New Year resolutions can be refreshing to some, but a struggle for most. We go in to the new year with hopes that our resolutions will last us through the entire year. It isn't until the first or second week of January that the challenges of keeping these resolutions in tact hit us and we feel compelled to slip into our old habits. Perhaps the fault isn't in our resolutions, but the high expectations we bring with them. It's difficult attempting to eliminate something completely from your life rather than to set limits to reach your goals. In other words, you allow yourself to occasionally cheat with your resolutions.

The most common new year's resolutions are typically to get fit, eat healthier, travel, etc. We know we say that we can make it all happen now, but realistically life gets in the way and we can't be one hundred percent with fulfilling our resolutions. However resolutions don't have to be a pain to deal with if you place limits. If exercising is one of your resolutions, I suggest setting a goal of two to three times a week instead of every day. Maybe the every day routine simply works on your free days, but a few times a week can allow yourself to spend time accomplishing other things. Another common resolution is to eat better. Now, if you're anything like me, I can't go on with life without the occasional junk food and/or chocolate. Instead of sticking to a brutal diet of lettuce and water, allow yourself to eat a short amount of non-healthy foods a week. I can guarantee you'll still be alright if you eat that slice of pizza...or four. Lastly, traveling is another notorious resolution that some would like to invest in. This resolution doesn't necessarily mean having to see the whole world within the span of a year, however it could be traveling to minor destinations. Perhaps it would be a good time to do that road trip with your friends that you've been talking about or simply travel somewhere that you've never been.

The choice to keep up with your resolutions can only be decided by yourself and it will take some sense of self-discipline. It's important to not be too difficult on yourself and create these over the top expectations. After all the goal is simply to better yourself in some type of way even if it does involve creating limits. Everyone's resolutions should consist of being happy in the new year. A mindset of being open to new possibilities and growth will reward you not only throughout the year, but in the future new years.