Things to strive for:

Calling it a "New Year's Resolution" always felt to me like bad luck for some reason, so I won't call them that- these are just things I need to do that happen to be said out loud at the beginning of a year. I'm writing these in the form of addressing myself frankly.

• Drink only for taste. For example, have a beer with a meal or a glass of wine to enjoy it. Do not drink in excess or allow yourself to lose your judgment. People get stupid and disgusting when they are drunk. You're not being cool when you talk about yourself at a breakneck speed to anyone who will listen.

• Quit smoking cigarettes altogether. You've never resolved to do this completely, and you still smoke if you feel like it and even buy cigarettes on occasion. Stop. You're going to get cancer if you don't. Plus, your lungs feel horrible and your breath smells bad when you smoke. If you want to dance ballet like you keep talking about, the smoking is going to make you lose your breath too quickly. Also, you always clear your throat all the time during a move. That has to be really annoying to everyone around you. It's going to be hard while taking Adderall again for the school year, but you're going to do it because this is called "growing up."

• Do not eat because you are bored. Sure, you look good now, but if you keep the habit up, then not only will looks catch up with you in age, but health will as well. Stop eating for no reason. Eat when you're hungry, stop when you're satisfied.

• Keep your environment clean. You want to be a mother and wife one day, but I'm sure your child will be in no way of happy health if you leave small objects and trash all around that he or she can choke on. I'm sure your husband, too, will grow tired of the mess caused by his wife. Let's not forget yourself. Your sloppiness disgusts you and you know it. It stresses you out and puts you out of spirits. You know how pleased you feel when everything is neat? Well, I know you're a perfectionist, so do not allow yourself to be inhibited by the question of "what if it isn't going to be perfect when I finish?" because do you know what? It doesn't matter. Also, anything better than what you're settling for now is acceptable. If you manage to get it "perfect," then fantastic- you can add another tally mark on your side.

• Keep reading. It has improved not only your writing style, but your character. When you allow yourself to learn lessons the easy way through Jane Austen characters, then you're already starting to win this battle you've been waging for a wise and calm life.

• Keep watching movies. You've only started really paying attention and understanding them in 2007, and don't stop. You'll only get more out of them as time goes on and you hone your skills. They make you exhilarated. Don't lose another hold on happiness to apathy.

• Continue to be sweet, polite, and respectful to your parents. They deserve it. Being any way otherwise only makes you ugly.

• Take a little bit of time out of every day to practice piano and violin. You'll be glad you did. You notice how you've been playing each for years and years but you only sound like a beginner? Remember the thing about being a perfectionist- you aren't going to get to that desired level without a lot of practice. It would make you so happy and fulfilled to be able to play both of those instruments well enough to play in front of someone else, so do not stop. It will bring joy to your heart to accomplish something.

• Always finish all of your work in your upcoming classes. You know you are intelligent, let your grades reflect that. Do not make excuses anymore.

• Keep in contact with your female friends and strengthen the relationships. The only male friend you should hang out with and talk on the phone to is your boyfriend. He deserves the ability to trust you completely. Keep healthy distances between yourself and your male friends. No matter how wonderful they may be, you know that people have no difficulty in finding temptation whether they are looking for it or not. Love your female friends and continue to care for them. Real friendships with them are too valuable to throw away. They will be there for you. Remember, though, that you need to "be there" for yourself when nobody else can. Remember to keep loving yourself.

• Respect yourself. You don't deserve to receive such low offers of sex from strangers. Learn how to slap people when they touch you or tell them off when they make comments in a way that asserts your self-respect. Be assertive when you know you are right. Do not be weak in the face of someone attempting to devalue you.

• Have great integrity. You are important in your life. This is one of the most obvious things people forget.

• Have good manners. You should behave like the pretty sort of person you know yourself to be capable of being. Everyone around you deserves some amount of civility, even if they've done you wrong in the past. You know when it is wise to make exceptions to this rule. You understand when to slap someone for touching you or when to run away and scream for help. We will leave this out as a no-brainer.

• Continue to improve your character. This will be a life-long work in progress. It is up to you. It will take a lot of hard work, but don't let that scare you away. It is very much worth it.

• Practice spontaneous kindness (with discretion- ie, don't pick up hitchhikers when you're driving alone at night, etc- be wise, protect yourself). I shouldn't have to explain this one. It's a gift that gives back.

• Continue to create things. It is worth the effort and having a result makes you gleeful. I know you've noticed yourself like that before. You cannot pretend like you don't love to be that way.

• Continue to have good hygiene and take care of your body. Take your medicine on time, eat well, drink plenty of tea and water. Wash your hands frequently. You are a pilot and this body is your machine. Keep it in good shape or you will break down before you can achieve the things you want. If you need inspiration for taking care of yourself past yourself, think of your future children; think of how unpleasant it would be for your boyfriend to kiss you with your teeth un-brushed. Take care of your body- it has gotten you this far and endured some hard things. It deserves it.
  

And thus ends my list. Perhaps I might inspire someone else to take something from it. It helps to speak to yourself as a third person. One is less apt to lie that way, or at least I was. Also, it keeps one from feeling disgustingly selfish for writing a list full of "I"s.