This cursed year is finally coming to a close and we are beginning to prepare, somewhat reluctantly, for 2017. Holiday greetings are behind us, and now we face "best tweets of 2016" posts and, of course, the annual onslaught of articles about New Year's Resolutions. Though few people actually follow through with our resolutions, setting goals for the upcoming year is a tradition for many of us.
Every year, I find myself scrolling past a plethora of pieces about losing weight for the new year (I'm looking at you, Buzzfeed). After gorging on holiday-themed dinners people are so eager to set goals for weight loss and fitness. However, there are other goals that we could be focusing on that could change our lives for the better as well. Here are ten New Year's Resolutions that aren't focused on losing weight.
1. Discover something new about yourself.
This is so important. We're never too old to find something out about ourselves. Discover your (previously unknown) love for the outdoors or cats. Whatever it is, spend some time this year trying to learn something about who you are.
2. Stop keeping score with friends and significant others.
We all do it. We keep tabs on everything our special person has been up to, whether he/she is an S.O. or a best friend, and at the end of the day we have a list of grievances. Try to drop the list and start forgiving faster.
3. Realize when it's time to stop trying.
Stop texting your girls screenshots of his nonchalant replies to your inquiries about "what you are." Quit asking your guys what they think of the girl who seemed really cool at first. This year, try and decide for yourself whether someone is worth your time and energy.
3. Set professional goals for yourself, and try to make them realities.
Maybe, like me, you're graduating this year. Try and create a series of professional or educational goals for yourself and meet your own standards. You could aim for a job, an internship, or acceptance to an amazing grad program.
4. Stop comparing yourself to others on Social Media.
Quit looking at the carefully posed, filtered highlights of other people's lives on Instagram and Facebook. It's too easy to become immersed in someone else's social media presence without realizing that people post the parts of their lives that they want you to see. This year, focus on your own self-growth and stop obsessing over that random Instagram model's #blessed, #authentic profile.
5. Meet new people.
If you're shy or used to spending all of your time with the same group, this year you can try to branch out and meet new people.
6. Find stress-management techniques that work for you.
Let's be honest, we could all use this resolution.
7. Do something productive with your free time ( spend time doing something other than Netflix).
Though we all love binge-watching entire season of our favorite Netflix shows, perhaps this year you could find a way to use some of your free time to better yourself.
8. Put more effort into the relationships that matter to you.
After a while we all begin to take our close friends and relatives for granted. They're just a text away, right? This year, rather than giving up your favorite treats, try making time for the special people in your life.
9. Start to take responsibility for your emotions.
Instead of immediately finding a culprit for your feelings, this year try identifying how you feel and how to change your attitude.
10. Find what makes you happy.
This is my resolution every single year. There are multitude of things that make us happy: new sports, art projects, cooking, etc. This year, discover something that makes you feel good.
This list is by no means exhaustive, but it seems important than in a culture that glorifies dieting and "healthiness" in general we take a moment and focus on other aspects of our lives.
