As the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, the world collectively holds its breath, releasing it in a cheer that ushers in a brand-new year. With it comes a sense of renewal, hope, and resolve—a chance to start fresh, to set goals, and to aspire to something greater. Traditionally, New Year’s resolutions center around personal improvement: exercise more, eat healthier, save money, learn a new skill. These goals are noble and important, but this year, let us ask ourselves a profound question:
What if our resolutions were not just about improving our own lives, but about making the world better for someone else?
The Power of Service
Service is a force that transcends individual ambition. It connects us to a purpose larger than ourselves and reminds us that we are part of a shared human experience. When you commit to serving others, you’re not just helping someone else—you’re fostering empathy, building relationships, and creating ripples of change that can extend far beyond what you might imagine.
Think about it: what if your resolution this year was to plant 50 trees in your neighborhood? What if it was to mentor a young person struggling to find their path? What if it was to reduce waste in your community by organizing a recycling drive?
These acts of service may seem small at first, but they have the potential to transform not only the lives of those you serve but also your own. Service nurtures sustainability—not just in the environmental sense, but in the way it anchors your commitment to something enduring and meaningful.
Sustainable Resolutions
The problem with many New Year’s resolutions is that they fizzle out before February. Why? Because they often focus narrowly on self-discipline rather than selflessness. When your goal is deeply tied to serving others, however, your motivation becomes far more resilient.
Take, for instance, a resolution to reduce your carbon footprint. If this is framed purely as a personal goal—say, to save on your energy bills—you might be tempted to abandon it the first time it’s inconvenient. But if your resolution is to lead your family, friends, or community in adopting greener practices, you now have accountability, purpose, and a community of supporters rooting for your success.
Service-centered resolutions naturally embed accountability. You’re no longer working solely for yourself but for others who benefit from your actions. This external motivation ensures that your resolve carries through the inevitable challenges and distractions of the year.
Entering 2025 with a Vision for Others
At Preserve Our Roots, we envision 2025 as a year of growth, collaboration, and impact. Our goals are ambitious:
- Growing our social media activity to educate and engage a wider audience.
- Establishing an Artivism Competition to connect schools and clubs across Nigeria, inspiring creativity for climate advocacy.
- Expanding our workshops and camps to larger audiences, empowering youth to take action.
- Revamping our website to provide a more dynamic platform for education and storytelling.
These goals are not just about our organization; they are about serving communities, sparking change, and empowering the next generation of leaders. And we invite you to join us—not just as a supporter, but as a changemaker with your own resolution to serve.
A Personal Call to Action
So, as you reflect on the year ahead, ask yourself:
- Who can I serve this year?
- What skills, time, or resources can I contribute to make someone else’s life better?
- How can my personal goals align with the greater good?
Perhaps your resolution is to volunteer at a local school, teach a free workshop, or even support a friend in achieving their goals. Maybe it’s to join us at Preserve Our Roots in hosting workshops, organizing community events, or advocating for climate justice. Whatever it is, make it about more than just you.
When we shift our focus from self-improvement to community improvement, something incredible happens. The world begins to feel a little less fragmented, a little more hopeful. And in the process, we grow as individuals—stronger, kinder, and more connected to the humanity we share.
Resolutions That Last
This year, let your resolution be more than a fleeting thought. Let it be a commitment—a promise to serve, to empower, and to build. Together, we can enter 2025 not just as individuals striving for personal success, but as a united force working toward a better, more sustainable world.
Because in the end, the most meaningful resolutions are those that extend beyond ourselves. And in serving others, we find not only purpose but also the strength to carry our vision forward for the long run.
What will your resolution be?
Let’s make 2025 the year of service, sustainability, and shared success. 🌍