I've never really been one for "resolutions". And since you're reading MY blog, you get to hear MY opinion about them.
I know it's a tradition that many people take part in, and the idea of starting a new year off by bettering ourselves is something that we should all actually do. However, many of us don't actually stop to reflect on the last year and how we would like to "change" in the new year. Losing weight/eating healthy (or some variant of that) is the most popular resolution...but think about it, we have just finished the Thanksgiving/Christmas season where most of us eat all sorts of "holiday sweets and treats", we have gained weight eating "just one more" of those cookies, candies, pastries, and following family traditions of stuffing ourselves silly with meals. If the New Year would somehow fall in the middle of summer, would the majority of these resolutions be different? Just a thought.
By definition the word "resolution", when applied to this case means: " a person makes a promise to do an act of self-improvement or something slightly nice, such as opening doors for people beginning from New Year's Day."
Another reason I don't like using the word "resolution", ...it means promise. I don't like not keeping my promises..especially to myself. How many people do you see making the same resolutions as they did last year? People want to instantly fix themselves and make drastic new years resolutions- and, ultimately, don't follow through with them because the change is too much for their (already busy) lives. When you make a vague resolution, honestly, you will probably fail.
Here's an example:
Someone who says "I'm going on a diet and going to workout" all too often means, "I'm going to change my daily diet without looking up a real meal plan, be hungry all the time, and buy a gym membership to use for two weeks before it becomes too much of a burden and takes up too much of my free time." You've taken on too much all at once.
Or... the "No more soda" or "No more sweets" resolution:
What really happens: I'm not going to drink soda any more! --I will do great for about a month and a half then..I forgot my drink at home and all we have here is soda. Oh well, I'll have one. A month later..well, I'm back on soda. Yay Caffiene!!
"NO more sweets"- That probably isn't going to work either unless you have developed diabetes or have a health problem that would prevent you from consuming a bunch of sugar. What KIND of sweets are you giving up? There is sugar in nearly everything, unfortunately.
" I'm going to be a better parent"-- This should NEVER be a new years resolution..you should be working daily to be the best parent you can be..if it takes a new year to make you realize that you aren't doing your part..I'm sorry, but that's sad.
Make your resolutions specific- you will be much more likely to stick to them!
"This year, I want to limit myself to 2 dessert items a week" vs. "I want to stop eating sweets"
"This year, I want to limit myself to one soda a day, if I want it." vs. "No more soda!"
OR even, "This year, for every soda I drink, I will drink a glass of water" Something like that... (I have been fortunate enough to not like soda, so I'm not really an expert on the soda addiction thing..sorry!)
"This year, I want to save $1000" vs. "I'm going to start saving money!"
"This year, I would like to lose 20lbs" vs. "I'm going to eat healthy and lose weight!"
"This year, I am going to allow myself one hour a day of phone/computer/electronic time" vs. "I'm going to spend less time on my phone"
"This year, I'm going to do 15 of the Pinterest pins that I have.."
"This year, I'm going to ask myself "Do I (they, we, whatever) need it" before I buy it" vs. "I'm going to buy less stuff this year"
Be specific.
Be realistic.
You are to You.
Only You can better You.
You are worth it to change yourself for the better, whatever it is that you are wanting to change.
Now: My 2016 Goals:
1. Finish the Italian language-learning program that I started last year
2. Cook 40 new recipes this year- I'd like to expand my recipe book :)
3. I am going to master NY new seeing machine! Some goals I have with that are to recycle our old t-shirts and make them into quilts. Also, to fix all of the items in our "mending pile".
4. I am going to run a 10k for sure. (I would like to run another half marathon, but I'm not expecting to)
5. I am going to limit my sugar intake by being aware of how much I am actually taking in.
6. Visit at least 30 places I have never been. (Be that countries, states, or just a restaurant that I've never been to)
7. Visit my mother at least twice this year
8. I am going to leave 10 weekends open (purposely not make plans) to spend time doing nothing or something with my husband and/or family
9. We will make our home readily available to host friends and family for meals, get togethers, and parties this year
10. Attend a random festival, somewhere
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