this is my year.

Happy New Year! I can't believe another year has come and gone. And what a year it's been. As I've been reflecting back, I'm amazed at all that has happened in a year. A year ago, I was at Snow College and had no idea what I was doing with my life. I had applied to BYU, but wasn't so sure I was going to get in. I'm not going to lie, this time of year last year was not pleasant for me. My life didn't really change until I found out that I had been accepted to BYU. I've never sobbed because I was so happy before, but I sure did that day. Once I made the move to BYU, 2015 became one of the best years of my life. I have met so many amazing people, had so many life-changing experiences, and become a better, happier person than I was before. I've done things like run a half marathon and hike to the summit of Mt. Timpangos. Things I never would have ever thought I would do. And that makes me even more excited for 2016. I have so many amazing things coming up. One of my best friends is getting married, some of my close friends are getting home from missions, I'm starting a new eating lifestyle, and I'm training for a marathon! But with a new year, comes new resolutions. So here are my 2016 New Years Resolutions...

1. Live a healthier lifestyle and lose weight along the way.
- Get a membership to the local yoga club and go every morning (except Sunday)
- Run every day and train for a marathon (except Sunday)
- Start eating clean (no more eating out)
- Drink a ton more water (at least 8 bottles a day)

2. Go to the temple once a week
- I'm used to living an hour and 30 minutes away from the temple and sometimes I forget that the temple is literally 2 minutes away from me now.

3. Say longer, more meaningful prayers
- I am really guilty of saying 2-3 minute prayers that are super repetitive. I want to actually have a conversation.

4. Have longer, more "feast-like" scripture study.
- Write things down, truly study & learn & ponder
- I'm going to start studying in the morning when my mind is more awake

5. Go to all 3 hours of church and keep the Sabbath Day holy.
- You know, I've never had a problem with going to all 3 hours of church until this last semester. For some reason, it became okay in my head to only go to sacrament and then leave. Yeah, that's not going to happen anymore.
- No more eating out on Sunday

6. Attend temple prep classes
- I've really been thinking about the temple lately and it has occurred to me that the next big thing I should be preparing for is my endowment. I don't know when I'm going to get it, it might be right before I'm married, but I really want to be prepared when I go so I'm going to start preparing now.

7. Work on social anxiety.
- Many of you don't know this about me, but I do have social anxiety. It is a newer thing and has become more apparent this last year and I'm trying to work on it. I have a hard time going to social events now, especially if I don't know many people there. I tend to shut my door and hide in my room, which is not like me at all. But I'm working on it and will continue to put more focus on improving this year.

8. No gossiping or judging.
- No more gossiping about people, no matter how juicy the gossip is. And same goes for judging people. Everyone has feelings and is going through their own thing, I should be supportive, not gossiping or judgmental.

9. Go to more social events and put myself out there.
-Meet new people, have more fun, be more social

10. Get a 4.0 this semester

11. Spend more time in the library
- Not socializing, studying. Spend my spare time in the library.

12. Stay on campus!!!
- This is a horrible habit I have developed. After every class, I would walk home. In order to meet people and get things done, I need to stay on campus. I am going to pack and lunch/snacks and stay on campus until my last class is done for the day. Otherwise I get nothing done.

I'm so excited for this new year and the new me. I keep telling myself "this is my year". And yes, I'm going to make this year my year to become the person that I want to be.

XOXO
Mikayla