“New year, new me.” So goes the ever tired saying… only to find ourselves breaking our resolutions barely a month into the year. History doesn’t have to repeat itself, however, and this 2018, commit to finally changing for the better so you can turn into a brand new you.
Here are just some of the totally doable changes you can do for yourself this new year.
Stop making vague and lofty resolutions.
You know the very type — the ones scribbled in your notebook, or pinned to a wall but remain uncrossed. Whether it’s “lose weight”, “exercise more”, or “get more things done”, stop making motherhood statements that sound as pageant-like as “world peace and goodwill for all”. Either you will be daunted by the sheer weight of how they sound, or you wouldn’t know how to begin at all.
Focus on small, daily tasks you can track.
Instead of making sweeping, generalized statements that can be difficult to quantify, go for small, manageable tasks that don’t take up a lot of willpower. It can be as simple as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or accomplishing the most difficult task on your to-do list first.
Learn how to say “no”.
As the new year is here, it’s also time to set some boundaries and learn how to say no — whether it’s to people who ask you to do something at the last minute or friends who constantly contribute to your unproductivity. As much as we would want to do more not just for ourselves but for other people, it’s important for us to learn how to stand up for ourselves and not take anything less.
Know how to apologize, and mean it.
The new year is not just about being fitter and more productive — it’s also ultimately about forging better relationships with the people around us. Brush the negativity aside and know how to sincerely apologize to a friend, family member, or co-worker and ask what you can do to resolve the conflict. You don’t want to go into 2019 holding a year-old grudge.
Set aside some “me time” for yourself every day.
While busy bees may balk at the mention of “me time”, having time for yourself doesn’t have to take up so much, well, time. Easily setting 10 minutes for yourself that doesn’t involve checking your phone for updates is an easy way to contribute to creativity and mental health. Try meditating, bonding with your dog, or reading a book.
Thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments!
