Year after year I hear the same thing, "New year, new me!" But how many people actually achieve their New Year's resolution? Not many from what I've seen. So, what goes wrong? From what I've seen it's a mix of making a lofty goal and a lack of motivation. For the past twenty years of my life, I have fallen into this category of people, those who start off the new year with a goal and ditch it by the end of the month. 2018 was different, I decided it would be on the night of December 31, 2017. I decided I would make a goal, not about losing weight or working on my body image, but about my life. I decided my new year's resolution of 2018 would be "to try new things." How did I succeed, when I failed every other year? Well, I followed a few key steps.
I made my goal something obtainable
Start small, like drinking one less cup of coffee each day.
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Instead of deliciously imaging I was going to lose five pounds by the end of the year, I chose something I could really do each and every day. Like last year's motto of trying new things, or this year's attempt at keeping a dream journal (yes like Max in The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl).
Changing one thing each day instead of everything all at once
Choosing which way to go can be tough.
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In years past I completely did a 180 on January first only to go back to my old ways by the end of the month. Instead, I chose to try one new thing a day, whether that be a new food or saying yes to a plan I wouldn't normally go along with.
Tell others about your goal
By having to hold you accountable can really help you achieve your goals!
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By letting other people know what your goal is, they can help hold you accountable for your actions throughout the year. I told my mom about my New Year's resolution, and she helped encourage me to try something I wouldn't normally interact with. Whether that be escargot on a cruise or questionable looking casserole she helped me through some things I wouldn't normally have tried.
Take some risks (within reason of course)
Not all of us can go rock climbing, but taking risks can be a good thing!
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2018 was full of ups and downs and opportunities previously unavailable to me. I was able to study abroad, write a book, and even go on a blind date with a guy who ended up eating horses! While these were amazing, challenging, and downright unpleasant, they helped shape my 2018 into a year unlike any other.
