2019.

The idea of “New Year, New Me” is living in the minds of many as the calendar shifts to a new year:

2019.

I am in this mindset, but I don’t need a “new” me.

I need a “better” me.

I don’t want to change who I am.

I want to be better at who I am.

This year, in 2019, I want to better myself in many areas:

• Trust. I want to trust myself and my feelings. I don’t want to second guess or roll with the crowd. If I believe so, I want to trust that belief and ride it out. I also want to continue to trust others better. I want to trust that people care about me and trust that they will be there for me when I need it.
• Honesty. I need to be honest with myself about things and I need to be honest with others. I need to realize the truth when it is in front of me and accept it. I want to be able to tell others the truth so that I know and everyone else knows what’s going on in my life and the world around us.
• Physical Health. I want to start doing some light workouts, starting to get myself out of this physical rut I am in. I am tired, sore, and weak a lot. My body is taking a toll and I need to take better care of it. I don’t expect to rip out heavy workouts, but some cardio, pickup basketball, or light weights will carry what I want to get out of it. As far as food goes, I don’t eat terribly, but I eat a lot. I want to cut down a bit on my intake and remind myself that just because I am bored doesn’t mean it’s time to eat.
• Mental Health. As many know, I have struggled with depression and anxiety over the past year or so. I don’t expect to ditch those feelings immediately, but I need to be more conscious of the tolls it takes on me and when I need to get things right. I need to reach out more in those down times and surround myself with resources to get me out of whatever mental rut I am in. In the good times mentally, I also want to appreciate them and keep tabs of why I am doing well so that I can turn to those things more often.
• Reflection. I got a journal for Christmas (khaki colored, which is one of my favorite colors!!! it’s seriously so awesome and I can’t wait to use it) and I want to write down reminders each day of the year. I don’t always need to blog or dig deep in my reflection time. I’ve learned that most days it is most helpful for me to write down a few things that happened during the day and why they were good/bad. These offer gentle reminders of how I want to think, act, and what I want to be involved in going forward in order to better myself in every area.
• People. I am really good at avoiding people and being alone, but I need to stop doing it so much. I always say I like being alone, and I do sometimes, but I can’t do it for so long. Being alone stinks sometimes, especially in down times. I want to seek out the people I trust and love the most and be with them often, especially when I need help. Being with people is a tool for encouragement in my life and I want to be encouraged more often.
• Perhaps the most important of all: Breathe. You have to breathe in order to live and I need to do it more. The STAR method (Stop, Think, Anticipate, and Respond to situations) that I learned as a kid in the First Tee program has helped me through a lot, but it all starts with taking a breath before you analyze. Breathing is relaxing and I need to relax every chance I get. Life is tough and seems to never stop, but when it does, I am going to take a breath.

 

2019 won’t be a year of “reconstruction”.

2019 won’t be a year of “renewal”.

2019 will be a year of better.

 

I want to be the best Nelson Searcy I can be.

Hopefully the things I listed above will help me be better and better each day.

 

I hope we all have a 2019 that is filled with better.

Happy New Year everyone!