New Year's Resolutions | by Samantha Patino

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…

Hands shoot up in the air, confetti flies, and noise makers whirl as the world waves goodbye to another year.  Everyone moves towards each other in one fluid motion, and they begin to hug and kiss, celebrating the end of one year, and the beginning of a new one.  As the celebration dies down a thought always seems to come creeping into everyone’s brains; “What do I want gain this year? And, who do I want to become?”  Mainly people condense those two questions down into three words; New Year’s Resolutions.  Resolutions vary from wanting to eat healthier to wanting to think more positively.  And sometimes it takes longer to decide what it is that you want to take out of the new year, while other times you have known what you want for the past two months.  Five days have already flashed by in this new year, and it took up until now to think of a resolution that I want to commit to.  Each year I make my resolutions very vague and I’m never able to follow them through.  They always seem to be forgotten after the first month, and by the end of the year I no longer remember what my resolution was in the first place.  This year, I plan to treat every night like New Year’s Eve, and make a new resolution for myself that I will carry out the next day.  It will force me to reflect on my day and help me decide what I want to take out of the next day.  Eventually, I hope that this resolution will help me evolve into an overall better person.  Although I did waste a couple days thinking of how I wanted my year to go, at least I finally found a resolution that will not wear off until next December 31st.  

Bullet Journaling By Mrs. Kopp

Each year, in December, I start to think about my goals for the upcoming year.  I used to write long lists of resolutions, but was then perpetually disappointed when I wasn't able to fulfill all of them (who has time to run for 100 days in a row?).  Then, for a while, each member of my family would choose one word that we hoped would represent the new year (I'd make little wood signs with each word because I love to paint and use my Cricut machine). 

As I think of 2017, I realize that there is one area of my life that I want to focus on and that is my life as a writer.  Before I was married and had children, I used to write all the time.  I would fill journals with thoughts, poetry, and drawings, but then suddenly- I just stopped.  Despite the fact that I still collect journals (and bookmarks) because I LOVE THEM, I wasn't writing.  

So, in 2017, I want to write every single day.  But, I know that I won't have time for that and it makes me sad.  Then I heard about something called Bullet Journaling.

Bullet Journaling is supposed to be a way to quickly organize plans, activities and thoughts.  I loved this idea and I'm ready to go. 

First, I purchased a fun planner that had enough room for me to bullet journal on each day of the year.

I purchased this at Michael's craft store (another favorite of mine- I wish I could live there) for only $11.99 (70%off)

Then, I got some pens that make me happy (I know, I know it's weird).  Now I can write a few sentences a day or more, if I have the urge and time.  I already added some poems leading up to the January calendar. I am so excited about this and I encourage each of you to find a way to achieve one goal in 2017. 

Happy New Year!