Makayla Grijalva

Like many others, as the clock struck midnight and 2021 came to an end, I was sound asleep.

Like the good little Cinderella I am, I was tucked in bed by about 11 p.m. only to be woken up shortly after the new year began by fireworks, gunshots and a distressed Chihuahua.

As I reflected on 2021 and the new year that lay ahead, I could only come to one conclusion — 2021 sucked and I want to make the next one better. I’m sure I’m not the only one with that thought.

Even though Jan. 1 was like any other normal Saturday, it’s as good a time as ever for a new start and clean slate. I know, here’s another useless story about listing resolutions for the new year, but it’s more about accountability on my part and less about the reader right now.

 

  1. Dedicate more time to friends and family

If you do good to others, good will come to you. I am lucky to have a super strong core group of friends, who I would move mountains for and they will do the same for me. In 2021, the pandemic made it difficult to dedicate as much time to them as I wanted to, plus life generally got into the way. May the new year bring more meaningful moments with those I care most about.

 

  1. Clean something once a week

I try to avoid concrete expectations, but this just seems like a good rule of thumb. The “something” I clean can be something physical — like a room, closet or even a single dish — or something more abstract — like a cleanse of the mind or spirit. It’s just a matter of listening to myself and acknowledging what I need in the moment.

 

  1. Find a way to stay active that is not utterly unenjoyable

Running might be a form of torture (I’m pretty sure runner’s high is a myth) and working out is really tough to be consistent with. I want to plan more ways to stay active that are more in line with what I enjoy doing, like hiking. I also recently got some climbing gear for Christmas (thank you, Mom) so that may also be in my future.

 

  1. Plan self-care days into the schedule

Towards the end of 2021 in an effort to be more comfortable being alone with myself, I began enjoying full days where it was all about me. I would do face masks, watch trashy reality TV shows, browse thrift shops, and go on walks and drives to enjoy the sunset. I hope to continue to do those because at the end of the day, you are the person you spend the most time with — let’s hope you like them.

 

  1. Find other ways to spend time that is not in front of a screen

Hi, my name is Makayla, and I am addicted to my phone. I use my phone and other screens — browsing social media for hours on end, writing articles, watching Netflix — for most of the day, everyday. The stack of unread books on my bedside table and unfinished needlepoint projects in the closet somehow always lose when it comes to my attention. I want that to change in the new year. Who knows? Maybe that will also help my migraines go away.

As we all drift into 2022, be well. Here’s to focusing on happiness.

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Makayla Grijalva

Makayla Grijalva was born and raised in Las Cruces. She is a 2020 graduate of The University of New Mexico, where she studied multimedia journalism, political science and history.