The Year Ahead

Photo by Kevin Chen

New Year's resolutions have never really been my thing. I'd usually set one vaguely ambitious goal, give the year a dramatic name, and then more or less just vibe my way through it. Now that I've graduated, I don't really have an excuse not to be more deliberate about improving myself. So this year, I've decided to hold myself accountable by setting smaller, more achievable goals.

• The first goal I want to commit to is reading more, especially non-fiction. If I manage to stick to it, I'll be sharing my thoughts and short reviews of what I read here.

• The second goal is to put myself out there more: volunteering, taking part in new activities, and getting involved in projects that broaden my experiences and push me into spaces I wouldn't normally explore.

• The final goal is to make healthier day-to-day decisions, whether that means skipping the upsized meal or being more mindful about how much time I spend doom-scrolling.

Either way, I think focusing on smaller, more attainable goals gives me a better chance of actually following through. Progress does not have to be dramatic to be meaningful, and consistency matters far more than grand intentions. If I can show up for these goals regularly, even in small ways, that will be a win in itself.