New Year's Resolutions are famous for being abandoned a month, a week, or even a few days into the new calendar. They're just about as faithful as they are popular. But instead of making the resolution to join a gym and work out every day or quit your bad habit of biting your nails, try making these little changes to your everyday routine for a more fun, more responsible, healthier, and all around better 2017.
1. Save a little money.
Whether it's putting your spare change in a mug, setting aside a small part of your paycheck, or putting a $5 bill into a jar every week, saving even the smallest amount will lead to a great surprise future you will be so thankful for. Think of what you could do with all those quarters that are sitting in the bottom of your purse!
2. Eat a little better.
Don't tell yourself you're going to go on a carb-free diet, stop eating all fast food, or become a vegan on January 1. Rapid changes like that are bound to fail--it's too hard to say no to french fries all of a sudden when you're used to eating them five times a week. Instead, try making your own lunch instead of running through the drive through every day, or order grilled chicken instead of fried, for example, when you go out to dinner. Little changes will help you get in the habit of eating better much more easily than quitting cold turkey.
3. Read a little more.
Pick up a newspaper and tell yourself you have to read it before you can watch Netflix or take a nap. Set yourself a goal to finish reading just one of those books you've been staring at on your shelf for a year by the end of the month. Once you finish it, chances are you'll move onto the next.
4. Do a little clean up of your friends lists.
Ever see a post from that one girl you were kind of friends with in elementary school, and wonder why you're even still friends with her? Delete it. Go through your friends lists and unfollow, unfriend, or unsubscribe to everyone you don't have an actual, real relationship with. It may sound harsh, but there is no point in wasting your precious time reading page-long political rants from your ex-boyfriend's uncle's girlfriend. Move on.
5. Take little risks.
Sign up for that weird free yoga class you heard about. Go with your friend to see that band you've never heard of. Take a study break and go wander around town. Doing just little things to change up your routine and broaden your horizons can make a huge impact on your day and even on your life as a whole. You never know what you may discover.
6. Make little kind gestures.
Do you ever see your friend's weird favorite snack in the grocery store and think about him? Buy it and take it to him. Is your roommate going through a hard time? Bring home her favorite coffee order when you go through Starbucks. You never know how much little gestures could effect a person's day.
7. Take a little breather.
Life is crazy. You deserve a break. Don't let yourself get to the point where you're so overwhelmed with school, work, friends, family, and other responsibilities that you have a full-on break down (@ me). Take little breaks in between hectic days to let yourself decompress and regroup before moving onto the next thing. You'll thank yourself later.
