2023 Resolutions/Goals

New Year's Resolutions. We've heard of them, we've had them, we've dreaded them, we've accomplished them. But have you taken time to reflect on why you take part in them? Is it because everyone else is doing it. Is it because you want to feel as if you have a "plan" for the year. Or is it because you genuinely enjoy laying out your goals and crossing them off as you crush them. For some, New Year's resolutions set the tone and path for their year. I fell into this group. Up until recently, I realized that I enjoyed making New Year's resolutions because it sets up a yearly "guide" to how I structure my year to go and fall into place month by month. In a sense, it made me feel as if that is the path that I NEEDED to stay on and follow with little to no room for an open mind and open heart to detours that lead me to other challenges/opportunities because I had my sights heavily set on said year goals.

I realized all of this, this year as I was creating my 2023 resolutions/goals. I sat down and was honest with myself in digging into WHY it is that I do these each year. This year, I still made a list of my resolutions/goals but I did it with an open mind and an open heart. With that being said, I am ready to accept if God and the universe decide to guide me in different directions that are meant to be placed in my life story to mold me into the woman I need to become. I am ready to follow the path paved for me while still reflecting on my resolutions/goals and having an idea of what I am working towards and what my inspiration/motivation to wake up is.

I am listing my goals here because I enjoy having them written and having my audience hold me accountable/follow my journey as each goal slowly falls off my list. My goals are as follows:

• Finish my non-profit organization

• Blog more & incorporate it with my social media

• Put more content on my website

• Promote, market, and do book signings for my children's book

• Win Miss North Carolina North America/USI

• Travel 8 states that I have not been to

• Start investing in stocks

• Cherish time with my grandparents

• Don't be so hard on myself

• Start a savings account for my future company

• Perform more acts of kindness/community service

• Pay off my BMW

• Work on being more present in the moment

• Run a 26.2 full marathon

I encourage you to take time and reflect on what your expectations for the year are. I truly believe setting goals will ALWAYS be an amazing thing, but don't be so tunnel visioned and closed minded to ONLY working on those goals. Open your mind and heart this year and every year from here on out to accept and allow for new goals and challenges to walk in. Once they do, tackle them head on.

A lot of society is lazy and create a New Year's resolution just to FEEL like they are working towards something and have it together. When in reality, at the end of the year when they look back at this list, they maybe crossed one goal off. Or after a week or two into the new year, they fall backwards into their bad habits or familiar ways. I encourage you to be different and hold yourself accountable. I also encourage you to surround yourself with individuals who will help hold you accountable, contribute to your life, and bring positivity/light. Don't fall into the group of society that starts something but doesn't finish it. Have the integrity to see something through. You'll never forget the way you feel once you accomplish said goals. Success and progress is addicting, be the best version of yourself this year. May 2023 be your year.

XOXO,

Tess