This is the time of year when everyone makes plans on how to better themselves and figure out a way to make their new resolutions stick. I have always been the kind of person to start to plan for something and get mentally prepared for a new goal, but when the time comes to start the resolution, I usually mess up within the first few days. According to US News, 80% of New Year’s Resolutions fail by February.

As I was thinking about this year and what my resolution was going to be, I became very stuck. According to the Telegraph, the top three resolutions are 1. Exercise more 2. Lose weight 3. Eat more healthy. I mean, I could always go to the gym more, but gymtimidation is a real thing. I could always drink more water, but I usually forget my water bottle on my way to class. I should probably stop spending money on Starbucks, but a Very Berry Hibiscus with Lemonade instead of water is so tempting. I pretty much gave up on New Year’s Resolutions this year. Until I started talking to some of my friends.

This year a couple people that I am close with decided that worldly, physical resolutions aren’t always attainable. I couldn’t agree more. They decided that instead of giving up something for a couple weeks or going on a super strict health kick for a month, they were going to pick a couple words to life by in 2019. I heard that and thought it was an incredible idea and got to thinking about doing that instead. I spent a little bit thinking about if I were to do that instead, what my words would be for 2019, and I came up with “bold” and “courageous”.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary to be bold is to be “fearless before danger” or “showing or requiring a fearless daring spirit.” And to be courageous is to have or be characterized by courage, and courage is “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.” With those words and definitions in mind throughout 2019 I hope to see a change in my perception of the world and all that it has to offer. To be bold and to be courageous are two things I want to start incorporating into my life.

While physical, worldly resolutions may be good for some people and they are able to stick with it, I know that I cannot. I usually give in to the temptation of pop or make up an excuse to not go to the gym but having words in the back of your mind throughout the year can stick with you because they are words not actions, but they are words that can cause actions.

If you are anything like me and cannot stick to a resolution, I encourage you to think about the possibility of having two to three  words that you hope to define 2019 by. It is really not too late to start because maybe by now your New Year’s Resolution has already fallen through like mine has. Give this one a shot and see how your mindset changes throughout the year. Look and see how your daily life transforms because of two or three simple words.