By Rachael Ramchand

The second month of the new year has begun and as people are still settling in, consequently, they might have forgotten all about their resolutions that they came up with when the clock struck 12 a.m.. However, it’s not too late — you can still start off the month fresh and wipe the slate clean by doing things differently. This may sound cheesy, but it is possible.

Nothing is wrong with being realistic at certain times, but what a lot of people don’t realize is that the more you keep on pushing for those goals, the closer you would be to arriving at them. Some people may not reach the exact level that they’d want to be at, but they would be much further than they were before they took that risk.

After asking a couple students on campus what were their goals for 2019, the responses varied. Kay Morris, a freshman majoring in Chemistry, said that her resolution for the new year is “to work on self-acceptance and self-love.” When asked if she felt that she has been following through with this, she said, “So far, yes.”

Having goals and sticking to them will bring change––it’s inevitable. However, that anxiety you begin to feel as you’re about to enter into this journey is normal, so you can’t make it hold you back. This journey is for you, no one else. Stop relying and waiting on other people to get you to the end. Do it by yourself and then have them add to the experience. Accept who and where you are. While doing this, you can enhance and keep working on yourself. You are the only person that can make and ensure all of this happens.

There are a lot of people who know what their goals are, but aren’t too sure how to achieve them. They tend to create their resolutions through identifying what they desire for themselves but instead of trying to achieve them step by step, they skip some of these steps thinking they’d get there faster. Sadly, it doesn’t work like this for most of the many goals we all want to accomplish.

Catherine Rustein, a sophomore majoring in psychology, said she wants “to focus on [her] physical and mental health by working out, eating healthier and keeping up with school.”

After identifying your resolutions, figuring out the the simplest yet most efficient way to do this should be done in parts. For example, if your goal is to work on improving yourself both physically and emotionally, try starting off by eating better (if you don’t already.) According to Mental Health America, the types of foods and drinks you consume impacts how well your mind and body are able to function. Since eating healthier improves both your mind and body energy, this may put you in a better mood and physical state.

You can now move on to the next step: Working out. Starting the gym or doing a home-workout once or twice a week can further improve both your body and mind. If you overwork yourself you may begin to feel exhausted and as though your goal is impossible to achieve. Take it slow.

Alexandra Charne, a freshman majoring in Management, wants to spend less money on unnecessary items and to be happier and confident. She also mentioned that she has stuck with most of these goals so far.

When you want to achieve something, it takes a lot of patience. Even if you catch yourself skipping the gym or eating an extra chocolate bar, don’t punish yourself. Instead, move past it and next time, try rewarding yourself with your favorite treat whenever you have gone a full week without doing things that would be holding you back. Don’t make it boring. Little accomplishments to get to the big goal is what makes it enjoyable.

Eventually, you may even start to have bigger goals which result in you helping others, exploring the world and becoming more aware of who you are and your purpose. You’re not here forever. Make an impact before you go. The world needs more of this if it’s going to survive and grow stronger, and as the saying goes, it all starts with you.

Our life here is mind blowing. No one knows how we’re here or why. But I genuinely believe that we all have a purpose, and that purpose is for us to figure out. Once you know, you know. Don’t stop trying new things and ensuring those goals are accomplished. That sense of achievement after accomplishing  these resolutions isn’t going to be easy to find and feel, but nothing worthwhile ever is.

Rachael Ramchand can be reached at rachael.ramchand@spartans.ut.edu