11 Resolutions/Goals to Help You Be More Patriotic in 2020
“New year…..New Me!” That’s usually the refrain around this time of year when everyone gets in a reflective mood. Although some have lost all belief in the system of resolution-making, others start with all best intentions, and others prefer to call it something else in hopes of it being more achievable.
Whatever your choice, we’ve listed some resolutions/goals to help in your quest to be a better citizen of Trinidad and Tobago…..and the world.
Patriotism (n) – devoted love, support, and defense of one’s country; national loyalty.
Here are our 11 resolutions/goals to help you be more patriotic in 2020:
1. Have a staycation at a local bed & breakfast.
What better way to support your country than to support an industry that creates a domino effect on several other sectors? Having a staycation supports our local tourism industry and pours money back into the economy of Trinidad and Tobago. To be specific this happens when you stay at local, independent hotels or bed and breakfasts that support local businesses such as farmers and other producers as well as employ people within the community. We suggest villages like Grande Riviere, Mayaro, Buccoo and Castara, to name a few. Take advantage of our 5 (excluding Carnival), or 7 (including holidays that fall on a Thursday and can be extended ?) long weekends in 2020 and be a tourist in our islands.
2. Visit 10 new places in T&T
Maybe you’d prefer your resolutions to be continuous throughout the year. How about switching from the Avenue every weekend to rock climbing in Chaguaramas or a road trip to Guayaguayaree. With several companies, including us, offering local tours, you’d be surprised how easily you can get to 10 new places for your wish list for T&T this year. Off-the-beaten-path, Instagram-worthy, picturesque places are waiting for you to explore and enjoy! Remember that #ILiveWhereYouVacation hashtag?…..let’s revive it!
3. STOP littering
Whether it’s while driving down the highway or visiting one of those 10 new places on your list be sure to take your garbage with you!!!! We all have seen the devastating results of flooding and things are only getting worse with global warming. How can we say we love our country if we don’t keep it clean? So in 2020, take your garbage with you…..and STOP LITTERING!!!! (and yes we’re shouting damn it).
4. Volunteer at least once this year
We all witnessed how the helpfulness of citizens aided in rescuing flood victims in 2018. Can we have a little of that community spirit and brotherhood year-round? Of course, we can!
You can give of your resources (time, clothes, food, blood, etc) to a worthy cause, a situation or the less fortunate. There are so many organisations throughout Trinidad and Tobago with varying causes. Find a cause you’re interested in and support a legitimate organisation! From painting houses with Habitat for Humanity, beach clean-ups, visiting old age homes or orphanages, tagging turtles during turtle season or even volunteering for events hosted by our nation…..there must be something you’d find internally rewarding. Give of yourself for the betterment of others and our country in 2020.
5. Say no to plastics and styrofoam
Sustainable practises can truly decrease our landfills and help reduce the amount of waste we create as a nation. Stopping (or reducing) the use of plastic straws and styrofoam containers is a good start! Tell your servers to hold the straws while you carry a metal or bamboo straw, carry your own cup to a fete and even bowls to take out places. Let’s demand that companies do their part by showing a change in our own consumption behaviour on the road to being more eco-friendly.
6. Intentionally choose local products
Speaking of our consumption behaviour, intentionally choosing local products is a definite way to show your allegiance to the red, white and black. Think about how the money made on products of T&T are used back in our country instead of having to be transferred to an account in foreign lands.
There are local companies and entrepreneurs upholding international standards of manufacturing that are overlooked because of name, routine or convenience. You can consciously decide to purchase Blue Waters instead of Dasani….it’s that simple! Local soaps, jams, fruits and vegetables….we’re not even getting into fashion and jewellery yet! We’re talking everyday products that have no cost point difference and are just as accessible, even via social media and monthly local markets. #SupportLocal really, consciously, intentionally support local.
7. Listen to more local music
Before you jump in with the #WeAreSocaDefenders comments, we are not talking only Soca and we’re not only talking ’til Ash Wednesday. We want our artists to feel motivated to release music year-round (big up gyal like Nailah!) And we want artists from other genres to get forwards too!
There are so many local artists and bands making good, good music! Freetown Collective, Jimmy October, Keoné and Orange Sky are just a few…and they are relatively popular. In case you are wondering where to look, local vlogger, D’Andre Wilson recently did a video on some underground music from Trinidad and Tobago that isn’t soca…have a listen. These artists are available on all major music streaming platforms. So can we stop the switch to Jamaican and American popular music come Ash Wed!?!?! Thanks!
8. Read more local authors
Is “Read more books in 2020” one of your resolutions? Well, how about intentionally adding a couple of local authors to your list. Just like the availability of music artists, the range of our authors is just as vast. From motivational writers to frictional and scientific, add any of these authors from this list or this one to your reading list. Our local library, NALIS, is also a great source for our authors. Btw….have you ever even visited NALIS? (see? that can help with #2.
9. Do the right thing!
Obey the laws even when no one is watching….that speaks to your character. And we’re not just talking laws that -are supposed to- can be enforced by police officers, but we are talking about those cultural norms and mores that get us nowhere as a country. Yes, the “is Trinidad” ones. Maybe the list of things that our President mentioned in her inaugural speech is a good place to start. Getting to work on time and doing the job you’re paid to do. Oh, how will we see our watchwords come to life.
10. Speak positively about T&T
You know how when you tell a child they are stupid….they start believing and acting accordingly? Well, we honestly believe the same can happen to a country. Every time we say things like “Trinidad is the worst” or “Trinidad is not a real place” our people listen and seemingly try to prove this to be true. We are truly a unique nation but we can define what that uniqueness expands to….let’s focus on the positive things and not the negative.
Let’s stop airing our grievances on social media about our country. Share the beauty of T&T…it’s places, it’s people, our culture…and maybe we’ll remember how great we are as a nation….and act accordingly. Feel free to use our hashtag #PatritoicTT to highlight things that are good in T&T.
11. Experience and support our culture
Our multiculturalism is one sure, positive thing we seem to agree on and can boast about. It has made us who we are…the melting pot….the callaloo! Let’s get back to celebrating who we are (beyond Carnival) and more importantly celebrating TOGETHER!!!
With 16 holidays and a festival every month, you can sure add a new cultural experience to your list in 2020. Let’s attend and be part of more cultural traditions, events and celebrations. Let’s work to uphold “Here every creed and race find an equal place…..and may God bless our nation!” in 2020!
Patriotic T&T can help you with this goal, as we contribute to local tourism by attending and creating cultural events in 2020. Look out for our upcoming events. Also get our free downloadable 2020 Calendar with all T&T’s holidays and festivals being released in the first week of the new year, to help you plan for this resolution.
One or all of these simple acts can make a revolution at the end of 2020. Taking responsibility and changing our actions not only changes us as individuals but can influence others, causing a much-needed ripple effect. We challenge you to be more patriotic in 2020 and show your love for T&T.