‘Tis the season of new year’s resolutions. Most likely, you’ve made some resolutions in your lifetime. The new year is an excellent time to brush the slate clean and pledge to be better.
In this post, I’ll talk about 10 resolutions that are sure to improve your year. They are efficient and worth every minute you spend on them. Keep in mind, each of these resolutions are broad. I recommend specifying each of these much more the goal. For example, instead of just “eating healthier,” specify with saying, “limit eating out to once a week” or “have one meal each day based around vegetables.” With more specificity, you have a way to measure whether you are keeping your resolution or not.
So, are you ready to look at some excellent resolutions to crush this year? Let’s go.
Eat healthier
It seems like physical health is a resolution everyone makes each year. Or is that just me? But, there’s a good reason for that. Physical health affects every other aspect of our lives. For example, eating unhealthy foods causes sluggish thoughts whereas plant-based, healthy foods speed up your processing. Couple this resolution with regular exercise and you’ll see the effects in no time.
Read daily
Even if you’re a bookworm like me, if you have a full-time job or are a generally busy person, this kind of habit gets pushed aside all the time. For whatever reason, we sometimes think that there are other goals more worthy of our time. However, reading can reduce stress, increase our intelligence, and increase empathy. Also, with reading comes learning which most people don’t actively seek out after finishing school.
Declutter your home
Clean surroundings lead to a clean mind. Or at least, I think that’s how the saying goes. After accumulating a lot of unnecessary things over the holiday season (sorry, Santa), most people could do with a cleanse.
Work through each room of your house and donate extra things to your local thrift store. Plus, it’s tax deductible!
Make peace with your past
This is one thing I accomplished last year, and let me tell you, it was probably the most important thing I did in 2019. I hadn’t even realized I had been holding onto this shame for so long. I tried to brush it aside and pretend it didn’t exist. But, despite me pretending nothing was wrong, it still permeated everything I did. It wasn’t until I made peace that I was finally able to move forward.
Is there something or someone in your past that feels unfinished? Maybe this is the year to make peace.
Explore
This resolution could look very different for different people. You may want to explore more of the world and travel more this year. You could explore your local area and choose to walk rather than drive places. I walked to the local library after moving to a new place, and I found a playground, skatepark, and golf course that I had somehow not even noticed in the blur rushing past my car window.
On the other hand, this resolution may pertain to exploring your personality more. This could include trying a new hobby each month or journaling for introspection. Whatever you choose, be sure to specify your goal.
Devise a better routine
Routines are great for adding structure to an otherwise messy schedule. If you’re someone that thrives off spontaneity, perhaps skip this resolution. However, if you need more structure in your life, consider working on your routine.
For me, I need a little routine along with some spontaneity. So, the first hours of my day are spent on my habits like journaling, reading scriptures, cleaning, exercising, and showering/getting ready for the day. After that, it’s work hours and any errands I have to run. After 4 pm, I let go of the schedule and let myself do anything as long as I’m off my phone and in bed reading by 6 pm (I’ve got an insanely early bedtime because I work from 3 am – 6 am currently). On weekends, I have a date with my husband, go hiking, and go to church. This is enough routine for the structure I need and enough freedom for me to boost rather than drain my creative reservoir.
Your new routine may have similarity and more likely many differences.
Improve your relationships
The majority of resolutions are focused inward. After all, the phrase is “New Year, new you,” right? However, oftentimes, focusing outward in love affects us more than anything inward would.
This year, an excellent resolution to make is improving your relationships. You can focus on a significant other, friend, family member, or strangers. Your specific resolution could be something like “Go on a date weekly with my significant other” or “Compliment one person every day.”
Do something creative
Recharging my creative reserves is something I always seem to neglect. For creative people (and you might be more creative than you think), it’s important to actually create each day, especially if you have a tedious job.
If you struggle to be creative, start a new hobby with the intention to never show anyone the finished product. When you don’t have to worry about impressing anyone, you’re free to be as imaginative and wild as possible. Try picking up crocheting, watercolors, piano, or interior decorating.
Unplug an hour before bed
A study of 2000 Americans found they spend on average six hours and 43 minutes a day in front of a screen (according to OnePoll working for the contact lens company CooperVision). Makes sense, as most Americans use a computer at work, a huge chunk of their day.
While technology is massively helpful in so many ways, it’s important to remember to get off every once in a while. Resolving to turn off all electronics an hour before bed gives your body time to wind down, and your mind time to read more or improve your relationships (and knock out two resolutions with one stone).
Learn something new
After finishing school, it’s likely you’ll stop learning at the pace you once did. But, can you really expect to know everything about the world with only 13 years (high school) or 17 years (Bachelor’s degree) of study? The world is immense, and if you’re the tiniest bit curious about it all, this resolution might be for you.
You can determine to swap your TV dramas for documentaries. You could sign up for classes on a site like Skillshare or Lynda (some libraries will give you access to Lynda for free with a library card). Or, you could choose to knock out a few books of classic literature this year.
No matter which resolution you choose, you’re choosing to better yourself. That’s an admirable step in and of itself. As you track your progress, you’ll start to notice small changes as you go. Write your thoughts in a journal or notebook so you’ll have a better idea of the kinds of resolutions to pick again next year. Pick a resolution, specify it, and get going.
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