New Year, New Mindset

Wow. I can’t believe 2020 is finally over.

As we enter into another New Year, everyone starts to set new goals for themselves. Sometimes we keep the same goals as the year before or begin a new set of goals. I know for me, my goals have pretty much stayed the same for a few years in a row. They always consist of working out more often, eating healthier, or managing my time better. While these goals are always good ones to strive for, they never challenged me to put my focus on the most important things in my life. This year, I wanted to change that.

First, I want to take a moment to reflect on 2020. I know what you’re thinking...you never want to hear about 2020 again, and I don’t blame you. Although 2020 took us all on a rollercoaster, I learned a lot of valuable lessons during this year and I would like to share one of those lessons with you. During quarantine this past year, as I was stuck at home with none of my friends, I had to learn how to be extra thankful for the little things in life. The things that normally pass you by during your daily routine or the things you don’t recognize in the moment because you are too focused on what’s next. If 2020 taught me anything, it would be to recognize and cherish the small, joyous moments with the people that I love.

Going into my fall semester, I knew that living in the sorority house was going to look different and honestly, I was a little nervous about it. As I went through the semester, I took the lesson that I learned during quarantine into my everyday life at the house. Because of that, I found myself developing a deeper love for ADPi and the sisters that surrounded me. The pandemic may have changed the rules in house, but it definitely did not change the love that filled the ADPi house. There may not have been as many social events throughout the semester, but I danced more in my room with my friends than I ever did at any social event. During a year that was full of unknowns, I found myself being more thankful for the sisters I knew would have my back no matter what.

Now, I know you’re all wondering what any of that has to do with New Year’s resolutions. Well, like I said, I am taking a new approach with my New Year’s resolution this year. As my relationships have grown with women in our chapter this year, I realized I am able to learn so much from the people around me through the small moments we shared. So, this year I want to be more like Lily in the way that she opens her heart to everyone around her. I want to have more of Vic’s confidence and be fierce in my approach to hard situations. I want to have more of Allison’s motivation and Sydney’s sincerity. I want to be more faithful like Cydney and spread kindness to everyone around me. I want to take on new challenges and be more bold like Olivia. Most of all, I want to be more thankful for the small lessons that my sisters have taught me when they didn’t even know it.