The last few years have been troublesome for many. COVID plagued our society and the amount of people we lost due to it is substantial. However, with this new year upon us, there are great things that can shine through our dreary past and rise to great heights.

As there is with every year, there is a large amount of potential building up in 2022. The first step of making an amazing year is creating fantastic resolutions. Setting these and sticking to them is vital for a successful year, and the people of Oakville have been doing an amazing job thus far.

First and foremost, what kind of New Year’s resolutions are people setting for themselves? It can be anything ranging from getting more sleep, to performing better academically. It can literally be anything, as long as you are bettering yourself.

“My New Year’s resolution is to get more sleep because I am averaging about five hours of sleep at night, and I need to get at least seven,” Michael Agnew (12) said.

With figuring out what you’re going to do for your New Year’s resolution, you also have to think of ways to tackle them. Trying to get in shape? You can start a fitness routine at your local gym. Trying to do better in school? Develop a routine or a schedule that you can easily stick to.

“[My resolutions are] going out to eat less to save money, trying to work at least 20 hours a week and overall just trying to be good with money,” Andrew Morlen (12) said.

You don’t have to limit yourself to only a New Year’s resolution either. There are thousands upon thousands of small things you can do to improve. You could always do things such as sitting up straight, drinking more water and so on.

“I need to fill my tank up once it’s one fourth of the way gone,” Jake Walker (12) said.

Motivation is another key component to get you through the year. Finding something that can continually drive you forward is a must have. Why are you getting in shape now all of a sudden? Why do you need to become better? The answer to questions like these is what drives you.

“My friends, my girlfriend, and my job, too,” Morlen said, “it’s all pretty motivating.”

Completing your resolutions can be challenging depending on what it is. You might need a word of advice when it comes to seeing it through, or maybe even a helping hand at one point or another.

“Lots of people make resolutions and never stick with them,” Agnew said. “Make sure that yours is a new way of life and not just something to do for a month and then quit.”

Persevering through the toughest of tasks is pivotal to completion, and with a little bit of effort and a dash of hope, you can excel throughout the year. At the end of the day, it’s not what you accomplish. It’s about how you tried to accomplish it, and what you did to go about doing so.

“Just look at it with a positive mindset,” Anthony Simokaitis (12) said. “Go into each day expecting nothing and then you will be surprised with whatever you get.”