We've all done it. We start the new year with our resolutions fresh in our mind and with the certainty that this year they will work. But before we know it, March is here and gone and we realize we've already forgot about our resolutions. It can be really hard to keep something new up for a whole year. That's why the first thing we have to do when trying to accomplish our resolutions is to set a smaller time line. Start by just focusing on January and then go month to month after that. It will make your resolutions less daunting and more realistic. There are many other little things we can do that will help our New Year's resolutions become a success. Here are the 10 most commonly failed New Year's Resolutions and how you can make them stick this time around.
1. Lose weight or Get fit
The most common thing that people want to change at the new year is their physical appearance. Typically, that means losing weight or getting fit. First of all, it's important to remember that losing weight is a process and trying to start that process during the holiday season is a true challenge. So cut yourself a little bit of slack and don't give up if you haven't seen much change by February. Moreover, losing weight feels nearly impossible for some people and it seems like nothing will work. So instead of focusing on what you want to lose, try and focusing on a few things you can gain. One of the most important thing you should try to gain first is love and confidence in your body. It's OK to want to lose weight, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't still love your body. The more you love your figure, then the more you will want to take care of it. Having confidence in your body will also make losing weight easier because it will give you more positive energy. If you're constantly thinking about what you don't like about your weight, then the negativity will weigh on you more than any of the holiday cookies or treats you've been sneaking. So focusing on getting comfortable with your body first and it is more likely that you will have the energy and determination to make it better in any way you can.
2. Quit Smoking
Trying to quit smoking is another very commonly failed New Year's resolution and like trying to lose weight, it can feel impossible. The first thing anyone who's trying to quit smoking should do is talk to their doctor. Your doctor will be able to give you the best advice on how you should go about quitting smoking because there are so many different ways. Second, you should find someone in your life who you completely trust and who you don't like to disappoint. Ask this person to call you as often as you feel you need and have them check up on you. It may get annoying, but that's kind of the point. No one wants to disappoint someone they love and just about everything is easier when you do it as a team. Finally, see if there is a pattern to your smoking and then you will find a way to break it. For many people, smoking is a relief from stress. So not smoking can make them feel even more stressed and overwhelmed. So when you're looking into different methods of quitting smoking, also look into different stress relieving techniques. It's easier to quit bad habits if you find something you can physical do to replace it.
3. Learn Something New
The biggest problem with resolutions like this are that they are too vague. In order to make a goal work, you should try to make it as specific as you can. If you're resolution is too broad, it can be harder to track and therefore, harder to reach. So if your goal is to learn something new, pick something that's more specific such as learning a new language, a new instrument, or a new hobby like knitting. If you're trying to learn a new language, then start by going slow. Learning to speak a different language is so difficult because you aren't completely immersed in it, so it's easier to forget what you learned the day before. So make your goal to learn a different tense every month and ten new vocabulary words every week. Really take your time with it instead of trying to rush yourself. Once you get going, you can speed up your process and try finding social situations where you can immerse yourself in the language for at least a few hours or so. Moreover, if it's something like learning an instrument, just try learning different parts of the instrument every few weeks. Learning to speak a new language or playing an instrument is so hard because it takes so much time. The same can be said with trying to learn new hobbies, such as knitting. So before anything else, don't make a resolution that you simply don't have the time to keep. Start slow and determined and you will find time in your schedule for your goals.
4. Eat Healthier and Diet
Eating healthier or dieting usually goes along with people's resolution to lose weight and it should. One of the easiest ways to get fit and watch your weight is to pay attention to what your eating. Some people have a hard time eating healthier because they simply don't know how to do that. So before you start your next diet, look into a nutrition book or if you have the time, even a nutrition class. Knowledge is power and the more healthy meals you know about, the easier it is to make them. Next, you should seriously pay attention to what you're drinking. Try to cut out soda or other energy drinks completely and you will be surprised at the difference it makes. Another way to make this goal easier is to plan ahead. Figure out what dinners you want to make that week before you go grocery shopping and only let yourself buy these items. Making a list before you shop will also make this much easier. Finally, allow yourself a few cheats days every week. Personally, I find it easier to go day by day. So start by having a good breakfast, like eggs or toast with some fruit. And if your someone who's in a constant rush in the morning, find meals you can make the night before like fruit smoothies or some healthy muffins. Then have a lighter lunch, like a sandwich or salad and hold off for a more filling dinner. Meal prepping is also a very helpful way to eat healthier, so give that a try and see what works for you. And if your like me, your cheat meal can be your afternoon snack or evening dessert. And since you accomplished eating healthy the rest of the day, it's like a little reward. And I think we can all agree that anything is easier when there's a reward at the end.
5. Spend More Time with Family
Since everyone is so busy these days, it can be hard to fit family get togethers into our calender's. But this is another goal that can be made much easier if we make it more specific. Instead of trying to physically get together, start by trying to call each other more often. Make it a goal to call a different family member each week and you will feel the closeness that comes with spending time together without having to squeeze time into your hectic schedule. Moreover, if it's your immediate family you are trying to spend more time with, then set a goal of eating dinner together once every week or two. We all have to leave some time in our days to eat, so let's also save that time for each other. There's nothing better than a good meal or sharing that food with those that you love.
6. Travel to New Places
Traveling is also a very common goal for people and it's biggest obstacle is usually a financial problem. Traveling is both expensive and time consuming. So it can be really hard to fit it into your budget and your schedule. One way to make this easier is to set your sights on somewhere closer to home. When talking about traveling, most people automatically assume they need to go somewhere far and exotic. However, there are so many beautiful small towns all over the country that tend to get missed. So start by setting aside a Sunday or two every month and explore the historic towns in your area. Every state has them, so take your time finding them. And if international travels is still your main goal, you can make it easier on yourself by starting an account specifically for saving for that trip. But a little bit of every pay check into that account and it will add up quicker than you think. Make it specific and take your time. Keep your trip close in your mind by learning about the language and culture of the place you hope to visit before you go. It will make the time up to the trip more exciting and your time during the trip more rewarding.
7. Be Less Stressed
Everyone wants to be less stressed. No one really likes having anxiety and worry all the time, right?? We all know less stress is a good thing. What we don't know is how to go about it. One easy way to make your life less stressful is to make more time for the things that keep you sane. For me, reading a good book always keeps me in a better mood. So I simply try to find twenty or thirty minutes every night to devote to my current book. Another easy way to make your life a little happier is to write down one good thing from your day every night. There have been so many studies and statistics proving the positive psychological affects that writing in a journal can have on someone's mental health. And yet, we still don't do it and typically, it's because we all think we don't have the time. So we have to learn to multi task. Music is one easy way to make your life less stressful. Make a playlist of all your favorite happy songs and listen to it every morning when you're getting ready for your day or when you're driving to work. It's a positive start to your day and it is guaranteed to make your smile. Or you could look into some aroma therapy candles or body washes. You could light the candle whenever you're doing work in order to give you a little comfort. And the body wash will make your me time in the shower even more relaxing than it already is.
8. Save Money
Finally, another commonly failed resolution is to save money. We all wish we had a little more change in the bank, but it's saving money is still a very difficult task for most. One simple and easy solution for spending money is to watch how much you eat out. Set a goal of only eating out two or three times a week and you will be surprised at how much money you start saving. Another easy way to save money is to watch what your spending it on. If most of your money is going towards clothes or other guilty pleasures, then start making yourself compromise. Only let yourself go shopping once a month instead of every other week. And if you do spend money on a guilty pleasure, try working a few extra shifts to earn that money back before you buy any other unnecessary things. Keep a reminder of what you are saving this money for and that will also give you a clear reward you can focusing on instead of the little things your missing in the mean time. Like all the other commonly failed resolutions, saving money can be easier if you take your time and a more positive perspective. Keep your resolutions as a priority in your mind, set small and realistic goals, and always remember to cut yourself some slack and you are sure to make this year your best year yet!
