For the year 2016, it seems only fitting that I identify 16 areas in which I could do better.

These aren’t necessarily things I’m bad at, just some things that could use a little extra attention.

1. Send handwritten notes — Mostly because of my job, I get handwritten notes semi-frequently. I love them, and I love the way they make me feel. It would be nice to spread that.

2. Be a student of the world — I’m almost done with my master’s degree, but if there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that one never truly finishes the school of life.

3. Produce less waste — I’ve got a million of those bags you’re supposed to use instead of plastic bags at the grocery store, now it’s time to put them into play.

4. Rely less on technology — This one is simple. Put the phone down. Speak more. Listen more. To people who can see me speaking and listening. This is important.

5. Keep my inbox and desk clear.

6. Spend more time outdoors — The great outdoors is like a reboot for my internal computer. I like kayaking and hiking and taking in nature.

7. Make instead of buy — This year was the year I started making my own laundry detergent. It’s fun, easy, and I know exactly what’s going on my clothes. Who knows what’s next?

8. Donate spare change — Does anyone really like change? I don’t. It would make me feel a lot better to know someone needier than I could make use of that of it I could spare.

9. Do one extra nice thing each day — It’s good to do nice things every day, but think about how much it could mean to someone if you took the conscious effort to really do something small that could totally change their day.

10. Speak less, do more — I love making plans. I suffer when it comes to implementations. In 2016, I want to do more.

11. Spend less, do more — When it comes to doing more, I often fall victim to thinking this equates to spending more. That doesn’t necessarily have to be so. This year is going to be the year of doing more with less.

12. Quit letting food expire — I’ve been slowly but surely working on this. In the busy world we live in, it’s so easy to go through a drive-thru while four packs of Greek yogurt tick closer and closer to their death date.

13. Practice more meditation — I know, it sounds weird, but a few silent moments of introspection can really help, especially when trying to sleep.

14. Volunteer more time — I’m young and just starting out, and of course money is tight for most, but there is something I’ve got a little bit of and that’s time.

15. Use less butter — This is a small concession, given how many grilled cheeses I eat, but I think it’s a small step in the right direction.

16. Get my oil changed closer to correct time — I like to think I have it all together, but by the time I get around to getting my oil changed, it’s usually run over by at least a few hundred extra miles.

Perhaps my New Year’s resolution should have been to be more decisive. Nonetheless, it would appear there’s plenty of work that needs to be done in 2016, beginning with me.

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Austin Vining is a staff reporter at The Vicksburg Post. You may reach him at austin.vining@vicksburgpost.com.