New Year, New Me?

There are certain areas in life that I want to improve in. For instance, I am lactose intolerant. Unfortunately, my body rejects the things I love most in life, which includes cheese and mochas. I was young when I discovered my intolerance to dairy, so I began to take a Lactaid pill (a medication that prevents an upset stomach) before I would consume milk or ice cream. This worked for awhile, until I felt as if I had “grown out of” my lactose intolerance. But, here’s the thing–that’s not something a person simply leaves in the past. Now in college, I find myself still a lactose intolerant, unable to face the fact that I need to pop some pills before indulging in dairy products. This year, I want to be apply what I have learned in the past and apply it to my present life.

When people talk about what their New Years Resolutions, I tend to take them with a grain of salt, due to my own inability to maintain the items that I write on a piece of paper. The thing is, it is appealing to put to paper what you believe you will accomplish in the next year. However, there is a difference between writing it down and actually following through. This year, I want to focus on the action part of resolutions. I have always been the type of gal who gets it done, so to speak, and now I want to apply that to everything I set my mind to. So, what are Vonni’s New Year’s Resolutions?

1. Engage in meaningful conversations. Now, this probably seems like something obvious. A response to this would probably be something like: well, shouldn’t you do that already? But here’s the thing–it is so much easier to talk about the superficial parts of life–the materialistic. It is something that we, as consumers, tend to talk about. The things that connect us. In the past year, however, I have engaged in copious conversations with people that involve what connects us on a deeper level. The stuff that makes a person who they are–what they love, what scares them, what they want out of life, etc. It is so interesting to sit and talk with someone and truly understand who they are. This year, I want to have even more of these conversations.
2. Do more of what makes me happy. I am the kind of person who really cares about what I am doing. I am constantly checking in with myself and asking myself the question: Is this what you really want to be spending your time on? SO, ladies and gents, I have one favor for you all–this year is the year of YOU. Be a little selfish. Do what is best for you. Too often do we put others ahead of ourselves–which, isn’t a bad thing–but, in doing so, we also tend to completely disregard our own emotions in the process. Some activities I want to do more of during this year include: dancing in the streets at midnight, attending more concerts, going on more hikes and hopping on a plane often. These are just some of the things that make me happy, and you can bet that I’ll be doing them.
3. Surrounding myself with people who make me feel GOOD and who also make me laugh and laugh. Man, if you make me laugh, there is a very good chance I want to have you in my life for a long time. There is something about a fun personality paired with a sense of humor that just gets me. Ever since I was little, laughter was something that truly made me feel alive. The way the wrinkles suddenly appear and the way your belly starts to ache (it’s not always from the dairy) makes me feel so WHOLE. There are many people in my life, currently, who make me laugh and smile and just feel giddy. So, this year I am making a pact to engage with more people who make me feel just so. Treat yourself right.

So, there you have it folks. Some of the things that I have on my list for the coming year. Hold me to it. Help a girl out and don’t be afraid to say, “TAKE YOUR LACTAID PILL!” Because, chances are, I am feeling a bit too invincible that day. In this new year, I won’t necessarily think about the mantra “New Year, New Me,” due to the fact that I am at a pretty good place with myself. I think that everyone has the ability to be their best self–to improve what is already there. So, lets start this year off on the right foot, shall we? Surround yourself with good people, good conversation, and some dancing.

Cheers, to 2019.

This was the first picture I took in 2019, with a gal who makes me feel great on the inside. I hope to surround myself with people like her all year long–always down for a laugh, always down for an adventure, and always expressing her true self.