the most weekly challenges.

I feel like this is an achievable goal, a resolution you can solidly decide to complete and find completing it isn’t all that hard. It’s just like taking baby steps: Finish the week, it’s only seven days, then start the seven days over. Easy as pie.

Just to prove to myself how dedicated I am, I looked online for several tips on succeeding with keeping resolutions. Time Magazine did a silly top-10 resolutions list, which included how to cook lentils and the best way to get rid of stress. USA Today had a story about using mobile apps to maintain the resolve. To each her own, I suppose.

So in the spirit of the sparkling new year about to show its face, here are several tips I’ve come up with to help you resolve to make you a better you:

1. Be selfish. This sounds funny, but sometimes you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others. If you’re not comfortable with who you are, fix it. Read a book alone, have a night in alone. Don’t let someone else try to take away your self-confidence. If you are comfortable with who you are, you won’t put up with the crap people throw at you, and you’ll be more comfortable being yourself with everyone else.

2. Love more. This is common sense. Be it your parents, friends, significant other, dog. Bring more love and attention to your relationships, and those relationships can never fail you.

3. Have fun. You only live once, and to waste that being too serious about your job and making money takes away from the things that truly matter: the people and experiences in your life. Get out there and make memories with your loved ones.

So resolve to celebrate life the best way you can think of. You only live once, so live it with a bang.

Contact the writer:
Email: bpoolman@crestonnews.com
Twitter: @iowafiregirl13