Making New Year's resolutions (and sticking to them)

As we begin the countdown to close out the year of 2023 and bring in 2024, talk of resolutions always becomes popular. How can we better ourselves? What big life changes can I make? What old habits can I cut out completely? However, when it comes to resolutions, it's not about making the grandest ones that make your life take a 180 in six months (though, that would be nice). It's about consistency through small and realistic goals.

When you're looking to make resolutions this New Year, focus on goals that excite you without overwhelming yourself. Making goals that are TOO big and overwhelming, especially if you're someone who gives up easily, can be discouraging and you risk burning yourself out before the year is even halfway over.

If you're looking for some guidance, here is some examples of impactful AND achievable goals:

**NOTE: these are just examples and can be adjusted to fit your own lifestyle, but they're mainly just meant to inspire and guide you.

Want to focus on physical health?

• Set a goal to work out or move your body in some way just twice a week (yoga, stretching, Pilates, 30-minute walk, etc.)

• Drink 32 oz. of water a day (That's roughly the amount of one large soda. Easy.)

• Slowly cutting down fast food intake (7 times a week --> 3 times a week --> 5 times a month --> 2 times a month). Cutting it out completely isn't always fun, you need to enjoy things in life. It's just about moderation.

Want to focus on mental health?

• Look in the mirror every day and say one nice thing to yourself.

• At the end of each day, write down one thing you're grateful for, no matter how small it seems (ex: you heard a song that made you dance, someone said "hi" to you, you ate your favorite snack). Each day when you write it down, stick the paper in a jar so at the end of the year you can read all of the reasons why life is worth living.

Want to expand your mind?

• Read one book a month (That's only 12 books).

• Learn a new language (One Duolingo session takes no more than 5 minutes a day).

• Pick one subject to learn a new fact on for a month.

Want to save money?

• Put $20 in a jar each paycheck (That nearly $500 a year). Can't do every paycheck? Do $20 a month (That's $240).

You don't have to make the most profound and revolutionary resolutions in order to have a successful year. It just has to feel profound to you. It just has to inspire you. You just have to make a goal that feels achievable and meaningful to you, and you have the willpower to stay consistent because that's where true success lies, in not giving up.

Every day is a new day but let this New Year be the inspiration to start choosing life. To start choosing yourself. May 2024 bring all of the love and happiness we need to feel fulfilled. Happy New Years, dear readers.