As a general rule in life, I do not make “New Year’s resolutions.” I have found that I get disproportionately upset if I don’t fulfill the resolution. I don’t know why I feel so much pressure when it’s an official resolution. I think there may be some social expectation there. I like the prospect that a new year offers, but I would so much rather feel free to try new things and decide if they work for me, rather than trying to force myself to stick to something that just doesn’t work.
This year, I have thought long and hard about things I’d like to change in my life. I have also felt convicted and called out on a few things by the Lord. Some of the things I feel led to stop or start doing will be a piece of cake to do; some of them not so much. I think that in preparation to leave my homeland and travel thousands of miles away doing Kingdom work, I need to be the very best version of myself that I can be. So here we go with my improvements for this year.
1. Social media/phone
*reduce the number of people/pages/accounts that I follow
*delete Twitter account, delete Facebook app on phone, considering deleting Snapchat account
*delete superfluous apps that take up too much time/ “mental” space on my phone
I have realized I consume too much social media and really don’t need it for a hundred different reasons.
2. Email
*unsubscribed from all the junk mail
*not signing up for new junk mail
I found myself getting irrationally angry at how full my inbox was of stuff I don’t read or care about. I also deleted my work email from my phone. (Here’s to only working at work!)
3. Organization
*cutting out excess from my life
*getting rid of things I don’t currently need or use
*selling furniture, extra clothes, books, and other belongings
*writing EVERYTHING down (if not, I’ll forget!)
The ruthlessness with which I have attacked the excess in my life has given several of my friends and family members heart palpitations. My justification is this: I’m traveling the world for a year with only what I can carry on my back. When I return to the US, I will not like or need much of what I own. Why not get rid of it all?
4. Noise
*less TV, movies
*less time on internet (no news, political posts, sad/angry stuff, etc.)
This applies to so many different things. I am cutting out things that do not add discernible value to my life. I need to fill myself up with good!
5. Food/exercise
*no Coca Cola (makes me sick, even though I LOVE it!)
*more water, less of everything else- I don’t need to drink calories
*less fast food, more bringing my lunch to work and eating at home
*I joined a gym! I need to get fit and strong to be able to lug my pack around the world!
Food is life and exercise sucks, so sometimes I struggle but I’m getting there!
6. Personal
*reducing negativity, judgment, complaining, and unkind thoughts about myself
*gaining control over my tongue
*only speaking words that are kind, true, and encouraging
*increasing joy in my life
I am susceptible to negativity, judgment, complaining, and discouragement. God calls his followers to think and behave exactly opposite of that. I am being deliberate to be more kind, positive, encouraging, and joyful.
7. Spiritual
*scheduling out scripture “assignments”
*paraphrasing the scripture to an accountability group so that I fully grasp the meaning
*deliberate and specific prayer time (written and spoken)
*pray continuously throughout my day (not just during “prayer” times)
I wrote down scripture “assignments” on every single day of the year. If I write things down, they will get done! (See organization section 
) I realized toward the end of planning it out that I will end up reading almost the entire bible this year! My goal here is to grow to know the Lord better. How can I know Him without reading his words and preach his Good News if my heart isn’t steeped in his truth?
8. Relationships
*striving for healthy relationships rooted in Christ
*investing time and energy in only relationships that encourage, strengthen, and grow me
*not holding onto bad relationships out of fear
*not being a bad friend (being a good one and the kind that I want to have!)
This one is going to be the hardest for me. I have noticed that some people in my life make me feel small, discouraged, sad, and generally bad. This isn’t one of those “if you don’t believe everything I believe I’m cutting you out of my life” things. I have begun to realize the importance of having solid people in your tribe. This year, I need positive and building, not negative and damaging.
I have a lot of self-work to do this year. I’m excited and happy to do it. Jesus never wavered and stayed patient with his disciples, but he also called them to more. God is asking a lot of me over the next two years, and I am honored and humbled, but I also feel spurred on to give him my very very best.
Don’t hesitate to reach out (through comments, Facebook, whatever) and let me know if you have questions. If you’d like to support me financially, please click my “donate” tab at the top of the page. Thanks for being on this journey with me!
