It’s the new year, which means a new you, right? Well, not exactly. It’s hard to throw away the “old” you as soon as Time Square drops the New Year's Eve ball and the clock strikes 12. In fact, most of us wake up hung over at 3 p.m., missing half of the first day of the year almost every year. Let’s face it: our New Year's Eve festivities aren’t necessarily conducive to new and fresh starts — but it’s all going to be OK as long as we stay realistic about the resolutions we make. The spirit of the New Year will always bring about nostalgia for our pasts and goals for our futures, but these aspirations are often disguises for preplanned disappointments that repeat themselves year after year. To help you out, I’ve prepared a list of resolutions to stay away from and some alternative, more realistic goals to consider!
The Unrealistic, Cliché Ones
1. New Year, New Me: This resolution is a cop-out on what the new year is all about! We all know that we cannot completely abandon ourselves for a new identity. Whether or not some personal changes are necessary to make, trying to be somebody you’re not will almost always lead you to feel more insecure than you do about yourself right now. Steer clear of trying to get rid of who you are in such a broad sense and try focusing on some specific aspects of yourself that you’d like to improve. Be kind and forgiving to your “old” self as much as your are planning on welcoming in the "new" you!
2. Exercise every day, all day: Maybe it’s just me, but this one seems to make my list every year and I always fall flat on it. It’s important to stay realistic about what your body can handle so as not to lead yourself down a path of self-criticism. If you don’t work out, then don’t jump into doing so everyday right away— you’ll burn yourself out! Instead, try working out a few days a week and add/subtract according to your personal needs and not any ridiculous bodily standards that you don’t even need to meet. If you do work out, maybe attempt something new — yoga and meditation, cycling, or dancing? You don’t necessarily need to work out more if you are comfortable with your routine, simply be open to testing out new activities.
3.Eat healthy — no more junk food — ever! I’m sure we all know that this one is a no-go. If your body is used to a certain diet, it’s not wise to go cold-turkey on it — again, you will burn yourself out. Be realistic about what kind of diet is best for you based on your work schedule and exercise routine. Ordering a case of detox juices isn’t going to solve your problems, and neither is eliminating your daily intake of chocolate! It’s okay to indulge, so make sure to set a goal that is sensitive to this fact of nature and to your body as it adjusts. Start writing down what you eat so you can have a better idea of what you’d like to change instead of immediately ditching all the goods that you love.
4. Absolutely no more negativity or stress: Honestly, this is a great goal but it could use a little tweaking. If we expect a stress-free year, then every time we feel stressed out or down, we are bound to feel even more so for falling back on the promise. It’s important to stay optimistic, but cut yourself some slack and give yourself room to breathe. Just because it is a new year does not mean that your slate of problems and stresses is completely wiped clean!
Some Realistic Ones
1. Show gratitude for the ones you love: This resolution is so easy and so important. Oftentimes we forget to tell the people we love that we love them. Find a way to show appreciation for the people that have your back — write a letter or make a phone call! Even if you send a text, which takes all of two seconds, the person on the other end will feel the love; there is never any shame or disappointment in showing some gratitude!
2. Read! If you aren’t big on reading, I highly suggest trying to get at least a few pages in a week. It could be a book of your choice or the front page of the New York Times every other morning. It doesn’t matter what you read — it will be a great way for you to put down your phone for a minute, relax, and learn something outside the walls of the classroom.
3. Get some more sleep: Try to get those eight hours in at least a few times a week. The earlier you put your electronics away, the earlier you will be able to fall asleep. Allowing your body to rest more than it usually does will work wonders for your mental state.
4. Treat Yo Self. Sometimes it is OK to be selfish. Make time for yourself this year to do little (or big) activities that will make you happy — and it doesn't have to cost you a thing. Work on showing appreciation for yourself as much as you work on showing gratitude for others!
There seems to be a lot of hype and pressure to “change” upon the arrival of the new year. Although the spirit of the holiday can inspire us to finally accomplish those goals that we’ve always wanted to tackle, it can also lead us to set unrealistic expectations for ourselves. By February, when our realistic goals shed themselves into the unrealistic resolutions they might have always been, we feel ashamed about another year wasted. But it doesn't have to be that way if we remember not to set the bar too high — be kind to yourself and others, open up your mind to new opportunities, and avoid those insane, unrealistic clichés!
