New Year "Resolutions"- note the quotations.

As I lay on my friends Torey's couch still in my dress and tights from last night, I decided to be proactive and start 2015 off with a blog post- and what better to post than...a resolution post right? well yes and no. I have never been a fan of resolutions. It implies that something needs to be resolved/ended by a certain time and I, being a person who hates due dates and endings, have never set resolutions. However the more relaxed meaning to annual resolutions is to create goals and to make better choices to start off a year in a positive route, which I fully support.
I have read numerous articles this week about how to set a resolution and how to stay on a path to complete said resolutions in 365 days. I have read many pre-made resolution list and for the most part they consist of the same resolutions. A lot if them were not life changing or very self involved. (I.e.) dieting, work out, lose x amount of weight, Get in a relationship (I'm sorry what?), try a new Pinterest make-up tutorial (insert eye rolling here), more "me" time (let's face it, most of us-unless you are a working mom/wife- have enough "me" time)
Everything I've read made me roll my eyes, laugh out loud, and added to my belief that my generation is so superficial it's sickening. So I have come up with a list of sorts to practice and instill in myself to better myself so I can better myself and those around me now and in my future. (Wow! Guinness book of world record for someone using the word 'myself' in a sentence check please!) and honestly, I believe everyone should as well- it isn't something that is targeted toward girls or guy, these are universal goals.

1. Be more up to date on current/world events.

When I hear my friends say they don't watch the news because..."it's too depressing", "boring" or they don't have time. My rebuttal is: YOU HAVE A SMART PHONE. follow at least 2 reliable news sources on twitter. Get a news app. Or sign up for the Skimm (a daily email that gives you just enough information you need). Being informed is an essential to adulthood. And stop getting your information from what you over hear your parents saying or from someones Facebook status rant.

2. Do the right thing when no one is looking. Integrity. 

A universal principle that is often forgotten. We all tend be bystanders to a lot to refrain from butting into others business. Stand up for what is right without expecting praise for your good deed. Even something as simple as starting the pay it forward at chick-fil-a--and don't go tweet about it or tell all your friends just so you can hear how awesome you are. Tell yourself how awesome you are , and that if more people did the right thing there would be more reasons to smile!

3. Don't make excuses.

Don't make em' for yourself or give them to others
If you don't want to go somewhere just say "hey, thanks for the invite, but I don't feel like going tonight. Have enough fun for me" which is a lot better than lying about not feeling well or having other plans. Or better yet that you are tired-especially when you are telling these excuses to someone who does twice as much as you minus twice the help.
We all have that one (maybe more) who has an excuse for not showing up to events, or not being able to hang out or text or call- and after a while the friendship fizzles. Don't be that friend. You'll miss out on great memories with great people!
Also, be responsible! Don't blame others or events from the past on why you make bad choices. put on the big girl and boys pants and grow up!

4. Don't judge.

It's hard not to judge someone based on their choices. I am for sure guilty of it. Recently I got smacked in the face with a lesson of "don't judge a book by its cover" when a new friend shared something so heart wrenching that I would never in a million years have assumed. You never know someones past. You just need to be an example that bad experiences shouldn't be made into bad choices. And not judge those who have taken bad experiences as a right to make bad choices.

5. Stop saying you don't like things you haven't tried.

We are no longer 12. Being picky should be a trait you have long since grown out of. And I'm not just talking about food. If your friends want to see a movie that everyone has been raving about check it out (wait until it is on TV, if you don't want to spend money). So what if you saw a bad movie. If someone tells you to check out some music give it a listen. You may find the next lyrics that is your life- 'WTF, did I help co-write this in my sleep'
Want some coffee? I don't like coffee? Have you ever had it? No. THEN HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU LIKE IT OR NOT.
(Only aliens dislike coffee-so pretend you do around me or I'll report you!)
Now, if something makes you uncomfortable or is bad for you don't give it a try-METH. not even once!

6. Stop being passive aggressive.

To all you passive aggressive people, stop. It isn't giving you or your relationships any growth.

7. Love your friends.

I am really bad about this. I am not an affectionate person at all. So I rarely tell my friends that I love them. But I show my love in other ways. If you are my friend, I love you! Compliment them, embrace them, listen to them, talk positively about them, defend them, and lift them up. If you don't do this for your friends, then why would you expect them to do the same for you?

8. Don't be social media obsessed.

Now I love social media! It makes the world a much smaller place and can connect friends and family from all over the world. You can find information out in a matter of seconds, share your opinion and even get retweeted by Judd Apatow (still fan girling over that). But we are in our 20's. Does it matter how many likes your Instagram picture gets? Or how "fat" (see number 9) you look? No it doesn't. What matters is that you like what you post an what you post doesn't hurt others. Again, I love social media, I mean I have; Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr (not really in use), About, LinkedIn, Blogger (duh!), but if this post gets 0 views I am okay with that. The amount of likes doesn't determine your success and failures in life (your habits do)

9. Stop body shaming.

Guilty again. Purposely not wearing something because I look fat, comparing my body to others and my past self. Blaming my weight for my singledom. Looking at other girls and thinking they are too skinny or too fat. It's a terrible flaw that I try to work on daily. And it is my mission to not body shame myself or others out loud or in my head.

10. Be smart about sex.

 I am not sexually active, but I have so many friends who do not have smart sex. Educate yourself with your partner on consequences (other than pregnancy) be proactive get tested, and be honest with your doctor!

11. Don't pretend.

This isn't the 80's, or a John Hughes movie- you can stop pretending to be too cool to care, or too cool to like something. I like Taylor Swift, her music is fun and cliched, and I like it! Why is it that we still care what people think about us, our hair, clothes, choices, music taste...Honestly, why care what others care about? Will it be  the end of the world if people really knew how much you think Nirvana sucks (which they do not by the way, and if you think otherwise...it's okay- I do not care!...(what the hell is wrong with you))-- Just  don't wear their shirt and pretend to be a fan to seem cool. Don't pretend to have had a handful of sexual encounters (boys- yes, I am stereotyping) so you can seem like more of a man- why does that matter to manhood anyways...that's a whole nother post for a whole nother day. Don't pretend like you only eat salads in dainty bites (Ladies!). Don't pretend like you don't care, when you obviously care. Who cares if you care! I don't think that I am bad at this. However, I have been in social situations where I have pretended to be fully interested in a topic and tried so hard to convince everyone that I enjoyed what we were talking about, and even with knowing facts, and not just making crap up, I felt absolutely ridiculous pretending to care when I could care less! 

12. Do what you are passionate about. 

Now, I don't mean quit your job and move to New York to become a starving whatever. But find time in your day to do what you really love doing. Pursue what you really enjoy doing. A really good friend of mine recently got a Nikon with all the kit and kaboodles, an she wants to start a little photography gig on the side. Why not? She is good at it, and likes doing it! Create a portfolio, if you want to make your passion your career, be proactive. 

I, LOVE writing. absolutely love it! even if it is just word vomit, it's my word vomit and I like it. So I want to write and write and write and I will weather it ever sees the light of day or not.

Even if your passion is unconventional, find a way to be passionate about it. Improve yourself, your skill and your all around happiness. Have you ever heard anyone say "I am doing what I love and hate it." or "I hate having time to *insert passion here*" NO! and if you have... you is a lie. 

13. Do something outside your comfort zone every once in a while.

For those of you who don't know me, I am, for the most part, outgoing and bold. Yet, still very reserved. I don't dance, I am not the one to be dared to yell out a car window at a stranger, or kiss a stranger, or do anything that draws too much attention to myself. Well...Last night, I went to a gay club with 3 of my closest friends, we were 4 of the 10 women there, to be honest I'm sure 3/10 were men at one point. All the rest were gay men. My plan was find somewhere to stand and people watch as my friends danced. Well, my plan didn't happen. I went out on the dance floor and danced the night away. I felt like Hannah Horvath from girls- minus the drugs. I enjoyed it. I will never see any of those people again, and made hilarious memories with my friends. With that being shared- I stepped WAY out of my comfort zone. and nothing happened, except for fun. So do something that you normally wouldn't do- Do not go out and do something stupid to push yourself, just something that isn't "you" and for all you know, it may have been a you thing all along.

14. Spend time with those who you love.

you are going to regret choosing your BFF or some party over a family function (especially when your family isn't all that bad). Make time for those one on ones with your close friends who are visiting from out of town, or those friends you love, yet live so far from hanging out isn't as convenient as you would like. Make time for those people who just mean so much to you, the thought of not knowing them makes you ache. This is something that I really need to maintain, growing apart can be avoided. 

15. Write letters. 

We are in a time where going out of our way to tell someone how we feel is endangered. Write a thank you note after you get a gift, and more than a "thanks for the gift!"

When I receive a thank you note, it's like receiving a thank you gift. Hand written notes are so much better than a Facebook post, or a text message! I for one love writing a letter (especially in cursive), but I cared what people would think if they received a random letter from me, now I could care less, and will be giving 'Just because' cards as much as possible. So be on the look out for one! 

16. Make like Tennessee and Volunteer. 

It blows my mind when people volunteer only because they HAD to. What? Not all volunteering is working in a soup kitchen (which is an amazing way to volunteer). Find an organization or a cause that is near and dear to your heart and volunteer at a local event. Why not give your time to help others?... this isn't rhetorical. Seriously, Why not? other than selfishness. You make connections, meets all kinds of different people, and grow as person when you volunteer. Trust me, there is an organization out there for everything. Be proactive and don't make excuses to not volunteer. 

17.  Read a book.

Not an ebook. a book book. I being an avid reader, and book lover, I cannot fathom not enjoying a book. With the plethora of genres and authors there is book out there for everyone. I am going for a book a month. I wish I had time for more. but if the last book you read was To Kill a Mocking Bird (as a class) then aim for a book a year. It will spark imagination. and as adults we need to embrace imagination.

18. Do What makes you Happy!

"If it makes you happy... Then it can't be that bad" If you do more things that make you happy, then you will be happy. "...happy people just don't shoot their husbands. "

So there ya go folks. My list of "resolutions, that should roll over year after year. 

I brought in 2015 with great friends and great memories, I really hope 2015 is filled with good memories and first that are grand and happy. putting positive vibes out there! looking forward to having another year fly by. 

***by the way, I didn't proof read. I am tired, and partied to hard last night. I am shocked I am even a functioning human as of right now...lets face it, I am not. ****