The days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve and the first few days of the new year always just kind of feel like a blur. I don’t really know what to do or how to feel and spend a lot of time reflecting on the past year and dreaming about the upcoming. New Year’s resolutions might be cheesy or maybe even destined to fail, but thinking about them gives me a good opportunity to reflect, find some closure and new purpose for the future. And I secretly really like the sentiment that comes with it.
In 2020 I learned to be aware of what’s happening around me and because of me. A lot of those times, I was even too aware. I am a very self-conscious person; I overthink everything, which sometimes turns out as my best trait and sometimes as one of my worst. Because of that, I sometimes hold myself back from doing what I actually want to do when I’ve already spent way too much time thinking about what could go wrong or what happens if it turns out the opposite way as I want it to. But not following my gut-feeling and not going for things the full hundred percent, also means having a lot of missed opportunities. I don’t want any missed opportunities this year. For me, that starts with not overthinking everything and sometimes just take the leap.
The new year always screams for setting some new goals and intentions. I already have a few of them lined up. From small changes to big dreams that I intend to have turned into reality by the end of the year. To begin with, I really want to take more initiative when it comes to friendships and work opportunities this year. I’ve always been a hard worker, but when I couldn’t perform a few of my jobs the last couple of months due to COVID, I realized how important it is to always invest in friendships and the people you care about. I really lighten up around the people I care for, and if there’s something that is my second nature, it is caring for people. However, I sometimes forget to express that to them.
Last year I really experienced having a shitload of time on my hands. And honestly, as much as it might’ve done me good, I hated it. I love a busy schedule and hopping from one appointment to another. It did however give me some time to catch up with people I hadn’t seen or talked to in a while. I know that I will have a tight work schedule again this year – THANK GOD – and that makes me excited to the core. But it also means that I have to keep in touch with my friends and stay intentional with taking initiative. Having friends around me who I can talk to, laugh, connect and cry with really gives me so much purpose. I tend to keep that in my life as much as I can.
I also have a few smaller resolutions. I want to either go for a walk daily – even when it’s just a small walk around the block – or do some yoga or workout. Keep that body – and mind – of mine moving! I want to meditate every day (which I have been doing for the last couple of months) and drink at least seven glasses of water every day (which I have not been doing the last couple of months). I would love to discover even more amazing music than I did last year, read three books every month, listen to more podcasts and read/watch/look LESS at social media. I want to keep visiting my family and friends and hope to be able to hug them again in 2021. I want to be kind to everyone. In the small and the big ways. Really because a kind person is who I want to be – not in the end but always. I also hope to make some new connections with people.
One of my bigger goals is that I really want to create this year. I’m not sure yet what it exactly is that I want to create, so I have some brainstorming and planning to do. Next to the magazines that I’ll write for and the articles I will put on this blog, I hope to write even more for personal development. When it’s possible again, I would like to do some solo traveling and maybe create something else like video’s or a podcast. Or do something with my huge newfound love for discovering and writing about music. Until then, I have to focus on my internship at the biggest public news organization of The Netherlands (as a journalist of course). I can’t express how much I’m looking forward to that and know that it’ll be the best possible kickstart of a new year with new opportunities.
Ah, writing about all of this makes my cheeks turn red of excitement! I really want to make every day worth it’s while this year and I’m filled with new ideas and inspiration how to make that happen. Cheers to a new year!
Lisa Kroesen 