It’s Never too Late for Resolutions

Well, it’s officially that time of year again. You know, the short period of time where everyone is actually sticking to their New Year’s Resolutions. Whether it’s focusing on being healthier, reducing stress, or starting a new hobby, it seems as though everyone you talk to has a resolution: but very rarely do people follow their plan for the full year. In fact, only 8 percent of people actually achieve their resolution.

As for the other 92 percent? Perhaps their resolutions were simply not the right fit for them. Perhaps they were too unrealistic. Or, perhaps, people are just not choosing resolutions that excite or motivate them enough.

One of the most common mistakes when choosing a resolution is choosing something that deprives the resolutionee (this is a made up word). This inevitably sets the person up for failure, which then leads to excruciating guilt. Then, after the guilt subsides, the resolution fades away like it was just a dream, and the person repeats the cycle again the next year with another unattainable resolution.

This whole problem could be avoided if people simply chose better resolutions. It is not as easy as it sounds, I know. But I am here to tell you today, about one month late, about the many unique and exciting resolutions that can be made for those of you who can never seem to stick to your plan. Before I continue, just remember; it is never too late to begin a new resolution.

After scrolling through the pages on pages of resolutions on Pinterest, I have compiled a list of some of my favorites. Note that they are sustainable and are easy to follow because they are specific. Here is the list:

1. “Year of Kindness” Box
   • Fill this box every day with compliments you receive, acts of kindness that you witness, thank you notes, and more. Read this at the end of the year!
2. Gratitude Journal
   • Write for five minutes every day about something (or multiple things) you are grateful for. Fun fact: This activity is shown to increase long-term well-being by over 10%.
3. Daily Positivity
   • Every day, think of a random person, and send them a positive message through a text, a call, etc.
4. Wake-Up
   • If you want to wake up earlier, pick a time specific time. Each day, wake up one minute earlier until you reach your goal!
5. Bedtime
   • Similar to no. 4, if you are the type of person that is sleep-deprived, go to bed one minute earlier each night until you reach your goal.
6. New Workouts
   • Try a new exercise class at least once each month. By the end of the year, you can say you have been to 12 different types of workout classes!
7. Memory Jar
   • Every day, write one positive memory or good event that occurred in your life that day.
8. Stay In Touch
   • Make an effort to keep in touch with friends or family that you may not get to see on a regular basis. Call or text someone like this once a week to let them know you’re thinking of them.
9. Money Problems
   • If you want to reduce spending, make yourself a budget. It is more difficult to spend too much money knowing that you are violating your own budget.
10. Phone Addiction
    • Turn your phone off for 1-2 hours a day. You may be shocked to find how relaxing it is to be unplugged, even for such a short period of time.
11. Art Therapy
    • Buy yourself a coloring book or just use white paper. Allow yourself 15 minutes per day of coloring in order to reduce stress.
12. For Foodies
    • Eat out at one new restaurant every two weeks. You may just find your new favorite place.
13. Forgiveness
    • Okay, so this is a hard one to quantify, but I still think it should be on the list. The resolution: forgive someone.
14. Knowledge
    • Look up the definition for a word you don’t know every day. Maybe buy a word-a-day calendar. Look at it this way; by 2019, you will know 365 more words than you did before.
15. Photography
    • Take a photo every day for the year.  Make a slideshow and watch it at the end of the year!

Let’s make this the year you choose a fantastic goal and stick to it!

Remember:

• Whatever resolution you choose, quantify it and make sure you have a specific goal in mind.
• Don’t be discouraged if you skip a day or slack off for a little. Just because you faltered does not mean that you failed; consider each day a new opportunity to start fresh.
• The only person that can make the resolution happen is YOU. It should be calming that it is all in your own hands;  all you have to do it make the time.

Good luck everyone; make the next 11 months of 2018 the best months yet.