The evening of December 31st has come to an end, and after a New Years kiss we may regret and the rest of the night we may not remember, we are ready to begin the New Year. Bright eyed and bushy tailed (starting on January 2nd of course) we are ready to tackle the unthinkable.
Reigning in January of the New Year, we have this fresh start. Although the overused idea of “New year, new me” is mocked, the idea beyond is quite profound. It’s the concept there is a tangible break from the person you were in 2015 to the person you wish to become in 2016. It’s an opportunity for you to take a step back, and work on yourself. Despite its inundation in all forums of social media, the slogan provides a sense of motivation for people to achieve their most unattainable goals. Finally, we will do the overwhelming amounts of charity work we have put off and study hard to get the best grades. We will hit the gym everyday.. Make that TWICE a day! When all is said and done, we will ride into 2017 as Mother Theresa with an IQ of 160 and a rockin’ six pack. But as likely as that is, I think we could all use a reality check and rethink our goals for the impending year.
Seven days into the New Year and I have already had my fair share of fumbles through my goals, but realizing it is okay to make mistakes is the first step in making these changes a lifestyle. I didn’t expect to change overnight nor do I know if these are practical changes for me. The trick to creating a successful New Year’s resolution is staying open minded and taking it slowly.
5 Ways to Start Improving yourself (a little at a time)
INTELLECTUALLY
Improving yourself intellectually is hard to measure. At times the voice that tells us to procrastinate is the voice that undermines our desire for knowledge. Being aware and willing to learn is half the battle.
DON’T procrastinate on schoolwork
It’s 12am. It’s dark, and it’s just you two. It’s quiet. Your homework is not finished. You know you should probably go do your homework, but you don’t want to leave the one you love. You hear his soft murmurs and then he asks the question… “Are you still watching ‘Dexter’?” It’s time for you to have “the talk” with your Netflix account. Tell him he can’t have you all night long anymore. Tell him he can’t keep taking time away from your schoolwork. I’m not saying completely breakup with the show you have obsessing over since winter break, but get your priorities straight.
DO prioritize school
Go to class! You have no excuse for skipping. Either you or someone else is paying a lot of money for your education and don’t take that for granted. Instead of seeing it as aclass, think of it as an opportunity to learn more. Knowledge is power and the power is at your fingertips.
DO actively seek knowledge
Even Google has a feature where if you are “feeling curious” it will generate a fun fact at random. Do that every once in awhile.
DO be in the moment
Learn from other people’s experiences in addition to your own. I know my parents always told me stories of “when I was a kid we did bad things blah blah blah… Learn from my mistakes.” Although obviously I want to make my
own mistakes, they make a valid point. And thanks Dad for sufficiently ruining Vegas buffets for me. Learning happens everywhere. Absorb the information around you. The people and events in your everyday life can teach you more than you could imagine you just have to listen.
PHYSICALLY
Improving yourself physically is the number one cliché goal on everyone’s list of resolutions. I was hoping to avoid it, but low and behold, here we are.
DON’T be the person who completely renovates their diet and becomes a self-proclaimed gym rat within 2 days of going to the gym
We all have that one friend who has stocked their fridge super foods and now drinks whey protein, while trying to hit the gym as much as possible for the month of January because “#GAINZZ.” Then he/she posts all about their new transformation on Instagram or Snapchat about how it’s “not a fad, it’s alifestyle.” In the wise words of Drake, they “go 0 to 100 real quick, real quick” and that’s really a difficult way to create better habits, even if the “whole squad is on that real” stuff. This becomes especially challenging when being healthy entails cutting out foods you love. Maybe that works for them and that’s awesome, but I know for most people this is not effective.
DO replace food with healthier options
Rather than not eating the foods that I crave I have slowly started replacing them. I love hummus and crackers, but now I eat hummus with carrots. I love mashed potatoes, if you boil, mash and add salt to cauliflower; the taste is comparable.
DO eat when you are hungry and stop when you are full
Stop snacking on junk food 24/7... Especially when you are already full.
DO eat fruits and vegetables to feel full
I just recently bought a microwave steamer at Target for $12.99 and now when I’m hungry I can cook broccoli in around 3 minutes. Eating healthy has been made very accessible. Also, fruit is good. Vegetables are good. EAT THEM.
DO indulge every once in a while
You won’t appreciate any of this if you completely deprive yourself. One donut is not going to RUIN your great start. Trust me, I had one Monday, and it was worth it.
These are easy, doable steps, because it’s hard for anyone to quit cold turkey (ha-ha).
SPIRITUALLY
Although not all believe in a God or in religion, this is something very dear to my heart in my resolutions this year. Moving forward in spirituality is an important aspect in moving forward as a whole.
DO make time for your religion
I recently downloaded the Bible app. It’s the little things that make the difference. It may not seem like much, but it’s great because whenever I want to read the Bible, it’s incredibly convenient, and I don’t have to lug around a two thousand-page book. In addition to providing a “Verse of the Day,” something else I love about this app is that it has suggestions for verses to read corresponding to everyday struggles we may have.
DO find people you want to share your religion with
No matter the religion, there is a certain comfort you feel when you worship surrounded with people who share your beliefs and support one another. I have put priority into finding a church where I feel at home, and as I have bounced around to different churches, the significance of that need for community has become even more solidified in my mind.
DON’T go judging people for not believing as you do
Everyone is at a different place in his or her faith, and that is something that should be respected. Just as you wish for them not to force their ideals on you, you shouldn’t impose your beliefs on them as well.
SOCIALLY- RELATIONSHIPS
Coming back from Winter break can be difficult. Reconnecting with all of your friends back home and then transitioning again to the friends you have at college is a challenge. We could all stand to work on our ability to juggle friendships.
DO check in
Be sure to let your friends know you are thinking about them. Be present in their lives. Let them know you care. Shoot them a text every once in a while, and make efforts to hang out with them. If you have good friends that are there for you, you should do nothing less for them. Be the friend you want to have.
DO ask about people’s lives like you care
I can’t tell you how many times I have seen someone after break and they have asked me how abo
ut my classes. Don’t ask how me what classes I’m taking. Don’t ask me how the weather was. Reach beyond the surface. Ask me about that one club I’m in or that one band I’m into or that thing that I told you I was going to do and I did it. Tell me how you thought about me when you saw my favorite blah blah. Relate to people on more of a basis than class or weather patterns. Save the small talk for people you don’t know that well and I intend to do the same.
DO surround yourself with good people
It's not always easy to trust in friends because sometimes they will disappoint you. It's important to remember those who don't like you, don't deserve to be in your life. I am so fortunate to have people in my life who care about me and push me to be a better person. In 2016, I challenge you to be aware of whom you associate with and whom you choose as your friends. Know that your friends have an influence on you and be wary of that fact. Be proud of those who you call your ride or dies. Love the friends who build you up and support you. Surround yourself with people who challenge you, people who push you to be the best person you can be. Reevaluate your friendships and you may find people care about you more than you know or cut people out of your life who bring you down. Be aware of the positive and negative forces at work in your life and all around you. Don’t forget that you alone choose who is allowed in your life, and people need to earn that privilege. Fill your life with people who respect you and your opinion.
MENTALLY- SELF AWARE
DO also realize you need some alone time
Recently I have realized the true importance of this. There is something to be said about the time you spend with yourself. It’s time that you can spend however you please, whether you wish to sit in silence or with music. Everyone needs time to think on his or her own, contemplate life. It’s a healthy escape. I personally love going to the movies by myself.
This is where I find my sanctuary. I drive to the theater belting out whatever song is on the radio all the way there, and then I buy a popcorn, drink and sometimes candy. I love that I don’t have to worry about someone talking during the movie. I don’t have to worry about sharing my popcorn. I feel content with my own company. We find ourselves through independence. Although others may shape who we are, only alone can we truly work on ourselves. To be the best you, it is necessary to separate yourself from all of the distractions in your life and focus on you.
DO things for yourself
There is nothing wrong with being a little selfish. Do things because you want to, not because someone else is forcing your hand. DO your New Year’s resolutions because YOU want to. Bottom line: Workout because you want to. Eat because you want to. Follow God because you want to. Learn because you want to.
Love yourself this year. Spoil yourself. You deserve it. Happy New Year!!
Photo cred:
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http://runthismom.com/2013/05/31/30-day-clean-eating-challenge-revisited/
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http://hellogiggles.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/17/Blair-Waldorf-and-Serena-van-der-Woodsen.jpg
http://wedding-quotesss.co/the-bible-app.html
http://cdn1.theodysseyonline.com/files/2016/01/02/635873200337678401-451549557_empty-movie-theater.jpg
