2020 has truly been a year like no other. People all over the world have experienced unemployment, the deaths of loved ones, and tons of other hard things. Now that we’re all thinking about the new year, and what it may bring, we’re also setting goals and resolutions for ourselves. But do those resolutions look different because of the difficult year we’ve just lived through? I asked women across the FFL Network what their New Year’s Resolutions are for 2021 and how 2020 has shaped those goals. 

Miranda S., New York

Becoming more self-sustainable in a society that has truly regressed in this area due to our ability to over-consume and get what we want when we want. These goals are newly formed based on the past year. I want to focus on becoming more self-sustainable in agriculture, home-schooling, finances, health, education, self-defense. And I want to learn how to become less wasteful and practice abundant meditation daily and become closer to God through these hardships. I know it will be difficult to re-learn the things our ancestors once knew as basic skills and we have lost it through overly consuming and less producing. These goals seem more simple on paper but it is truly hard and we take these simple things for granted- in a society that has been indoctrinating us to rely on government services and big corporations to survive creating lazy and entitled civilians- I believe this goal is difficult to achieve but I know it will be worth it!

Chloe C., Pennsylvania

I have 2 new year’s resolutions for 2021. The first is to appreciate the little things more. This year has shown the importance of that and I realized how much I took some of the little things for granted (being able to go to the library to study, being able to hang out with a group of friends, being able to find tp and other things I need at the store and even going to class in person). I don’t want to wait until I’m missing things to appreciate them. This also applies to the little moments like getting to spend time with those you love. The best parts of this year and the ones that have kept me going are the moments I was able to share with those who mean the most to me. I also want to work on being easier on myself and taking better care of myself. I have been putting so much pressure on myself to be perfect and accomplish all of these things but I’ve realized this year that this isn’t what’s important in life and is only causing me anxiety and taking away from the moments that truly matter. 

Hannah L., Florida

My goals are surely going to be different. I’m graduating this semester, so I will be entering the work forcefully now. I have mainly simple goals: 1) Work as hard as I can with as little excuses as possible; 2) Grow my blog by interviewing more well-known conservatives and try to get someone to sponsor my blog, like getting advertising; 3) grow in my faith and with my family. We are also getting animals so not going insane with new responsibilities will be an interesting one!

Megan H., New York

My resolution for 2021 is to make my Sundays more enjoyable. In the past, I’ve set out to get in shape and cut out carbs, but haven’t been successful because I didn’t care enough and didn’t have a real plan. Now, I’m a big believer in SMART goals (in that they’re specific, measurable, and attainable) and am committed to following through. This year, I’m going to prioritize my happiness and make Sundays less stressful by saying yes to spontaneity, long walks, good food, and appreciating the presence of my friends and family.

Mickey M., New Jersey

My New Year’s resolution is to be a better Christian. I know this is really difficult and prayer goes a long way. I need to make a conscious effort to study the Bible, pray, live in the moment, trust in God, stop gossiping, help more people, and spread the Word. This goal will never fully be achieved, but as I work towards it, my other goals will fall into place. “I can do all thing through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13.

Lucy H., Pennsylvania

My 2021 resolution is to create a more regular personal schedule for myself. Whether I’m in quarantine or not, I realize that I need to establish an inner-clock to make sure I manage my time better. Especially since I will graduate this spring and I will be starting a new, more intense phase of my education after undergrad, I want to make sure that I automatically make time for daily exercise, reading, news intake, and prayer so that organization is the last of my worries, come medical school!

Whitney E., Alabama

My New Year’s resolution is to eat cleaner, but for a different reason. I used to want to lose weight and eat better to look better. Now; I want to eat better to improve my health and feel better. So many goals got crushed due to the pandemic that I’ve decided to focus on something small instead of setting a large goal for myself. 

So while some goals for 2021 have changed entirely due to COVID, other women have set the same goals for themselves, but for different reasons. What is your 2021 New Year’s Resolution? Is it different than your usual resolutions because of the year we’ve had?

Georgia G
CABINET

Georgia Gallagher graduated from the University of Alabama in the summer of 2019 where she majored in Journalism and Political Science. She is currently working as a Cast Member at  Walt Disney World in Florida. In her free time she can be found advocating for pro-life policies and working with single or low-income mothers. She often says that her planner is second only to her Bible and she’s never caught without a cup of coffee in her hand.