We are a little over a week into the new year, and I have already begun to hear complaints and grievances toward keeping new year’s resolutions. This is my first year where I have actually compiled a list of goals to complete within the next 365 days, and that means that this is also my first year understanding the struggles that everyone goes through while trying to maintain the promises to themselves.
Luckily, I enjoy creating lists to keep myself on task, so what I have for you are ways to stick to your new year’s resolution.
- Avoid clichés. Although working out and eating better are great, and healthy, goals to strive for, there is no need to promise the guarantee that you will eat a salad every day right after you go to the gym. Be realistic! Start small. You are not expected to turn into a health buff overnight. Start going to the gym 2/3 times a week and make yourself a heart-healthy meal afterwards. Your mind, and body, will thank you!
- Add goals that could be completed the moment you think of them. Want to be motivated? The best way is by crossing a goal off your list! Get that tattoo you wanted or finish the book you started over break. No matter how small the activity may seem, the fact that you can say you actually completed one of your goals will impact your future motivation to complete the others.
- Surround yourselves with people that will support your decisions. We are all so quick to laugh at the person who actually means “new year, new me,” but what we don’t see is that some people need this imaginary clean slate to leave the negativities behind and start anew. If you’re one of those people, confide in some close friends about the goals you wish to achieve, and allow their support to boost you up when you’re feeling a bit unmotivated.
- One of my roommates did the total body class at the gym and my other roommate said something along the lines of: “I’m so impressed, you’re really killing it,” and you could just see the first roommate’s face light up as she plans her next workout.
- One of my roommates did the total body class at the gym and my other roommate said something along the lines of: “I’m so impressed, you’re really killing it,” and you could just see the first roommate’s face light up as she plans her next workout.
- Breathe. The Great Wall of China was not built in one day! You have a whole year to complete these goals, you are allowed to take a break to just regain some energy. Drink water. We sometimes forget that dehydration can cause us to feel tired and unmotivated, so sit back and relax with a glass of water and you will soon feel ready to complete your tasks for the day.
- Most importantly, remember that you are human. Every single person on this planet has made at least a few mistakes, that is one of the things that makes our species so unique. A week into the year and you may realize that you do not want to do one of the things that you told yourself you were going to, and that’s okay! The whole point of this life is to create and recreate ourselves constantly, allowing us to have new experiences that will make all the pain and suffering worthwhile. Your happiness is in the hands of the person you are right now, not the person of the past, nor the person of the future.
I hope these tips will allow you to stick to your resolutions a little better than you used to, and I truly hope that this is the year for us all! To 2017!
