A Year Older, A Year Wiser (I'm 24 years old!)

As the old year came to an end, my birthday came with the ringing of the pans, the cheering of the people, the greetings of the neighborhood, the tooting of the horns, and the bursting of the fireworks after the countdown ended to welcome the new year - 2018.

January 1, this is the day that I was brought out into the world. 24 years of life and I am still here. I thank God every day for His many blessings, His never-ending love for me, and for just giving me the chance to exist in this world.

2017 has been a roller coaster ride and I have no doubt that 2018 will also be another heck of a journey. I hope this time around, it will be better than the last. 2017 was a year of experience and realizations. It wasn't the most difficult, not the most memorable, not the most amazing, but it is also not the worst. 2017 was fun and just in between. I had great times last year and I realized that the things that happened needed to happen to bring me to where I am today.

Ahhh, 2018. It feels nice to come out alive from 2017's hands, but at the same time scary to think about the endless possibilities of what this year has in store for me.

Looking back, I have always envisioned what my year will look like and I make plans on what to do and where to go. This just got me into expecting things to happen the way I planned them but when my expectations weren't met, I go down the disappointment lane. This year, I wouldn't make plans, I would just go with the flow and wing it. I will still have goals, though, but this time, these goals will be do-able and possible. :D

Here are my simple 2018 goals:

• Learn and grow on Steemit
  I have just been introduced to steemit last month. Although I made my account in November 2017, I didn't use it until December and I am thankful @kneelyrac guided and taught me the basics of how this community works. This year, I will learn more about Steemit, I will make more quality post to share with this wonderful community, and hopefully have growth.
• Get a Passport
  This goal has been in my list of goals last year. But due to certain circumstances, I wasn't able to apply for one so my boyfriend and I decided to get it this year. One perk in getting/renewing a passport this year is the 10-year validity so it's still a win-win, hehe. I just hope I can schedule an appointment in the DFA website, the slots are usually always full. :3
• Live and eat healthier
  This means that I should lessen the junk that I intake which means no more junk food like soda and chips, and lessen eating out at fast food chains (goodbye fries). Yes to more greens, fruits, and veggies.
• Go back to boxing and jogging
  Last year, I was able to go to the boxing gym for 2 months at 3 times a week. Sweating out was the best feeling and my body felt lighter and stronger. When the Marawi Siege happened and the martial law was implemented, I stopped and I haven't been back since. I need to return and have this aspect back in my life. So I'm making it a point this year to finally get back to boxing.
• Practice being mindful and take more care of my mental health
  I thought my mood swings and temperament changes were normal but as time went on, I developed anxiety, get panic attacks and get depressed easily when overthinking. I want to take care of my mental health more this year so I don't spiral down into another depression attack. I've written for a mindfulness website last year and I learned a couple of helpful things from that job. I am deciding to embrace that way of living and start practicing mindfulness this year whenever I can.
• Buy only the things I need and start saving up
  I admit, when I first got a job and started earning money for myself, I went ballistic on buying stuff I have always wanted and console myself with the "treat yourself" words when I feel guilty after the impulse-buying session. After 2 years of working, I still don't have money saved. So this year, I am putting a stop to mindless spending and extravagance, and start putting an effort in actually saving up. I plan to just buy the things I really need and not go crazy when there are sale and stuff.

I hope and pray 2018 will bring us all good fortunes, exciting challenges, and more memories to look back to when we're old. Life is tough, but so are we. Let's make the most of our lives and continue to strive up for the better!

Happy New Year, Steemians!

❤️ Renee Alexis ❤️