I doubt I was the only one expecting everyone to talk about the typical resolutions during this New Years period. There are those people who want to lose weight and eat healthier. Then you have that group of people who want to be kinder this year. You have those who want to save money for whatever reason. You have those people who swear they will cut everyone off in the New Year. And you can’t forget about those students who want to stop procrastinating and raise their grade point average.
While these are great resolutions to have, few people ever actually accomplish them and then you hear the same story all over again next year.
2016 should be different, don’t you think?
As I was thinking about the goals I personally wanted to achieve this New Year I realized that the normal resolutions are always very self-centered. Of course, it is great to work on oneself because no one can take care of you like you can take care of yourself. But wouldn’t it be great if the personal goals we set for ourselves had a positive impact on the world around us?
This is exactly what I thought about when making my New Year goals and I came up with 5 goals that I would love if everyone strove for as well. You cannot even imagine the positive impact we could have on the world if we adopted these things in the year of 2016.
So let’s get right into it
1. Be Less Materialistic
We live in a society that makes us believe that we need new things all the time. We always need the latest technology. We always need to wear the trendiest clothes. And so we end up in this cycle of consumerism and materialism without even thinking about the negative impact we might be having on the globe. Has anyone ever stopped to think about how the fashion industry affects the globe? Has anyone ever stopped to think about the environmental impact of that new iPhone?
This year I made it a personal goal to purge my belongings. I want to cull my wardrobe, remove all the excess from my life and live really minimally. I want to have a small wardrobe (think capsule wardrobe) of good quality, recycled and even thrift pieces that are great quality and last a long time rather than buying new clothes every season.
There are some people who can fit all their possessions in a backpack (and no they are not homeless)…that doesn’t sound like such a bad idea. This year let us strive to no longer be fettered to our material items and let us step away from the cycle of consumerism.
2. Become Spiritually Healthy
Everyone normally strives to be physically healthy in the New Year but what about our spirit? This year should be the year where we find ourselves and nurture our spirit man (or woman). For me, as a Christian, this involves delving into the Word of God, praying and being in conversation with God daily and learning to discern His Voice. But no matter what belief system you follow or do not follow try to get to know your god or get to know yourself. Read spiritually enriching books, meditate and find your center. When you are able to find balance in life and stop neglecting your spirituality things will being to change for you and people will generally feel good vibes from you and want to be around you. By working on your inner self, you will change your outer self and everyone else.
3. Start Living Waste Free
Do you know how much non-biodegradable waste ends up in landfills and oceans every year? Of course, the main problem is that we are not disposing of our waste properly but another problem is that fact that we produce so much useless waste. For example, why does toilet paper or deodorant come in so much packaging that needs to be thrown away? We can make such a difference if we choose to live waste free…which is a lot easier than it may sound.
There are plenty of resources online and blogs that can provide the needs information but here are some simple things you can do.
- Recycle, Recycle, Recycle. When we properly recycle things we do not need to worry about things ending up in landfills. Recycling is also very easy to do as there are recycling bins almost everywhere nowadays. Really all we need to do is know which bin what goes into.
- Reusable containers. If you are like me and for some reason need a cup of coffee every day then you should invest in a glass (better than plastic) tumbler that you can just fill with coffee. Also, invest in refillable water bottles as this drastically cuts down on the amount of plastic water bottles that end up in oceans and landfills. Also, a lot of refillable bottles look very cute. If you are a student or a worker you can even pack your lunch in a glass container and bring it along with you this way you are also saving money because you do not need to buy food. And we all know it is great to save a few bucks now and then.
You can even take it a step further.
- Study your garbage and find out what things you throw away the most and which alternatives you can buy or make to replace that.
- Make your own deodorant, lotions, and toothpaste, make-up products and hair products. It is not too hard and homemade natural products are actually a lot better for your health and wallet. And for the ladies out there USE MENSTRUAL CUPS AND WASHABLE PADS AND PANTYLINERS.
- Take canvas bags and mason jars to the grocery market when you go shopping. Instead of buying things with so much packaging that needs to be thrown away just use the jars and bags to hold things like fruit, meat, milk, etc.
4. Become More Informed
Keep yourself informed this year. And I do not necessarily mean just watch the News on television. If you do some research you will find out that 6 major companies are in charge of almost everything you see on the television as in all the major channels. When you have only 6 entities deciding what you can and cannot view, your world view can become very warped.
5. Do Not Wait Until The New Year to Start Any New Goals
Because what is each day but the start to another new year.
