Living Up To My Resolutions | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Living Up To My Resolutions

Resolutions don't have to only be for January.

8
Living Up To My Resolutions
New Mind New Body

To me, resolutions can be incredibly daunting. I make a list at the end of each year-—naming all the ways I want to do to better myself, yet it hardly ever seems to happen the way I imagined, or at all. The idea in itself is great. Who doesn’t want to make an effort to become a better person? The thing that scares me is that it is the magnitude of change we can’t help but envision when we make our lists.

Granted, it is only February, but I am already struggling to keep the same positive attitude toward my goals for betterment. Losing weight, saving money, being more social, and becoming more worldly are all broad, open-ended resolutions that I tend to focus on every year. And, like every year, I struggle and end up feeling bad when I fall short of my aspirations. My resolutions for the year usually end up fizzling out by the end of the first month.

This year I decided to try and make a resolution for my resolutions; resolution inception, if you will.

I resolved to simplify my life and goals.

This isn’t to say that I want to take things out of my life or that I want to make my goals smaller. I have the same goals I have always had, just in more manageable portions. I can even further this by aiming for monthly and semester goals instead of shooting for yearlong resolutions.

Breaking up my big goals into smaller, bite-sized accomplishments allows me to gain a better sense of success.

For example:

Instead of trying to lose weight, I am going start simply by drinking more water. There are a ton of studies about the benefits of drinking more water and I think that it is something manageable that I won’t feel pressured to accomplish.

Being more social is an intimidating resolution as I tend to be more introverted. This semester I am challenging myself to become more involved. Getting involved in clubs and opportunities within my major, searching for internships and jobs, and running for positions in my sorority are all ways I can see myself stepping outside of my comfort zone and meeting more people.

Saving money is a tougher one to simplify. There are many different ways to save money but I’m not sure which one is the most effective. This month I am going to try to limit my impulsive shopping. I tend to grab things at the store that look good at the moment but end up not being all that great when I realize I’m constantly broke and didn’t really need it (I’m looking at you, family-sized bag of Cheetos).

Becoming more worldly is such an open-ended goal that I get intimidated before I even start. I realized that in order to become more worldly, I have to decide what that actually means to me. I often find myself inspired by people who can remove themselves from the technology dependent addiction in our society. Therefore, this month I am challenging myself to read a non-electronic copy of a book for one hour every day. Reading books used to be a daily past time for me but as school and life have demanded more of my time and energy, I don’t read, or even enjoy reading as much as I used to. I expect this challenge to be the hardest because I know that I am addicted to my phone and attempting to be electronic for an hour on my own volition is going to be a challenge. I know that I need to ease back on my media consumption but quitting it cold turkey will probably do more harm than good.

It is my hope that by delving up my life-changing resolutions into smaller portions will yield more success than tackling them head on has proven. Instead of feeling intimidated by my list of goals, I’m actually feeling inspired and think I can really make a difference for myself this month, the semester, and eventually, the year.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

136654
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

32299
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

29446
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments