So it's day 2 of 2015...how many of you have already blown your New Year's resolutions.. or how many of you never made them, or even better how many of you just say "new year, new me" and hope that suffices as a resolution.Isn't it funny how on New Year's Eve you actually sit back and reflect on your life..you kind of sum up 365 days into a few words...it was either, good, bad, terrible, awesome, the best year so far, or one that you are ready to be done with. Regardless it was a year of your life that has gotten you to where you are now...
So EVERYONE loves the idea of New Year's resolutions...fresh start, time to kick a habit, to do something to better yourself, time for a clean slate.
I try and make resolutions every year that are beneficial to my physical health, mental health, and general well being...sometimes I follow through with these and sometimes I don't...however, for the first 3 months of the year I work my ass off to keep up with my resolutions.
I also don't like sharing my resolutions with the world; I would rather keep them private. I heard a fun psychological fact one time...when you set a goal or you challenge yourself to do something, you shouldn't tell anyone because you actually get some satisfaction from just publicizing the fact that you have set a goal. For example if you tell people you want to lose ten pounds, people already start saying "good for you, you can totally do that" you are already being cheered on and in your head you can do it, no problem. However, if you don't tell anyone you have to work extra hard until someone says, "hey you look really good, have you lost weight?" that feeling right there motivates you to keep working out!So after you cheers to a new year with a glass...or two...of champagne what did you want to be different about this year? Write it down, make a note, record your resolutions somewhere and check in on them every month...are you keeping up with them?
If you didn't make any resolutions this year either out of protest, laziness, or you forgot because you were too hung-over to even think...I have a few suggestions for you!1. Pursue a passion...most of us are sitting at desks, pretending to do work or refreshing Facebook for the 10th time today. What are we waiting for...if you aren't doing something you love then why are you doing it? Now I am not saying quit your job, we don't need you to be homeless in 2015, but what I am saying is start figuring out what your passion is and how you can work towards that. Don't continuing doing what you feel like you need to do and start doing what you want to do!
2. TRY being healthy...I know this sounds terrible, but it is easy. A little bit is better than nothing. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator, trying grabbing water instead of that coveted sweet tea, maybe only have 1 or 2 beers when going out with friends instead of the casual 5 or 6 (and definitely don't order a pizza at 2am because it sounds like a good idea after a night out at the bars)...these little changes aren't going to change your life dramatically but they are a step in the right direction.
3. Stay in touch with your long distance friends...those friends who you were besties in college with but live like five thousand miles away from you and therefor you never catch up with them. Try calling them once a month or shooting them a text to "check in" with them. These little interactions will mean so much to them and will remind you why you are friends with these great people in the first place.
4. Start living in the moment...all this really means is PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN. This is something I wish society as a whole would do..I am notorious for this too so don't think I am judging. How many of you can go an entire dinner without touching your phone, how many of you update Facebook or post something on Instagram everyday, are your Snapchat stories longer than 2 minutes...well just stop! Don't we do these things just so other people will know that our lives are exciting...guess what...who cares?! If you are too busy enjoying your life to post it to Facebook then aren't you the one winning in that situation? So enjoy being around the people you are with, enjoy the moment and experience your emotions, don't capture them just to look back at them, live them and then share your experience when you get together with your friends.
5. Let the past be the past...its happened, it's in the past, learn from it, be better, and move on.
6. Don't settle. There is no reason to do this ever. Go after what you want and don't let anything get in your way. Whether it be a guy your interested in, a promotion, a pair of jeans you REALLY want to fit in, a yoga pose you have been trying to master for the past few weeks, or a trip you want to take. Don't give up. You CAN do it and you WILL do it.
I wish I could universally give a glass of champagne to everyone who reads this and cheers you at the end of it because there is NOTHING more satisfying then clinking a glass of champagne with someone!
Go forth and be the best that you can be, 2015 is your year; don't let anyone else tell you otherwise!
#newyearnewme