Welp, we’re almost there. 2015 is literally around the corner. I’ve been thinking about New Year’s for a while, and I’ve already written 15 resolutions for 2015 (they’re below, in the order they came to mind). This is a personal list based on where I felt I had some shortcomings in 2014. If you have similar resolutions, or if you have your list posted somewhere, please share in the comments! Let’s keep each accountable and encourage each other to stick to our resolutions for 2015.

15 New Year’s Resolutions for 2015

1 // Keep my promises.

I can be such a flake. I aim to please, so it’s too easy for me to say “Sure, I’ll do that,” or “Yeah, I’ll be there.” I say yes before I figure out whether I actually have the time or ability to do what I say I’m going to do. I used to reason away this behavior by calling myself unselfish and always willing to do for others. In all actuality, breaking promises is one of the more selfish things you can do. Especially if you make a promise knowing there’s no way you can keep it. I’ve broken promises to myself, too. Like when I tell myself, “Oh, I’ll start waking up early and going to the gym.” If I can break promises to myself, there’s no way I’m going to keep the ones I make to others. So I’m starting with me in 2015 and praying that my word eventually starts meaning something next year.

2 // Be present.

It’s as simple as looking up. Taking a look around. Breathing it all in. Taking a new route to work. Sometimes I have a problem turning off the to-do list that lives in my mind, but I want to disconnect from the mundane and be fully engaged in whatever I’m doing, even if it doesn’t get me any closer to checking an item off my list.

3 // Keep in touch.

Ugh. With all the ways to keep in touch these days, I have no excuse for how little contact I had with close friends in 2014. When I saw all my friends at our wedding, I realized how much I missed them, and I want to make more of an effort to keep in touch with my close friends on a regular basis.

4 // Create a morning routine

This has been the hardest thing for me because I lack self-discipline. I just can’t get out of bed at a decent time. I can’t tell myself “no” when it comes to that extra 30-60 minutes of sleep. And for what? So I can rush through my morning praying I’m not late for work again? No, ma’am. I want a routine that allows me to spend some quality time with the Lord, do some household chores (I much prefer cleaning during the day), get in a decent workout and pack my breakfast and lunch for the day (saving me a TON of money). A morning routine is the first on my list of things to tackle once we get back from Thailand.

5 // Write it down.

For about eight or nine years, I kept a daily journal. I wrote something down almost every night starting with a homework assignment in the sixth grade and ending in my sophomore year of college. My daily journal turned into an occasional prayer journal that I kept until I moved to New York. I don’t think I’ve written anything for myself in almost two years. I love that The Feisty House has evolved into a space where I can do more writing, but I need to go back to putting pen to paper just for me and God.

6 // Pray out loud.

It’s one thing to pray in your head. It’s another thing entirely to hear yourself utter those words. Audible prayer keeps me more accountable. If I heard myself say it, I’m more likely to remember it. I take it more seriously. I don’t think I’ll pray out loud all the time, but at least a few times a week.

7 // Be a good steward.

Every year I get better and better with money and budgeting, but I’m still not where I want to be yet. I want to save more and give more. I want to spend less (way less) and use my money more wisely. I also want to be a better steward of my time. I want to spend less time on Pinterest, more time actually doing things.

8 // Take more photos.

Photographs are so special. They literally capture a moment in time so you can relive it whenever you want. There’s so much beauty in my life right now, and I’d love to be able to be able to look back on this period of my life and remember all the amazing moments I saved on film.

9 // Work smarter…and harder.

I have always done things the hard way. I don’t understand why. When I took piano lessons, I taught myself my own fingerings. Of course, that made playing complicated songs so much more difficult. In school I did the same thing…I’ve just always felt more comfortable with my own way of doing things and less concerned with efficiency. I don’t really have the time for that style of getting it done anymore. If I’m going to continue to work a full-time job and get my business off the ground this year (oh yeah…I’m really doing it), then I need to maximize my time by working smarter…and harder.

10 // Prioritize.

Related to working smarter, I want to prioritize in 2015. I always end up doing the things I want to do, and the things I’m not interested in doing keep falling farther and farther down my list. I want to be disciplined enough to do the difficult, not-so-fun-but-super-important things that need to get done before I start doing the less labor-intensive and not-as-important things that I enjoy more.

11 // Protect my youth.

You only live once, right? So I want to preserve my health, well-being and youthfulness for as long as I can. That means drinking more water, eating clean, exercising more often and taking better care of my body in 2015.

12 // Give gifts. Say thanks.

I love giving gifts, but I’m bad about remembering birthdays and anniversaries. I wasn’t particularly good at Christmas this year either. I show love by giving gifts to others, and I want to do more of that in 2015. Next year I want to be overwhelmed by a spirit of gratefulness. I’ve had so many wonderful things happen in my life over the past year, and I just want to spend 2015 saying “thank you.”

13 // Be shameless.

The projects I have lined up for 2015 will require me to be out in the world getting people to believe in my ideas. So I have to believe in myself 100% and have absolutely no shame in my passion or doubt in my abilities. I’m a confident person, but self-promotion has always been difficult for me. I can’t afford not to be out there having those conversations though, so wish me luck…

14 // Connect. Learn. Grow.

Every month next year, I want to meet at least one new person, learn one new thing, and grow in one new area of my life. I want to become part of a larger community and develop my tribe. I want to vibe with like-minded people in real life, not just on social media. I want to be inspired by ordinary women who are doing extraordinary things. And I want my beliefs to be challenged by new experiences and, in turn, strengthened.

15 // Explore.

I live in one of the greatest cities in the world, yet I spend most of my time indoors. Next year, I’m looking to explore the world, not just overseas, but also in my own backyard. There’s so much to see and do, and I want to take full advantage of all that this big, beautiful city has to offer.

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What have you resolved to do differently (or keep the same) in 2015? I’d love to hear more about your plans for the new year!

XO

Photo Source // Deb Schwedhelm Photography (she’s SO talented)

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