Tufts Blogs

This is where I dream big: I want to be more present, practice gratitude, and develop the kind of self-discipline that would make my future self proud. 

I also want to be the kind of person who has it all together. You know, the one who's always prepared, organized, and somehow manages to juggle everything life throws in their way without breaking a sweat. But let’s be real, right now, my biggest achievement is getting out of bed before noon. But, baby steps, right?

Let’s start the a classic. First, the gym. I was doing so well, going 3x a week and becoming a regular. Until well the fall, but let’s just say midterms and assignments had some other plans. Suddenly, I was trying to survive the chaos of school, work, and everything else. But hey, I’m not giving up yet. This year, I'm bringing it back. I’ll start small - a few days a week. I want to find a way for it to fit into my schedule, not over-commit. Consistency is key, right?

Ah, journaling. I thought I was going to become the type of person who writes down their thoughts every single day, channeling my inner poet.   Barely did it last year. I tried but every time I said “I’ll just do it tomorrow.” Who was I kidding? I barely made a dent in the journal, and it is the cutest journal! I’m determined to fill it, even if it’s just a quick, “Hey, today was alright.” When I first started reflecting on what a whirlwind in Fall 2023 was, it helped me decompress and brain dump. Even if I manage to journal, once a week, I will be content with that. 

If you’re like me, most of the reading you do is for class. And let’s be honest - textbooks don’t really do it for me. But reading for fun? It’s been a while. I remember driving to Barnes and Noble to get so many books and being academically stress-free to have enough time to read for hours. This year, I'm determined to read one book per month. Maybe a self-help book or two, and who know, maybe explore new genres? Last year, I read the Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz & it truly changed my perspective on such basic insights to follow in life. It helped me grow and I want to be able to make more time for it - instead of scrolling on my phone. My screen time is way too high for no valid reason. 

Mental health is something that I’ve learned to prioritize over the years as a clinical psychology major. But let’s be real, some days are harder than others. This year, I’m focusing on balance. I’ll take breaks when I need them, learn to say no, and remember my worth isn’t tied to my productivity. I’m trying to be more mindful of burnout and giving myself grace when I can’t be perfect. 

Taking mental health days to set boundaries or indulge in a guilty pleasure show after a long day, I want to focus on recharging and making myself happy. 

I’m also committing to having more fun in 2025. I want to say yes to more spontaneous plans whether it be going to a new thrift shop, or new cafe, attending more campus events, and making memories. 

With my many “Ins” comes my many “Outs”. Here’s where I get real: Doomscrolling is a huge problem for me. I’ve spent countless hours scrolling through social media, reading things that do nothing but make me anxious or confused. When I see TikTok telling me to take a mental health break, I wonder where the time went after I consumed a whole bunch of nothing. My goal is to set app limits and stick to them. My friends and I tried it around finals season, setting passwords for each other. It was definitely hard, but worth it.

Instead, I’ll make time for hobbies. One hobby I’m determined to start this year is scrapbooking. I want to bring my shared album with my friends to life. I love photography, especially Polaroids and I’ve been thinking about a way to have a memory book so 10 years from now I can look at. It’ll be a good way to get creative and disconnect from the digital world for a bit’s 

So there it is my list of goals for 2025. But here’s the thing: 2025 feels different. Maybe my frontal lobe is developing and I’m turning 21. This year, it’s about realistic goals, small wins, and acknowledging that growth doesn’t have to be perfect. I’m taking the pressure off myself and focusing on balance. I may not have it all together by the end of the year (spoiler: I won’t), but that’s okay. It’s about the process - and the joy I’ll find along the way. And who knows? Maybe 2025 will be the year I stick to my resolution. Or at least try.