Every year starts out the same way. Midnight on January 1st rolls around and people make the same resolutions to exercise more, eat healthily, and be more organized. After about two weeks, people forget entirely about the promises they made for the new year and they go back to the habits they had been determined to break. According to the Guardian, 66% of people who make resolutions at the new year keep them for less than a month and 80% keep them for less than three months.
So, with this in mind, why do we keep making the same resolutions that we ultimately never keep? And why do so many of these resolutions have to do with our physical appearance? This year I am challenging myself, and you too, to try something new: try making resolutions for yourself that are both easy to keep and increase your own worth.
Here are seven resolutions that will change your outlook on life.
1. Love every inch of yourself
There is so much negativity and self-hate surrounding our body images. So, you will never be more beautiful than you are once you learn to love every part of yourself, both physically and mentally.
2. Smile more
When you do things as simple as smiling at more people, you can not only improve your own mood but also the moods of those around you. This creates a more pleasant atmosphere around you as you go about your day.
3. Be educated
It has never been easier to know and understand what is going on in the world around you. You can read and watch the news while also making sure that you see how other news outlets are spinning the story. By looking at multiple sources, you can make sure that what you have read is accurate.
4. Tell people how much you care about them
Do not be afraid to tell people how much they mean to you. Tell your friends that you love them and tell them often! Also, be sure to frequently tell your significant other how wonderful they are and what they mean to you!
5. Stand up for what you believe in
When someone is perpetuating a hateful rhetoric, many people choose a passive role and decide not to say anything in response. Rather than hoping someone else will stand up, do it yourself and let others like yourself know that hate-mongering will not be tolerated.
6. Pay it forward
When someone does something nice for you, do something nice for someone else in return. The chain will continue, making the world a better place. Do not feel afraid to start your own pay it forward chain because it has to start somewhere!
7. Take a risk
What is life without a little risk? It may be worth it; you could succeed and, even if you fail, you could end up learning a valuable life lesson.
So, let's make sure 2017 ends up being so much better than 2016! After all, it can't get worse, right?
