Be Vocal, Be Proud, Be Strong | 2018 New Year Resolutions



I wanted to give some time to this before I posted it. I LOVE a good old new year resolutions post, but this year I wanted to give it a bit of thought before I leapt into the whole 'new year new me' thing which, let's face it, we all do. But 2017 was the year I learnt more than any, how your annual goals should be based on more than a gym membership and a fridge of greens. And for that reason, I really wanted to go into 2018 with resolutions which would make me feel warmer, stronger and a better person, rather than ones which would make me look great in a bikini.

#1 Speak Up
I'm going to speak up. I am one of those people who avoids confrontation like the plague. But not being a member of the LGBT+ community does not mean I should stand back and watch anyone be targeted silently. Being white doesn't mean I can't vocalise my disgust at racism. Luckily, over the last few years I've had fewer and fewer occasions where I haven't spoken up for what's right. But 'fewer' isn't good enough. From bitching about one of my friends, to somebody making a racist, sexist or homophobic comment, I won't be silent any more. And I hope I will never be silent again.

#2 Be Proud
2018 was a shitty year for many reasons, but the light in the darkness of all the sexual harassment and assault charges, was finally bringing the reality of being a woman to the eyes of the masses. Let's face it, 80% of people KNOW what women face daily, from those working in manual labour, to current film stars. But, in western culture, it is not being ignored. Last year, I wrote my dissertation on Women as Targets of ISIS Radicalisation, and whilst I feel like I've always been a feminist, it's a word I've sort of whispered in the background. There are family members who outright laugh at me when I get too defensive, or start to try and provoke a reaction out of me by saying something vulgar. And, to be quite honest, I'm done with this shit. I'm done with getting embarrassed when I get impassioned by standing up for what I believe in. I'm never going to go around burning my bra (for one, my breasts only have a few years of perkiness ahead of them and I don't want to speed up that process), but standing my ground and being proud of who I am and what I believe in, is a huge part of my 2018.

#3 Be Strong
Strength is subjective. But I believe the two resolutions above fall under the 'strength' category intrinsically. I'd love to continue that into every other aspect of my life. Strong beliefs, strong character and strong in person. Nurturing my body as well as my mind. Being strong doesn't necessarily mean constantly resilient, it is also about being open to new ideas, and listening to other people's contrasting opinions. That's something I learnt last year and want to continue into the new year. Strength can be found in the gym, and in our minds, and that's my overall theme of 2018. I want it to be the year of solidarity and strength.


What are your New Year Resolutions?

Love, Alice x

3 comments

  1. I love this so much! Such a lovely take on new year's resolutions x

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  2. Love this SO much! Great job Alice, these are perfect :)
    x Kenzie // Kenzieblogslife.wordpress.com

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  3. I love these resolutions! Being strong and speaking up is so important :) x
    chloewritessometimes.wordpress.com

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