With the end of 2016 fast approaching, it feels as though we’re all breathing a collective sigh of relief. This year took Snape and Willy Wonka from us and gave us everyone’s least-favorite-but-tolerable snack food as the new leader of the Free World. Our timelines have been inundated with memes, and some phones began to spontaneously combust in user’s pockets. We’re all crossing our fingers that 2017 will be, well, just better.
With under a week standing between us and inevitably disappointing New Year’s Eve celebrations, it’s best to start brainstorming your New Year’s Resolutions. Will it be the classic “lose ten ponds” sentiment? Or volunteer more? Or drink less? Or swear less? Or call your mother more? There’s a slew of resolutions to choose from, but whichever one fits your fancy, it’s time to get the ball rolling, because the clock is ticking down and the ball is dropping faster than we think.
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With the sins of the past fifty-one weeks behind you, take these next seven days to prepare yourself for the New Year. I love beginnings; the way they feel and sound is healing to me. I know that this next week, I won’t spend my days lazing about. Over the past years, I’ve found ways to motivate myself I’m taking this next seven days as an opportunity to get a head start on the resolutions I’ve got in store:
1. Clean out your computer.
I guarantee you've got files festering in your downloads that serve no purpose and take up too much space. Give yourself an hour to go clear out all your poorly-written essays from freshman year and plot the infinite ways you can use up that room.
2. Get a new phone case (not necessarily a new phone).
For those of us balling on a budget, a new phone is a bit unrealistic. You can, however, spruce up your tech life with a new phone case at only a fraction of the cost.
3. Get a haircut.
Nothing in this world will make you feel fresher than getting a haircut. You'll walk out of the salon a new you, ready to face 2017 and all that it throws your way.
4. Clean out your car.
Those 904 half-empty plastic water bottles littering the floor in the backseat of your car might make a nice musical accompaniment to the new Weeknd album blaring from the AUX, but by just trudging out the car with a garbage bag and surrendering them to the trash gods, you'll boost your productivity and feel accomplished even before the clock strikes midnight.
5. Clean out your closet.
No, you do not need that sweatshirt from sophomore year of high school that's pilling and threadbare. Throw it away.
6. Download apps to organize your life.
Smartphones make our lives infinitely easier. Download apps like Mint, for tracking your spending, and MyFitnessPal, for tracking your exercise. Both will keep you on track in the New Year.
7. Make an inspirational playlist.
Music is the key to all things good and true. Make yourself you a playlist with all your favorite tunes and dance away the 2016 blues to prep for the big ball drop.
8. Start an exercise program.
There are so many programs out there, from Kayla Itsines's Bikini Body Guide and the Couch-to-5k app, that will help streamline your exercise resolution for the New Year. Don't go it alone; use the tried and true advice of professionals to start on your quest for physical greatness.
9. Apply for a job (if you don’t already have one).
There's no doubt I'm bad with money, but it only gets worse when I have no source of income. If you're like me, apply for a job now so you can cross the stress of remaking all the money you spent on Christmas gifts off of your to-do list.
10. Do your laundry.
Trust me; it's a minute detail, but just having a stack of clean clothes will rewire your brain for positivity and productivity.
11. Meditate.
Download a meditation podcast and give it a try. Your mind won't be completely clear the first time you do it, but just that one session will make a difference.
12. Buy (and use) a cookbook.
Don't just make the same food night after night and get so bored that you end up tossing it out and ordering a pizza instead. Buy a cookbook with the money you earn from returning a gift you hate and try out some recipes other than buttered pasta and baked chicken.
13. Clean out your email inbox.
Deep in the depths of your email inbox lies that message from a friend in seventh grade that you didn't forward and that's why you're still single. Take some time to go through and clear out the emails you don't need; it's cathartic.
14. Read a book.
Give your brain a rest from screens and pick up a good, old-fashioned book. So many good titles came out this year and it's the best way to waste time when you're on vacation.
15. Plan a trip.
Give yourself something to look forward to in the coming year. Plan a weekend trip with some friends and give yourself a little more motivation for the coming weeks!
