A Fresh Start: New Year’s Resolutions

I’m always excited for each New Year, for the fresh chance it brings to begin new habits and break old ones. The new year provides an opportunity to self-assess whether you have accomplished goals you made previously and evaluate how you can better work to reach those goals in the future. Goals and circumstances may change as you grow into the person God wants you to be, and it’s important to know that God is unchanging and constant in the midst of our fluctuation. Without further ado, here are the resolutions I have for this year!

• Read the Bible x4 a week

This is a resolution I make every year, and every year it doesn’t happen because I let other things replace it on my priority list. This year, I’ve resolved to find a pocket of time at least four days a week, where I will intentionally sit down and have one-on-one time with Jesus. I can say from experience that when I begin the day with a song of praise on my lips and His word in my heart, I approach the day with more grace, patience, and joy. 🙂 Four times a week is realistic for me, and also makes each morning with the Lord all the more precious!

I wrote a post on which Bible I have, and you read it here: https://seaofstyle.com/6-beautiful-journaling-bibles-to-cherish-and-study/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=6-beautiful-journaling-bibles-to-cherish-and-study

• Keep a journal

I’m a writer (as you have probably figured out), and I process my emotions best if I can do a brain dump on paper and jot down everything that’s going on in my life. Also, journals are treasures that you can look back on and see how the Lord was working in your life, how prayers were answered, and how different events in your life shaped you to become who you are now. I love adding a touch of creativity to my journal entries, so bullet journeling or doodling in a notebook is fun!

Here’s an adorable journal I found: https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/brynne-monogram-journal?category=sale-all&color=907&type=STANDARD&size=One%20Size&quantity=1

• Wake up with plenty of time to get ready

The last school semester was busy with assignments and extracurricular activities, and I woke up late on more than a few mornings; it created such a hectic and stressful atmosphere in the morning, and I want to avoid that this year. My goal is to set my alarm for at least an hour before I need to leave the house read my bible, do my hair, and eat a good breakfast without feeling rushed.

If you need a new alarm clock, look no further: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Wooden-Alarm-Clock-Wood-LED-Desk-UPGRADED-With-Time-Temperature-Adjustable-Brightness-3-Set-Voice-Control-Humidity-Displaying-Bamboo/463166568

• Make time for siblings

High school life has gotten more busy, and siblings can be pushed aside in the mist of our full lives until we’re “less busy and have more time.” Our lives will always be busy with activities, so we need to make time – it’s all about how you manage your time. In order to make time for my siblings, I may have to say no to parties and other good things to have a game night with my sisters.This year, I want to invest in them, get to know them, and love them well, because they are my friends for life!

A family-favorite strategic board game to play: https://www.target.com/p/codenames-board-game/-/A-50364627

• Keep a budget planner

As I have started driving and babysitting more, I can’t keep my finances in my head any more! It will be helpful to have a budget planner to better manage and keep track of income and expenses. I am using a really simple, straightforward budget planner, which is specifically designed for kids and teens to use.

Find it here: https://app.thebookpatch.com/BookStore/my-first-budget-planner/54fd14a5-37f3-42a5-927e-c740c705a076

• Make healthy habits

I have the biggest sweet tooth, and this year I hope to limit the desserts and sugary foods I eat, and save them for special occasions. Another change I’m making is drinking two glasses of water before every meal and throughout the day, ensuring I stay hydrated all day.

Here’s a post I wrote on my favorite water bottle: https://seaofstyle.com/hydrating-with-my-hydro-flask/

• Rest on Sundays

My aim this semester is to finish all my homework and projects over the school week, so I can rest on Sunday. Sunday is the Lord’s day, a time to set aside our work and worship Him. I’m setting a goal for myself to prioritize school during the week, so on Sunday I am free to spend time with my family and friends and worship Jesus. To accomplish that goal, I will utilize a weekly planner to plan out when to finish assignments and how best to manage my time.

I love this Rifle Paper Co. planner: https://riflepaperco.com/2022-dovecote-17-month-planner

• Learn to cook

This year is my year to start helping out with the family meals! I’m excited to observe my mother (who is quite an adept cook) and learn from her, beginning with the basics; apart from spaghetti squash and pancakes, I only know a few dishes. I plan to choose several company meals to learn, and over the year, become proficient at cooking them. By next January, I hope to fill a cook book with all the recipes I’m familiar with!

Two favorite recipe books: https://magnolia.com/shop/product/365289078788/magnolia-table-cookbook/, https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/barefoot-contessa-at-home-everyday-recipes-youll-make-over-and-over-again_ina-garten/246884/#edition=14602090&idiq=46473424