First of all, Happy New Years! One of the most common sayings around this time is, "New Year, New Me," but we all know after the first month we return to our old habits and forget our resolutions for the new year. Whether it's becoming healthier, staying more fit, being happier, taking chances, stressing less, traveling more or being more adventurous; we sometimes forget our resolutions are for an entire year.
Social media has deemed 2016 as one of the worst years due to loss of some of the greatest celebrities, the election, awful bombings and killings all around the world and not to mention the creepy clown craze. With such a tragic year on its way out, we should welcome the new year with open arms.
However, sometimes picking and sticking to a New Years resolution can be challenging. Don't ask me what my 2016 resolution was because I honestly have no idea. However, this year I'm not just picking a resolution, I'm going to take action and commit to it full heartedly.
In 2017 I want to be more fit so I have registered for a Spartan race in exactly six months. Because I've already registered and committed to a team, I know there is no way I will cancel. Now every time I try to talk myself out of going to the gym, I can remind myself that I have to run five miles uphill with a bucket of sand over my head. "I have to go to the gym or else I'll be rushed to the emergency room" is going to my life motto for these next few months.
The key to sticking with your new year's resolution is making sure you set it into action. If you hope to be healthier, set regular doctor appointments or visit a nutritionist multiple times throughout the year to make sure you're staying on track with a healthy lifestyle. If you want to travel more but "don't have the time", book the trip six months in advance that way you can arrange everything else around your travel plans. If you wish to stress less during the new year, make time for yourself. Stop procrastinating, set weekly and monthly goals to accomplish your to-do list so you have time to relax once and a while.
You obviously can't change your life in one month, so why give up on a resolution in one month? If you want to better yourself, you need to start with one small change. Then don't give up on that small change after just a few days, keep adding more changes until one day you realize you've changed yourself for the better.
Or make one big change right away (like booking that trip) so you don't end up regretting it by the end of the year. If you want to take more chances, travel more or be more adventurous-- you're the only one who can change your life into what you want it to be.
Pick a New Years resolution, start planning how you're going to take action on it throughout the year and have an amazing 2017!
