New Years Resolutions

At the time of writing this, it is currently New Years Eve – a time when many reflect on their last year, and make resolutions to make the next their best.

Putting it bluntly, 2017 has been a pretty bad year as far as the modern times are concerned, where the entire world is concerned anyway. Terrorism, erratic behaviour from world leaders, sexual harassment claims in their tens emerging from Hollywood: the list goes on. So I would understand if someone said this year was horrendous from looking at this list, they would be right.

So on this fine (rainy) Sunday morning, I was sat on my phone as many do, and I stumbled across a story about a girl and her birthday cake. This looks like I have entirely changed topic, but hear me out. A random stranger, who’s daughter had sadly passed away, paid for the young girls cake, as they would have celebrated their birthday on the same day. In the card he attached, it basically said “please enjoy this”. And to me, this couldn’t have come at a better time because it basically sums up 2017.

The heartbreak and grief of the loss of his child was channelled into kindness. The bad happenings eventually made other things better.

But still, when looking back on this year, we shouldn’t just be stating the worst like I did at the beginning of the post but find the good in everything.

The women’s march, done as accused sexual predator Donald Trump was inaugurated, with 1 million marchers in Washington alone, with around 2 million others in different parts of the world. This was the largest single day demonstration in US history, and triggered other movements such as the “me too” campaign, uniting those who have had similar experiences with harassment.

If you’re a Royalist, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting again. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got engaged, releasing pictures that didn’t just show of wealth, instead purely love.

Finally, my main inspiration, Malala Yousafzai started classes at Oxford University; the same university that the first female president of Pakistan went too. She was shot five years ago by the Taliban for trying to go to school, and has been an advocate for education rights ever since. The fact she made it to one of the most prestigious universities in the UK after all of this happened just shows that bad and hate doesn’t always have to win.

So in conclusion, as we go into 2018, don’t make going to the gym, drinking less or travelling more your only goals (even though they are all pretty great and you should totally go for it), add positive mindsets too. It’s as hard as the ones listed, if not harder, but will pay off hugely, and could even make you able to complete your other resolutions, with only 1/10 do.

So when sat on your sofa, tucking into a family sized bar of Cadburys on January 7 (not judging I will too), remember to think positively, at least we’ll be warm!?

Wishing you all the happiness and health for 2018,
Lozza <3