Our 10 Inspirational New Year's Resolutions

Every year, I set my intentions for the year to come. Last year, my best friend and I focused on the things we wanted to let go of...and held a symbolic ceremony to light them all on fire. (Subtle, I know.)

This year, I went the more traditional route. I made 10 new years resolutions and perfectly packaged them as fortune cookie sayings I can carry with me into the new year.  (You know, in case I'm tempted to give up on them a week in.)

I originally designed the fortune lockets as a way of helping manifest visions and carrying meaningful thoughts close. But I realized the lockets also serve another purpose: keeping people from becoming a sad new year's resolution statistic. So, I transformed each of my promises to "do _______" and "be _______" into inspirational new year quotes that will haunt me all year long.

Oh, other thing... Apparently new years resolutions are now controversial? I noticed a few people I follow on instagram floating the idea that resolutions are just another way of focusing on the things you don't like about yourself. I find this conversation totally fascinating, but the reason I bring it up is because this notion influenced me as I sat down to set my intentions for the year. I made a conscious effort to come up with resolutions geared at maximizing joy and minimizing unproductive habits, rather than becoming "better." 

Now, without further ado... Here are the 10 new-year-quotes-turned-inspirational-mantras that I'll be wearing in my locket this year. Feel free to borrow any that you resonate with you!

New Year's resolution number 1 shown in our Flowered Vines Fortune Locket.

1. See you as your grandfather sees you.

Because grandfathers always think you’re beautiful and couldn’t be more proud as they watch you pursue your dreams ✨✨✨

When I originally wrote and posted this one on social, I thought maybe it was too personal for other people to relate to. But after someone commented that their grandfather's parting words to her were that she was beautiful and he was proud of her, I quickly realized that there's a common theme among grandfatherly love. 

New Year's resolution number 2 shown in our Fortune Cookie Locket.

2. Make self-care a non-negotiable.

I'm a complete workaholic. I often wonder what I would be doing if I weren't working, and tell myself that there actually isn't anything I'd rather be doing. I'm sure this is worth some deeper soul-searching, but in the meantime, I can commit to some basic self-care.

I'm not talking going from zero to candle-lit bubble baths every night. Instead, baby steps: go to yoga more often, leave the office at a reasonable hour, make time for friends... Once I graduate from that, I’ll move into the more advanced stuff, like massages, mood lighting and extra coconut on my açaí ✨✨✨ 

3. Treat people you care about as well as you treat strangers.

I noticed that I can be really charming and polite to people I don’t know, but those I care about rarely get to see that side of me. This coming year, I'm going to charm the pants off the most important people in my life ✨✨✨ 

4. Switch it up a little: Try learning things the easy way instead of the hard way.

I dedicate this one to everyone who, like me, prides themselves on being self-taught...and therefore, has picked up a lot of scratches and bruises along their journeys. Your fortune reads: “Switch it up a little: Try learning things the easy way instead of the hard way.” This year will be all about ditching the idea that it has to be hard to be worth it.

 

5. Fear will always be a thing, but don't let it get in your way.

Fear is really good at disguising itself. It takes shape as insecurity, doubt, comparing yourself to others, questioning yourself, etc. I don't know if there's a single person in the world who's actually fearless, so instead of setting out to defeat fear altogether, my goal is to simply acknowledge it when it presents itself--in whatever form it's chosen to take--and keep going anyway.

 

6.You can’t do everything by yourself. (And why would you even want to??) Ask for help.

This one is for every type-A overachiever out there. You know who you are... (Moi!) In 2018, I got my first taste of getting help from people who care about the brand as much as I do and I have to say, it was amazing. This year, I'm going to let the words "I could use some help" roll off my tongue easily and regularly. 

 

7.Stop saying yes to things you don’t want to do.

When I wrote resolution no. 7 the skies cracked open and the heavens began singing. So simple, so true, so much easier to say than do.

 

8. Strive to be the dumbest person in the room.

You know that saying, “Jack of all trades, master of none”? I'm done with that. My new catch phrase is going to bee, "I'm amazing at like two things, other people can do the rest.”

It's so freeing to know what you’re good at and what you’re not, and letting other people take over from there.” This year, I don’t just want to be **not the smartest person in the room.** I want the whole room to be smarter than me about the things I'm mediocre at and have no interest in mastering. 

 

9. Be humble and proud of yourself at the same time.

My ninth resolution is all about walking the fine line between being proud and remaining humble. I want to give myself more credit privately, but not let any single accomplishment take on a personality of its own.  ✨✨✨

 

10. 

Follow what calls you.

My final resolution is my life mantra: “Follow what calls you.” Following what called me is exactly what led me to Fortune & Frame.

Whatever it is you can’t stop thinking about, no matter how much it might disrupt your life and whether or not you know how to go about it—do it anyway.

 For more New Year's Inspiration, check out:

• Manifestation Quotes