Dear Alyssa, 2014...
Well we're one day into 2014, I'm now 23 and the possibilities for this year are endless.
I don't typically make resolutions for myself, as I know I'm lazy and would never do them.
However, this year, I've decided to kick it up.
It's not just about bettering my appearance or being healthier.
It's about being happier and living a fuller life.
In high school, we wrote ourselves letters to open after we graduated.
I loved the advice I'd given myself and laughed at the things I used to be interested in.
It's clear that the one who knows you best, is yourself.
Therefore, I've written this to myself in hopes that I'll look back at it throughout the year and remember what I was aiming for.
Dear Alyssa,
Don't be embarrassed by your own opinions.
You don't have to announce to men that you're a feminist when they ask you out.
They'll figure it out eventually and if they start arguing with your opinion, one of two things will happen: they'll either grasp a new understanding or they'll leave you. Who cares?!
Do the things you've always wanted to.
Go skydiving.
Volunteer at the women's center.
I don't typically make resolutions for myself, as I know I'm lazy and would never do them.
However, this year, I've decided to kick it up.
It's not just about bettering my appearance or being healthier.
It's about being happier and living a fuller life.
In high school, we wrote ourselves letters to open after we graduated.
I loved the advice I'd given myself and laughed at the things I used to be interested in.
It's clear that the one who knows you best, is yourself.
Therefore, I've written this to myself in hopes that I'll look back at it throughout the year and remember what I was aiming for.
Dear Alyssa,
Don't be embarrassed by your own opinions.
You don't have to announce to men that you're a feminist when they ask you out.
They'll figure it out eventually and if they start arguing with your opinion, one of two things will happen: they'll either grasp a new understanding or they'll leave you. Who cares?!
Do the things you've always wanted to.
Go skydiving.
Volunteer at the women's center.
Do a rally for young women's self esteem.
Enter a writing contest.
Try spoken word poetry.
Pick your guitar back up.
Don't be afraid of possibilities.
Not every date is perfect. Take a chance.
Tall, dark, and handsome, might just look a little shorter, a little lighter, and a little goofier.
Cultivate yourself with new understandings.
Pay attention to politics.
Ask other people's true opinions.
Educate yourself with other cultures and religions.
Get a new perspective and understanding.
Don't be shy about your talents. Having them doesn't make you cocky.
You're enjoying what you love.
Do something with your music.
Write more.
Video more.
Who cares what people think?
Love yourself.
You ARE beautiful.
Your hair is thin, but soft.
Your skin is pale, but smooth.
Stop staring at your double chin in all of your pictures.
Most people don't even notice it!!
Love your smile.
When you smile, it's happiness that touches your heart.
Don't be insecure.
Smiling is a reflection of joy and is contagious.
Smile more.
Laugh at Yourself.
Not to be confused with making fun of yourself.
Mistakes happen.
Learn from them.
Cry when necessary, never apologizing for it.
Be honest with yourself.
Be honest with others about your feelings.
While hugs are symbolic to you, by letting someone hold you,
sometimes it's okay to let someone do that.
It's okay to need people.
Write more.
Every day.
About everything.
Watch less television Get on the internet less.
Rely on your phone less.
Make new friendships.
Strengthen bonds.
Spend at least one night a week with your friends.
Rely on people to help you because it's OKAY to need people.
Being healthy really is a good thing.
Run more.
Take a yoga class.
Drink more water.
Cook more.
Exercise with friends.
Love your body.
Bikinis aren't for everyone.
There are at least 7 guys who have complimented your body, recently.
Accept it.
You're NOT fat.
STOP making fun of yourself.
Fat jokes are just a sign that you're insecure.
You don't have to date someone fat to make yourself feel better.
Size doesn't matter.
And zero is NOT a size.
Enter a writing contest.
Try spoken word poetry.
Pick your guitar back up.
Don't be afraid of possibilities.
Not every date is perfect. Take a chance.
Tall, dark, and handsome, might just look a little shorter, a little lighter, and a little goofier.
Cultivate yourself with new understandings.
Pay attention to politics.
Ask other people's true opinions.
Educate yourself with other cultures and religions.
Get a new perspective and understanding.
Don't be shy about your talents. Having them doesn't make you cocky.
You're enjoying what you love.
Do something with your music.
Write more.
Video more.
Who cares what people think?
Love yourself.
You ARE beautiful.
Your hair is thin, but soft.
Your skin is pale, but smooth.
Stop staring at your double chin in all of your pictures.
Most people don't even notice it!!
Love your smile.
When you smile, it's happiness that touches your heart.
Don't be insecure.
Smiling is a reflection of joy and is contagious.
Smile more.
Laugh at Yourself.
Not to be confused with making fun of yourself.
Mistakes happen.
Learn from them.
Cry when necessary, never apologizing for it.
Be honest with yourself.
Be honest with others about your feelings.
While hugs are symbolic to you, by letting someone hold you,
sometimes it's okay to let someone do that.
It's okay to need people.
Write more.
Every day.
About everything.
Rely on your phone less.
Make new friendships.
Strengthen bonds.
Spend at least one night a week with your friends.
Rely on people to help you because it's OKAY to need people.
Being healthy really is a good thing.
Run more.
Take a yoga class.
Drink more water.
Cook more.
Exercise with friends.
Love your body.
Bikinis aren't for everyone.
There are at least 7 guys who have complimented your body, recently.
Accept it.
You're NOT fat.
STOP making fun of yourself.
Fat jokes are just a sign that you're insecure.
You don't have to date someone fat to make yourself feel better.
Size doesn't matter.
And zero is NOT a size.
Seriously, stop apologizing for everything!
Don't apologize for the music that's playing in your car.
Don't apologize for crying.
Don't apologize for having bad days.
Don't apologize for your opinions.
Don't apologize for not knowing something.
Don't apologize for "looking bad" today.
Don't apologize before asking a question.
Don't apologize for being upset with someone--those are your feelings!
Don't apologize for your feelings!
I think 2014 is going to be a great year. I hope those of you who are reading this, take some of these resolutions and apply them to your own lives.
We have the power to make every year a great one, with a little positivity.
Sure, we probably won't make every single one of our resolutions come true, but at least we have a goal and we're trying. That's all that matters. (:
Happy New Year!!!
And to kick off the year, how about a fun Gavin Degraw song! ;)
Comments
Post a Comment