As 2014 rapidly draws to a close, many conscientious adults are starting to reflect on the year past and the year still yet to come. I am reluctant to admit that I have not stuck to my New Year’s resolution; to keep a positivity jar and put inside every single happy memory, be it big or small, into said jar.
As with every resolution made, the year started off with the best intentions. I would say that I kept my jar topped up (and that is not a euphemism) consistently until around May/June. It was around that time that I exhibited my final show, moved back home, and completed my degree. I achieved a not too shabby 2:1, and had the entire summer to either work my butt off, or go on holiday and party with a bang. I chose the first of the two. I went back to working in retail, keeping my ear to the ground and applying for every creative job that I felt was for me.
Now we are in November, and, although I am still working in retail, I feel that the opportunity I have been waiting for is just around the corner. This is uncharacteristically positive for me, but it is the push that I need to make 2015 a truly great year.
The first mistake that every perfectionist like myself makes is making their New Year goal too big, setting the bar too high. Let’s be honest, we are setting ourselves up to fail. Do not aim to change as a person, just change your attitude to certain situations and social conventions. For example, instead of aiming to lose a certain amount of weight and obsessing over calorie counting, eat your dinner on a smaller plate, take food to work instead of buying it, and keep your cupboards un-cluttered of rubbish food. Instead of paying lots of money on a gym membership you know you are not going to keep up, buy a pedometer, use your bike more often and learn how to hoola hoop. It really can be simple as that.
It seems to me that living in the 21st century encourages negativity about new things and spontaneity. Everyone can afford to be a bit more spontaneous, and do something just because they want to, not because they feel that they have to. I find that creativity is stifled because Western culture is in a social rut, and the only way to end that rut is to break routine and change your attitude to how you live your life.
Making small changes to your surroundings makes more of a difference than anyone realises. For instance, buying that crazy painting you thought might be just a little too wacky, or wearing an LBD and pearls to work like you’re Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. It seems silly, but making short term goals that involve small alterations is much more effective than making massive long term goals that encourage drastic change. You are also more likely to keep your resolution that way.
It is the same with your spending choices. Unfortunately, the south suffers from higher housing prices, (seemingly) higher Council Tax, even products in supermarkets are dearer down here. So another good New Year’s resolution is to save a little bit every month and love Vintage!
With all of these factors in mind, I want my New Year’s resolution for 2015 to be based around my personal style, and how I look after myself. I will set myself targets to make 3 blog posts a week, and 1 YouTube video log a week. I will paint my nails more often, make sure I keep a consistent skin routine, and try my very best to drink more water! Whilst these goals may seem insignificant and small, they are more likely to be kept up as they open up a path for me to create more positive changes to my style and life.
Another change I want to make to my own personal 2015 is to read more. Now my degree is finished, I can read because of sheer pleasure and interest, rather than just for the purpose of writing my dissertation. Finally, I vow more than anything else mentioned so far, to write more. It does not matter what it is; a poem, short story, article, blog post. Writing is the greatest way for me express my creativity, share my opinions and discuss ideas and theories made by others. Plus, most importantly, it is just bloody fun!
Perhaps, like me, it might be good to reflect on your attitude to social conventions, and see how you can change them, little by little, instead of changing your whole self. Because, be honest, you are pretty damn fabulous as is!!
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