Welcome 2018! My New Year Resolutions

It is crazy to think that 2017 is coming to an end. Sometimes it's just difficult to wrap our head around how fast time flies. It seems as if it were only yesterday that I made up my mind to start this little blog of my own, and now almost a year has passed since then.

Today I'd like to open up and share a list of my new year resolutions for the year 2018. They say people like to make resolutions but when all the exciting New Year's Eve party ended and all the confetti and fireworks have fallen to the ground, all those high expectations and excitement we have for the new year will gradually and eventually died with them. We go back to our mundane, busy life and repeat the same things we did last year.

But really though? Is it the cold heart truth that we always have high and unrealistic expectations for the future yet only to be let down by the real world?

When I look back and think about the many things I have done in 2017, I find this particular year to be rather productive, exciting and different from the year before. I believe that every year we go out there and accomplish something, we do things we've never done before, we grow and expand as human beings. So yes, I do believe in the new year and new hopes for the future

So without dragging this too long, here are my new year resolutions!

1. Travel to at least three countries or more
I think we could all agree that traveling allows us to relax, broaden our minds and see the many wonders of the world. In 2017, I have gotten some great opportunities to travel to some truly incredible foreign lands. Being able to experience the cultural differences and meet other adventurers and explorers from all over the world is definitely an experience of a lifetime.

Travel also gives me a chance to take a step back from my busy everyday schedule and be inspired by new things. There is nothing like the feeling of stepping on to the soil of a faraway continent and your senses being stimulated by all the exotic landscape, people speaking in different languages that you don't understand. It makes us realize how big and fascinating the world is and how trivial and insignificant our daily worries and problems are compared to it.

2. Be more positive & kind
If you really know me, you probably know that I can be a very cynical and negative-thinking person when I'm frustrated with life. Sometimes it is just easier to complain and make sardonic remarks when you are in a less ideal situation, whether it be an obstacle at work or when things don't go my way. There's nothing wrong with being cynical and sarcastic at times, however, I've found that it's so easy to get sucked into that negative black hole and going circle thinking why god is so unfair to me. So in the new year, I'd like to do my best to see the positive side of things and not dwell on the negative events, have more faith in myself and other people.

3. Work on self-confidence and self-love
"Before one decides to fall head over heels for someone, one needs to learn to truly accept and love herself/himself first." And that pretty much says it all. Self-confidence and self-love are so much easier said than done. I'm a firm believer that there is no better company to walk through this journey of life than yourself. To love and have confidence in ourselves is the first step, to get to know who you are as a person and what you would like to pursue in life is one of the most important things we could ever accomplish for ourselves.

4. Read more books
I aim to read more books in 2018, not just a magazines or book reviews, but an actual book. As much as there are plenty of podcasts and audiobooks out there nowadays, there's nothing like being able to hold a book and really immerse yourself in it for a couple of hours.


5. Spend more time in nature & Work-out
Now, these two go hand in hand together. I'm a super lazy person, whenever I don't have to work, I generally like to stay in, watch a movie or a TV show, and indulge in snacks and popcorn. It's not the most healthy habit and I really hope I could find the strength and time to work out more. However looking back in 2017, I did spend my fair share of time in nature and enjoy being outside. I do love a nice stroll down the park on a sunshine day, I'd like to think I am on the right track of developing a better and healthier lifestyle, lol!

6. Be more productive at work
I sincerely wish and hope my work life goes smoothly and productively. I feel like now I am in a place where I'd want to work hard and I welcome challenges, new projects and new things to learn with open arms. I'd like to acquire more knowledge and skills, meet people and professionals that inspire me to be the best that I can be in my line of work.

I also would like to write and produce more creative content here on my blog:)

8. Save up!
Last but definitely not least, I need to save up. I'm kind of a big spender, not gonna lie. In the new year, I have made up my mind to start managing my finance more wisely and strategically.

...And that concludes my new year resolutions! Have you been working on your new year resolutions? Let me know in the comments below and I believe I will see you guys in 2018 :) No matter what they say, I do think that a new year brings new hope and motivations to us all, we all get a fresh start and a brand new beginning, and whatever we choose to do with that new chance is entirely up to us.

Stay cozy and have a magical new year's eve! xoxo