Every year come New Year's Eve, we put on our thinking caps and compile a list (whether it be tangible or in our heads) of things that we promise to do in the New Year. Nine times out of ten, however, the things on that list are absolutely ridiculous/unobtainable and we end up breaking those promises mere days into January.
Rather than promise to go to the gym every single day of the New Year, or swear that you will drink only water for the next twelve months....Here are 17 actually-attainable New Year's Resolutions to incorporate into your 2017 to make it the best year yet:
1. Keep an open mind.
Try new things. Be adventurous. Don't let previously formed judgements in your head or the opinions of someone else sway your decision to do something. Remember that you are only young once, and you never know if you like something until you try.
2. Do more random acts of kindness.
The more positive vibes you spread, the more people tend to gravitate toward you. There are so many easy things that you can do to brighten a persons day for no cost at all--like smiling at people you pass on the street or holding a door open for a stranger. Remember, no act of kindness is ever wasted. The only thing you will get in return for doing all these random things is good karma, and who doesn't love good karma?
3. Don't dwell on the past.
The past is called the past for a reason. There is nothing that you can do to change it, so you might as well learn from the mistakes that you have made and move forward in life.
4. Stop being late.
Nothing makes a worse impression in todays society than showing up to something late. Do what you need to do to be early/on time- even if that means setting your alarm 5 to 10 minutes earlier than the actual time. One of the most important quotes I like to live by goes as follows... "If your early, you're on time. If you're on time, you're late. If you're late, you're lost!"
5. Cut out the negative people in your life.
This is easier said than done-- but once you have cut out all of the negative people in your life, you will quickly realize that you can go no where but up. Studies have shown that you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with, so why bring yourself down by continuing to hang out with negative people?
6. Be yourself, unapologetically.
In life (especially your college years) it can be very common to act like someone that you are not. Stop worrying about what other people think. It is a lot more fun to be yourself than to spend time worrying about the thoughts and opinions of others.
7. Start eating healthier.
This is a very broad point, but you have to start somewhere. Start eating more healthier food that will fill you up, and less junk food that will make you feel bad. It is important to establish good eating habits to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
8. Go to the gym more often.
Start with a small goal, like going two days a week. If you can commit to this successfully for a month, then you can slowly increase the amount of days. Don't overwork yourself, but don't slack off, either. If you aren't a gym person, it can be beneficial to do some research on fitness classes (Zumba, etc.) in your area. These are the key to getting in shape without actually entering a real gym.
9. Stop Procrastinating.
Don't wait until the day before a deadline to start working on a project. It can be very satisfying getting something done on time/early. There is no worse feeling than pushing off something that needs to be done for days and days, so like Nike said... "Just Do It".
10. Save. Your. Money.
If you stop blowing your money going out to eat (Panera, Chipotle, Chick Fil A, etc.) on a daily basis, you will be shocked to see how much saving adds up. Think about it- getting Chipotle (average of $12/meal with chips and drink) just twice a week every week amounts to $624/year. Set boundaries for yourself--like only allowing yourself to go out to eat once or twice a week-- and watch your wallet pile up.
11. Take time to relax.
In this day and age, it can be all too easy getting completely wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of every day life. That being said, it is important to set some time aside for yourself to just simply relax. There are so many things you can do to unwind, like taking a bath or binge watching your favorite Netflix show. Or even doing both at the same time. (It's possible).
12. Understand that everything happens for a reason.
It can be awfully easy to think about all of the "what ifs" in life. "What if I never ended things with him/her?" "What if I am taking the wrong classes?" "What if I made the wrong decision?" The list could go on forever. Rather than waste your time listing all of the "what ifs" in your life, just take a deep breath and be at peace by realizing that everything in your life happens for a reason.
13. Take every opportunity that you can get.
Stop sleeping on opportunities that come your way, no matter how strange they may seem at first. Believe it or not, opportunity is everywhere. You just have to go out and find it.
14. Be more social.
Finding a balance between work and play is key. Everyone deserves a reward after a long week spent working hard. Let's be real here... no one looks back on their life and remembers the weekend that they spent studying in the library for 30 hours.
15. Spend less time on your phone, and more time with friends/family.
There is no doubt that phones can be super distracting in any situation. However, there is nothing more disrespectful than having your eyes glued to your phone while you are out with company. Challenge yourself to spend less time on your phone, and maybe leave the phone at home while going out to family dinners, etc.
16. Cherish the little things.
There are a numerous amount of things that can be easily overlooked and taken for granted in life. Sometimes you just need to stop, smell the roses, and be grateful for every little thing that you are lucky enough to have.
17. Maintain a positive outlook.
Though it can be hard, keeping a positive outlook (even in the worst situations) is key to living a happy life. Being a negative person won't get your anywhere, so you might as well look on the bright side and try to see the best in everyone.
