The New Year has come and 2017 will only be what you make it. So many people worry about what their New Year's Resolution is going to be. "Lose 30 pounds," "Fit into size 2 pants," "Make my body look like that Instagram account." You don't need a Resolution for 2017, but you can make a Resolution for yourself. Whether it lasts all year or not, give it a try.
1) Say the word “hate” less.
And pay more attention to what you love.
2) Spend more time with friends.
Don’t bail on them when you’re stressed, go out for dinner and let them take your mind off things
3) Talk to your family more often.
Answer all their questions about your love life. Heck, maybe you could ask them some questions once in a while too.
4) Eat more salad.
But don’t be upset with yourself when you eat too big of a piece of cake.
5) Smile.
And take the initiative to help other people smile too.
6) Take the lead.
And stop giving in to what other people want you to do.
7) Take risks.
And stop being so afraid of the “what if.”
8) Be more organized,
Keep a planner and take more notes.
9) Talk less, listen more.
Be there for those who need you when they need you.
10) Channel your energy.
Take the things that bother you and turn them into the ability to focus on your dreams.
11) Be patient.
And learn to take a breath and a step back when you start to feel anxious.
12) Think less, do more.
Make the first move. Stop worrying about what could happen, if they don’t like you back, if they say no. Just try.
13) Pick up a new hobby.
Start doing something new and stick with it, or don’t. But if you don’t, find something else. Find something that will fill 15 stress-relieving minutes of each day.
14) Read more books.
And I don’t mean your school textbooks. Those may be “required” for school, but take some time to read a good book. Get a recommendation from a friend and read it.
15) Stop procrastinating.
And start planning ahead. Due tomorrow does not mean do tomorrow.
16) Spend more time in nature.
And get off your phone more often.
17) Enjoy the little things.
Because they’re the things you’ll miss when your life moves quickly.
18) Learn something new.
Everyday, or week or month. No matter how often, just be sure to make an effort to learn something new.
19) Be kinder to yourself.
You’re the most important person in your own life and you deserve to treat yourself better.
20) Keep a journal.
Whether it’s how you feel or what you ate, keep track of something.
21) Keep a finish list.
Not a to-do list. It’ll make it easier to do what needs to be done if you’re prepared to finish something, not just to do something.
22) Travel.
Get out of the house and find some place you’ve never been before.
23) Volunteer.
For a bigger cause than those in your circle, for those who can't help themselves. Help them.
There are so many ways to make yourself a better person that don't involve changing your body. Living a happier, healthier life does not have to mean going to the gym eight times a week. You don't need a new idea every New Year. Make a change at any point in the year, and make it count.
