Creative resolutions for the New Year
The new year is here, and you have probably been pondering on some things you would like to change about yourself, or your circumstances this year. Perhaps you want to eat healthier and lose weight. Or, you want to break a habit that is controlling your life. These goals are certainly worthwhile, but it’s often easy to let these resolutions fall by the wayside only a few weeks into the new year.
Instead of the usual resolutions, consider committing to some creative and out-of-the-box new year resolutions this year. With a unique resolution or two, you may be more likely to follow through with your goals.
Unique New Year Resolutions
Commit to performing one act of kindness each day. If you really want to be a better person this year, this resolution is perfect for accomplishing that goal. Doing something kind for someone costs little to nothing and reaps big rewards for you, and them. Bake some brownies for your neighbor, offer to pick up groceries for an overwhelmed friend, smile at a complete stranger, hold open a door for someone or let the car beside you merge in front of you. Performing one random act of kindness every day can change your life for the better.
Mentor a young person. January is National Mentoring Month, so reach out to local schools or civic organizations to see if they need volunteers. Mentoring young people shows them that someone cares about them, makes them feel as if they matter and teaches them that they are not alone in dealing with day-to-day challenges, according to MENTOR, an organization that maintains a national database of youth mentoring programs that connects volunteers to mentoring opportunities in their local communities. Research has shown that quality mentoring relationships have positive and powerful effects on young people in a variety of professional, personal and academic situations. Even if you don’t have any monumental advice to give a young person, just knowing you are there for her when she needs you can make a huge difference.
Live and let live. We all have our own ideas regarding how people should behave, but those differences are what make people unique. Imagine a world where every person lived and behaved in the same way. Pretty boring. This year, stop expecting people to conform to what you consider to be “the right way,” and accept them as they are or, if you can’t accept their behavior or lifestyle, then remove yourself from their lives. Remember that no one else signed up for your particular life agenda, so live and let live.
Make one or more new friends.It’s easy to let your relationships with friends go to the wayside when you have endless family and work obligations. But hanging out with existing friends or creating new friendships is good for you. You will feel happier and more fulfilled when you travel in larger circles, not to mention you will have a larger support group in times of need.
Call someone you love at least once a week, just to catch up with them. Whether it’s a close friend or family member, they want to hear from you. Make a commitment to connect more, and on a deeper level with those you love this year.
Fall in love again.Sure, you love each other, but let’s be honest. After years of being together the relationship feels flat, and you find yourself wondering whatever happened to that giddy, can’t wait to be with him, so-in-love feeling. Try to remember what it was about him that helped you fall in love with him and the things he did that caused you to feel those sparks in the first place. This is the same person that you chose to be with long ago, and chances are those qualities are still there, although they may be a bit dormant. You may just have to reawaken them. Showing more affection, being more playful and attentive, letting go of past hurts and resentment and making an effort to do new and fun things together are all ways to rekindle the sparks between the two of you.
Rebuild a relationship with an old friend. Your old friend from college, an old coworker or even an elementary school friend. As we age, we often forget about the people who meant so much to us in our earlier lives. Ask your family or friends if they know where they are now, or Facebook is a great place to reconnect with friends from years past. You certainly don’t have to be best friends, but it’s definitely worth your time to reach out and bring them back into your life.
Other ideas include: Make one new recipe every month; listen to music you ordinarily wouldn’t listen to, such as country music if you’re a classic rock fan or vice versa; read at least one book on a subject you’re interested in each month; try something you would never do normally such as rock climbing, indoor skydiving (if you’re really brave, actual skydiving), skiing or even something as simple as singing at a karaoke bar for the first time. WGW
