For the entirety of my young adult life, my New Years Resolutions have always been the same. I think the reason my resolutions end up being the same every single year is because every year I would never actually follow through with them. So every new year, was a another year I was going to “really do it this time”.

Anyway, my New Years Resolutions always looked something like this:

1. Lose weight
2. Get fit
3. Switch to a more natural lifestyle
4. Make healthier choices when it comes to food
5. Drink less
6. Make this summer the best one yet

And that list would sort of go on-and-on, following the same trend that you see above. Everything is just so surface level and so vain.

Looking back, it is so embarrassing to think that what I was going to do in 2016, my big contribution to the new year, was to look great in a bathing suit.

So, I have decided it is time to make some changes.

So after a lot of soul-searching, here are the 2017 New Years Resolutions from the Big Blonde Brain.

Mind my own business.

This one might be hard to explain but for me it means that I don’t need to know 103% of the details regarding a situation that I am not a part of.

Be kinder, in front of people and behind their back.

I am entitled to my own opinions but until I have been in your shoes, or have gone through the experiences you have who am I to say anything?

Be better at having and holding conversations with my friends.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am the worst at 1.) Texting you back and 2.) Answering the phone when you call. I don’t know what it is, sometimes I am just exhausted from human-ing all day and the last thing I want to do is talk to anyone about anything. Which brings me to my next resolution…

Talk about myself less.

This is going to sound so terrible but something I have noticed with myself is that in conversation I always flip the conversation around to talk about myself in some way. It’s very unattractive and incredibly annoying. Now I don’t always do this! But I notice myself doing it more than is appropriate. I am not sure if anyone else notices this, but I do and I am not a fan.

Be more trusting in Gods plan for my life and my life with my Husband.

Simple as that.

Stop just saying things because I think it’s what people want to hear.

Yet another moment of self realization. Sometimes I will just agree with people and their view on a situation because I am afraid that if I don’t, they won’t look at me the same or think we have anything in common. I have noticed that I will just say whatever I think the person opposite me in conversation wants to hear and that has to change. I am entitled to my thoughts and opinions and I have the freedom to express them.

Put more effort into my blog.

I love to write and to write about things that resonate with others, particularly those close to my age or in a part of their life that is similar to mine.

Be honest about when I do and don’t want to do something.

I am famous for saying “I don’t care” and then feeling so sad that I didn’t stick up for what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go. I am also notorious for saying “I don’t care, you  pick” and then getting pissed off when the other person (a tall, bearded man to whom I am betrothed who shall remain nameless) makes the decision and it’s not what I really wanted.

Try to be more patient.

I have a tendency to brush things and people off rather quickly but I should probably remember that not everyone comes from the same circumstances as I do.

Make a baby.

I am so ready to become a Mother and my Husband is going to be the most amazing Father. I can’t say when it will happen, it may be months into the New Year. But I am determined.

And just for fun, here is a short list of things that I will not deal with in 2017.

Watch my language.

Every year I say I am going to be more lady-like in my choice of words. While I know there is an appropriate time and volume at which to use foul language I will not slap myself on the hand for letting one slip out.

Stress about things outside of my control.

If I cannot change it, why am I worrying about it? Is losing sleep at night going to make it better? If I eat my feelings for a week straight is a magical fairy going to show up and solve all my problems? No.

Put overwhelming amounts of pressure on myself about money.

Are our bills paid? Do we have a good life? We do? Okay, then I am fine with that. My Husband and I are still under 30 so as long as we can say we’re doing our best, and we’re being responsible with our financial choices I would say there is nothing to really worry about. Everything works itself out.

Eat because I am bored or stressed.

That helps literally nothing and no one, most importantly myself.

So there it is, the line-up of resolutions I have for 2017. I am sure I will screw some of them up at some point or another but for the most part I think I can handle these.

And you know what I think? I think if I can manage to do all of those things, those “surface-level” things I want to accomplish will come to me as a by-product. I think these resolutions are the makings of seeing a better image of myself. I think if I can follow through with those resolutions I will start to feel (and maybe even look) like a happier, more confident person. Someone who truly loves who she is.