Year after year, a countless number of humans will repeat the same phrase everytime the clock strikes 12 midnight on the last day of the year: "NEW YEAR, NEW ME!" Some take it seriously, but mostly perhaps less so.

You see, the new year presents an opportunity for many people to set unrealistic goals and then end up feeling gutted that they are nowhere near all of that. You need not look far; just scroll through a few pages on this blog and you'll realise how many of my 2015 goals have I not fulfilled.

No worries. I'll be more realistic this time. And by that, I mean much, much more.

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1. Be fitter

Let's be honest: 2015 wasn't the 'fit' year it was supposed to be. I am still not even getting a Silver for my IPPT because of my statics, which suck so much. I can comfortably say I am a decent runner with 9:55 for 2.4km, but my statics are just abysmal. So let 2016 be a year where I can pump more, and work harder on the parts that matter. I want to look less sloppy and skinny. Some people said I look skinnier than before, and I agree. So yeah, time to bulk up a bit. It probably won't be much, since it's just the way I'm built, but I hope that the extra kg or two will help...

2. Be wiser

I often found myself at the receiving end of my sympathy for myself. I felt sorry for me because I did so many stupid things I ought not to have done.

Thus, this year, I'd rather spend time doing more productive things than be sad and mull over spilled milk. I know this sounds easy for a lot of people, but being naturally-reflective of my own actions, I tend to think a lot about what has happened and how I could have redone it with another method. Screw that in 2016. Yes, I'll probably still analyse, but there isn't time - the world doesn't stop spinning for yo sorry arse.

3. Be stronger

I want to be mentally stronger in 2016. A lot of times I found myself giving up, whether it be trying to pursue something or someone or simply going to the toilet to take a shit.

I remember that in BMT, despite having been offered a chance to do a re-field camp in order to enter command school, I rejected the offer because I was down and out; I felt like I did not have the mental capacity to do it again. Up till this day, I still strongly regret that decision.

So yeah, less of that in 2016. I probably won't say none of that, because sometimes it's bound to happen and you may not even realise it.

4. Be balanced

I want to achieve a New Balance (ahem subtle advertising).

Like I said in my previous post, and I'm sure I've told this to a few of my closer friends, 2016 will be a year where I establish a better balance between mind and heart. In 2015, just to recap again, I exhausted myself emotionally after putting myself too deep into situations that others would have just treated normally. I got damaged, and I felt so sad for myself, and made others feel sorry for me too.

Even further back, prior to 2015, I was a bit of a cold-blooded person - yes, I was good with my friends and I had loads of them coming to me when I had problems, but more often than not, I would offer solutions far too practical and did not really get to listen to what they had to say. I missed out, basically, on a lot of things because of that; friends who are more sensitive would not dare to talk to me.

So 2016 has perhaps arrived at just the right time, and now I feel bloody fresh and good.

I want to think with my mind AND my heart, and not just either one. I want to remain a practical friend, and yet still add that tinge of thoughtfulness whenever I do something for someone. I will still put in a lot of effort, but I will also be careful that I may not get what I want eventually. It's all about not disappointing yourself, and simultaneously, not disappointing others.

5. Get a girlfriend

I'm joking. I'm so done with this, honestly.

I found that a few people around me, and that includes myself, often got too desperate in 2015. We thought too much about what people of the opposite gender would do, and we misread too many things.

So I urge everyone to think less, because when the right person arrives at the right time, all things will work out. There's no need to be desperate; we're still friggin young. I mean, come on, I'm only 20 this year! Sure, many would be dating by now, but I have plenty of time still left. So I'm not worried at all. And you shouldn't be, either.

2016 is a year where I will enjoy life as a youth, because my days as a proper youth are numbered. I want to treasure it. If that right person comes along, of course it'll be great, but if she doesn't, then it's perfectly fine. I love my family and my friends, and that's all that matters. I want to hang out until midnight at the bar, talking under the sunset with my friends. I want to go jamming and karaoke all day. I want to not think about having to buy a car or a house. I want to have to worry about what cuisine my squad and I should have at Bugis Junction. Because once this year is over, I have honestly no idea how freely I'll be able to exercise my 'youth rights'.

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So, 2016, free me up.

Song of the day:
Rudimental ft. Ed Sheeran - Lay It All On Me
(No you don't have to keep it on a lock and key
Cos I will never let you down
And if you can't escape of your uncertainties
Baby I will show you how)