Achieving Your New Year's Resolution this Year
Written By: Leah Oake
Thumbnail and Banner Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Happy New Year! Every year, countless people around the world challenge themselves with ‘New Year's resolutions.’ These resolutions often take the form of ideas for self-improvement. Resolutions are frequently laughed at, with the because the general consensus is that resolutions won’t getare not completed. For example, gyms see an influx of new members in January, but as the year progresses, those new applicants come in less and less. Adapting to an entirely new way of life is a challenging feat, not as glamorous or straightforward as it appears. I myself have pretended to commit to resolutions and, slowly, gaveiven them up. My question is: why? Why, as a society, do we put so much pressure on resolutions and with that, why don't we have more success stories? Obviously, some lucky few make their resolutions a reality, but what about the rest of us? What about those folks who let their gym membership cards go dusty? What about those folks who planned to eat healthy but are on their fifth container of mouldy strawberries? My goal is to provide easy, accessible ways to achieve these general resolutions. They will still require some work and motivation, but, most importantly, they will promote a stress-free lifestyle without feeling imprisoned by societal expectations.
Resolution 1: Health (Working Out, Eating Healthy)
When I see people select this resolution, the wording often implies a challenging, egregious, and time-consuming effort. Working out can be all of those things, but those are not its sole characteristics. I’ve seen wording like “Workout Every Day,” “Get Skinny,” or even “Get Fit.” These third- and second-wordings imply that there is an idealized form to achieve, which is the first mistake in constructing a resolution. When setting your mind on something, focus on why you want to do it. That answer may uncover an underlying idea you may have about yourself (that’s for therapy to unpack, not me). So, once you decide on your ‘why’, it should be easier to follow the steps below. For working out specifically, start by selecting which days and times work best for you. Keep it consistent. In addition, make sure you don't choose days that don't fit your schedule. Working out every day is not realistic or, at times, healthy.
You do not need to go to a gym to work out. If you do not want to jump the gun and buy a membership, figure out how you can establish a healthy home workout schedule first. Whether that be in your living room, bedroom, bathroom, or even outside, find a consistent place where you can work out. Working out does not equate to machines! Construct a workout routine that works for you, and then increase or intensify it as you progress on your journey. For example, go for a walk or run at least once a day, do 3 reps of 25 squats, walk up and down the stairs 4 times, and hold a plank for 2 minutes. This is a generally easy and achievable workout schedule. Ensure you can modify your schedule and that you look forward to doing so, not dread it. You can increase longevity by cultivating a positive mindset.
Working out is an achievable goal. But aside from the actual action of doing so, surround it with drinking a realistic amount of water a day and by constructing a fueling diet. A diet does not have to be tasteless and boring. Plan your meals a week in advance so you have time to prepare. Try to hit all the food groups each day (protein, greens, grains, dairy) and switch the main elements from day to day. For example, if on Monday you have chicken for supper, on Tuesday have a pasta dish. Make your diet colourful and fun! Worry less about calories and fat and more about how certain foods make you feel.
Resolution 2: Finances (Making more money, budgeting, saving)
Making a resolution concerning finances is not as easy to achieve as one about your lifestyle. This is because your finances are not solely in your control. Making more money is not easy to do. Oftentimes, tThe only ways this can be achievable are to get a promotion, get another job, or create a side hustle. These things are difficult to accomplish. Making more money is not a realistic way to think because you can only make more money if the systems set up around you help with that, and that is not a guarantee.
Budgeting and saving are more accessible for you to control. It is easy in theory, but may not be reasonable depending on a person's financial situation. Budgeting and saving go hand in hand. In order to budget, you have to save. Saving, again, is not always reasonable.
If you are thinking about finances in terms of your own resolution, think about your current position financially. Are you putting too much pressure on yourself for things you can't control? How much control do you really have over your finances? And, how much wiggle room do you have with that? Consider these questions in relation to your life, and depending on your answer, the pathway to achieving this goal will become clear.
Resolution 3: Personal Growth (Stress, Happiness, Time)
Being happier is a general societal goal that everyone wants to achieve. Reducing stress, increasing happiness, and creating more time for loved ones is a joint effort. All of this comes from the same area in your life: positivity. I don't mean simply mentally choosing to be happy; I mean being conscious of the external forces that impact your life. This means thinking about the people you surround yourself with. Are there certain people in your life who no longer serve you mentally? To achieve true personal growth, you have to weed out people in your life who compromise your self-esteem. This does not have to be an aggressive act whatsoever; just consciously make choices for your own happiness, and those people will slowly fade out. In addition, think about aspects of your life that negatively affect you that are changeable. Think about any habits or minor health issues you have that can be fixed with some effort on your end. This can also encompass substance-related issues. Think about ways you can modify your everyday activities and responsibilities that can make them easier for you. Once you spend a significant amount of time and energy cutting out aspects of your life that do not serve you well, you will gain more happiness, reduce your stress, and, in turn, have more time to do the things you love.
New Year's resolutions are a cultural phenomenon that is glamorized but not always investigated in depth. You have the power to accomplish any goals you want, but being aware of how to achieve them and why you want them can make those goals more attainable. Encourage yourself to pursue your aspirations without adding extra stress. Enjoy the journey of growth instead of dreading it.