VALDOSTA — The new year is here and while some people are focused on their resolutions and traditions, others have their own way to welcome 2018. 

Sarah Carter, customer service representative for South Georgia Regional Library, said she doesn’t create New Year’s resolutions because she finds it difficult to follow through with them.

“I can never stick to them, but one of my goals is to be a little more aware of my mental health and taking care of that ’cause that really does affect your physical body,” she said.

Lawanda Brown, a library patron, said she believes in goals rather than resolutions because she has a complicated time keeping them.

“I consider (them) goals because they’re achievable,” she said. “My first would be religion, my second would be my finances and my third would be my family.”

She said she wants to volunteer and help others while also assisting her two sons in meeting their goals.

She said she hopes to begin stepping into the role of entrepreneur as she sets in place plans to open an adult daycare center in 2019.

Opposed to others in the community, Natasha Fast, Birdie’s Market and Catering manager, said she believes in resolutions and has created one that focuses on herself more than others.

“Definitely to respect myself more and make sure that I am stepping away and putting more energy into being healthy and drinking enough water and getting back on the bicycle, do yoga, but then definitely more wine, more cheese,” she said.

Fast said she is looking forward to reflecting on how she could be better for both herself and Birdie’s customers and employees.

SGRL librarian assistant Brittany Griner said she strives to make progress with planning her upcoming wedding set to take place late 2019. She said as long as she makes realistic resolutions, she’ll be able to keep them.

Graduating from Valdosta State University with her bachelor’s in English in May, Griner said she’s looking forward to starting graduate school to pursue a master’s in library sciences.

While Carter doesn’t participate in any of the superstitions, Griner said her family strongly believes in making the traditional holiday meal.

“My family always cooks a big meal, black-eyed peas, greens,” she said. “They say it brings good fortune and money the next year if you eat those … even though I don’t really like greens, I will eat a few.”

Brown not only prays at midnight, but she also trusts the superstition that comes with making collard greens.

“The tradition is to make collard greens for the new year, also to make black-eyed peas,” she said. “It’s a tradition which means good fortune with finances.”

Not only does Fast’s family cook collards and black-eyed peas, but they also make ham and the Filipino dish lumpia, which is a beef and pork egg roll.

She said she doesn’t celebrate New Year’s Eve too much as she looks forward to a night of relaxation at home with wine.

Carter said she too does not really celebrate New Year’s Eve and does not attend any of the parties.

“When I was 12, I stayed up until midnight and was like “yay,” and now I’m just like sleep,” she said. 

Amanda Usher is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1274.