It's a new year, new you! Which means it's also time to make a grand, sweeping resolution that you're statistically unlikely to keep (don't blame me, blame science). And who do as few as 8% of people achieve their goals for the new year? Because they're unattainable. Take this year not to find your soul mate or lose 50 pounds, but to work towards a you that is fresh, happy, and new. And lord knows that after this year we could all use a little refresher.
1. Drink more water
This is my remedy for basically everything because it's such a basic concept. If you're not drinking enough water, you're going to be sluggish. Your skin won't be clear. Your organs won't function at top speed and your digestion won't function as smoothly. Staying hydrated is the first step to starting the new year with a small lifestyle change that will make a big difference.
2. Change your sheets
Fresh sheets just feel like a fresh start. I wash mine at least every two weeks as is recommended because not only is it more hygienic, but there's something about clean sheets that is very comforting and refreshing. Taking a shower and climbing into a nicely made bed with clean sheets makes me feel like I have my life together despite the fact that I clearly don't.
3. Clean your house
Don't wait until that manic spring cleaning mode kicks in in a few months before you deep clean your house. Tidying up and looking at a clean house will chase away the winter blahs, and don't pretend there isn't a bunch of post-Christmas goodies laying around your house right now because you just don't know where to put them. As you're reorganizing, take the time to evaluate your belongings and donate what you don't use. You know, out with the old and in with the new.
4. Organize ALL the things
Moving is great because it makes you look through all your drawers and cabinets and realize how much absolute crap you have. But the good news is, you can do this without an imminent move. You just have to motivate yourself to look closely at the things you would prefer not to- your junk drawer, your linen closet, your medicine cabinet- and take everything out, toss the trash/lint/expired painkillers/mismatched pillowcases, and put what you need back in. Ta-da! You have a clean, organized new space that will be wrecked again in time for next New Years!
5. Make a list of goals
This could be a 5 year plan with 27 detailed steps or simply a short list of things you'd like to accomplish this year. Whatever your style, take these ideas and plans that have been floating around in your mind and put them down on paper. You can frame this list and hang it above your bed or toss it in the trash, but at least you've put words to your wants and needs in your life and put them somewhere outside of your own head.
6. Clean up your friends list
No, I don't mean cut out your friends in real life, unless of course you think that is warranted as well. I mean tidy up your social media friends list. I try to go through mine every few months to keep me from getting wrapped up in the lives of people I no longer truly care to be in touch with. I try not follow people from my old high school that I'm not actually currently friends with because to be honest, I don't truly want or need to know what's going on in their lives. I don't need to follow strangers on Instagram just so I can look at their pictures and be jealous of their lives. I don't need to follow my siblings' friends on twitter to keep up with the high school drama. Because of this, I spend less time catching up on social media and less time thinking and gossiping about people whose lives shouldn't be of any concern to me. I have a friend who said to me once, "I had to delete her on Facebook because she made me have hate in my heart," and as funny as it was, that's actually pretty healthy. Why hang on to friends, Facebook or otherwise, just waiting for them to do something to get on your nerves, when you could be focusing on friends and family who you actually care about and interact with in real life?
If you need to see a change in your life, go for it. Don't wait for the start of a new year to do what you could be doing right now. But with the start of a new year, you do have the opportunity to use these tips for a fresh start!
