New Year's resolutions are something we do every year. We give ourselves unrealistic goals that we wish to do all throughout the year. Most resolutions are forgotten about within the month. Many resolutions have to do with big changes in your life, but chances of keeping these going all year are very slim. So here are some smaller resolutions that are realistic in 2017.
1. Eat healthy, but don't diet.
Losing weight or getting back into shape is the most common resolution for the new year. It is also the one that gets tossed away once people go back to work or school and the holiday's end and responsibilities come back into play. So why not tweak that resolution and focus more on what you put into your body. While exercising 60 minutes a day is recommended, sometimes it is difficult when life gets crazy. But eating healthier can be much easier. That is not saying you should diet because that can be unhealthy and you will feel the same sense of shame if you break the diet that you would feel if you broke the resolution. Just watch the amount of junk you put in your body, eat more fruits and veggies, and don't be afraid to treat yourself if you want to. You only live once, you know?
2. Compliment yourself once a day.
Each morning when you look in the mirror as you are getting ready for the day, find something you like about yourself. Your eyes, your hair, your rockin' booty, or your smile. Just find something positive. And as the day goes on, keep going. Compliment your ability to handle a tough situation at work. Compliment your ability to keep calm when road rage is nagging at you. Compliment your intelligence and wit. Compliment yourself as much as you need to boost your confidence. It might start off tough at first, especially if you are full of self-doubt, but as time goes on it will be easier and easier until you are even more confident.
3. Treat yourself to dates with yourself.
We all need alone time every once and while. So treat yourself. Whether it is going to a movie you've been dying to see, treating yourself to a nice restaurant or going to a cafe, or even just sitting at home and reading a book or dancing in your underwear. You deserve a time to just be with yourself. So make it a priority in the new year. Make it a priority to care about you.
4. Walk more (if you can).
If you are able-bodied, go on more walks. If the weather is nice, go outside. Get some fresh air and take in the sights around you. See the people walking their puppies because puppies are cute. If the weather is not too great, walk around the house. Get the muscles moving and the blood flowing. If you are not able-bodied, find a way to go outside or see a new space or an old, beloved space. Just get some fresh air and get the blood flowing.
5. Go outside whenever you can.
Go on walks, jogs, exploring, etc. Plant a garden, sunbathe, just go outside and take a deep breath to get some fresh air in your system. Just enjoy the world we live in.
6. Stop relying on social media so much.
Don't check up on where your friends are, especially if it will just cause you major FOMO. I'm not saying you shouldn't go on social media at all, but just lessen it. Instead of just going on it when you are bored, go on it when you actually want to see what is going on in the world or what your friends are up to.
7. Stop comparing yourself to others.
Don't look at the person in the magazine or television and wish you looked like them or sounded like them. Find the good in yourself first. Appreciate the good in others, but don't compare them to yourself. That is harmful to both parties.
8. Read a book.
Read at least one book in the year. Find one that you have been dying to read and read a page or so whenever you have a spare moment or just want to unwind. It keeps your brain moving and gives your eyes a break from the bright screen of a computer. Let yourself go into an alternate universe and focus on the problems of fictional characters and not on your own. It is a great mini escape.
9. Listen more.
Sometimes we get so caught up in all the things we want to talk about that we forget to listen to those around us. When having a conversation with someone, remember to actually listen to what the other is saying and not just plan your response while partially listening. Pay attention, you never know what they really are saying.
10. Be more daring.
I'm not saying go bungee jumping or skydive (unless you want to then you go do that!), but be more willing to say yes to scary things. Say yes to the hair cut you have been wanting but too nervous to get. Say yes to asking the question to the boss. Say yes to things that you are nervous too. Unless it is something that will harm you or you are being taken advantage of, try saying yes a little more.
11. But also don't be afraid to say no.
Stop letting people walk all over you. Allow yourself to say no to things that you don't want to do. If you do not have the time or energy to do something, just say no. If you are constantly helping others, sometimes you forget to help yourself. So just stop letting people take advantage of your kindness and focus on you.
12. Take more picture
While we do live in a very digital age where everything is documented, don't be afraid to take even more pictures. Take a picture of that cute dog you see on the street. Take a picture of your best friend while she is driving and singing with the windows down. Take pictures of special moments and the small moments. Give yourself things to look back on before the start of 2018 so you can see how amazing your 2017 was.
13. Save some money
Now I know saving money can be tough. You want to go to that nice restaurant or see that new movie. But an easy way to save some money is to collect your spare change. All that spare change that just sits at the bottom of your purse or in the cupholder of your car adds up. Set up a jar somewhere in your house that is dedicated to loose change. Whenever you have some, put it in the jar. It won't add up to much, but it's better than money forgotten in your purse.
14. Learn a new hobby
In your spare time, it is tempting to just put on Netflix and bum out for hours. While that can be great occasionally, why not challenge your brain and try something new. Learn a new language using duolingo or another app on your smartphone. Practice singing a new song or even a new instrument. Knit, do puzzles, learn origami. The list goes on and on.
15. Try to stop a bad habit
Whether it is biting your nails or tapping your leg or something else completely, we all have bad habits. Sometimes, these bad habits have been forming for years and we just don't take the time to try to stop them. Make it a priority in the new year to be more conscious of your bad habits. It doesn't mean you have to stop them completely, but being more conscious of them can make it a bit easier to stop. And if you really want to stop completely, learn ways to do so online because chances are you are not the only one with this bad habit so there will be tips and tricks online.
16. Stop apologizing
That doesn't mean that you should never apologize. If you wrong someone or do something that's not right, apologize. But don't apologize for silly things. Instead of saying something like "Sorry for taking up your time", say "Thank you for allowing me a moment of your time". Apologizing for silly things like that can make it seem like you can be pushed around. Show people how confident you are in your presense and they will sense it too.
17. Don't feel bad if you don't keep a resolution
We are not perfect beings. We all make mistakes. We slip up. If you forget about a resolution, try again another time. Don't just wait for a new year to make a change. There are plenty of oppertunities throughout the 365 days we have in a year to make a change, why focus on one to start them? If you mess up, it's okay. It is not the end of the world. Resolutions are meant to help you, not stress you okay. If you can keep one going all year, that's great! If not, it's okay. Just do whatever will make you happy and make this year one you can be proud of.
