Here comes a new year, full of opportunities and goals. Bursting with expectation and right on the heels of a busy holiday season spent with family and friends. Isn’t it funny how that works? One day seeps into a week, and a week seeps into a month, and suddenly here we are again in January, with a new year waiting optimistically ahead of us. And ready or not, it’s coming: a fresh slate for us to design however we resolve.
But here’s the thing about New Year resolutions. Maybe it’s just me, but I hate the thought of being bound to something. Even if it’s a goal that I’ve set myself, the possibility of failing at it stresses me out completely. In some cases, I would rather not even try to start something new or change an old habit if there’s a likelihood that my attempted transformation won’t stick. So maybe I’m just enabling my own mind game, but I think I’m more inspired to modify my routine if my “resolutions” aren’t quite so binding.
If you love the idea of New Year resolutions and bettering yourself with ambition and willpower, you should be commended and encouraged for your consistency. But if you’re like me, and you need a little motivation for your motivation… here’s a list of ways to start the new year right.
- Let your goals be well-rounded. Don’t just focus on all the clichés, like eating better or exercising more. Vow to add a new activity to your routine, like reading for thirty minutes each day, meditating, or trying a new hobby once every week.
- Make sure if you’re trying to change something that’s measurable – like losing weight or adding more vegetables to your diet – that you set small goals for yourself. The more practical your strategies are, the more likely that your desired outcomes will come to fruition!
- If you set objectives, tell someone. That way when the monotony of your new plans set in, you’ll have someone to encourage you to keep going.
- Use the buddy system. Instead of coming up with all of your own ideas again this year, set goals with a friend! Read the same books so you can discuss them later, take walks together, attend an art class, or go to a play.
The possibilities really are endless. But make sure you try something new this year, and don’t be too hard on yourself if you feel like giving up. This year can be whatever you want it to be, so you might as well use your time wisely – eat dessert first. But with a friend.