Are You Making New Year’s Resolutions?

Book in the bag should be a commandment

Shruthi
http://nyambura.co

Maybe this is obvious or you’ve already tried, but do you get regular manicures? With polish always on your nails, maybe it would be easier? (Although, maybe not for the next 4 years…)

I’ve read every single comment over the past day or two because I find this so interesting! I’ve been getting into new year’s resolutions more and more over the past few years, but I think of them as goals focusing on building/maintaining good habits rather than changes that will result in a “new me.” One thing that really helps me stick to my goals is monthly challenges. So for example: if I want to focus on strength or fitness I’ll set myself a goal of exercising every day for an entire month–whether it’s a long run, a YouTube workout, 15 or 20 minutes of Pilates, or even just a 30 minute walk during my lunch hour. I don’t focus on weight loss because my goal is be healthy and strong, and so I don’t get obsessed with checking the scale. All I have to do is check it off my calendar. I usually do a few small challenges a month (examples: daily journal writing, reading a poem a day, only eating food I cook all month, reading, flossing before bed, no sugar, etc.), and somehow the fact that these are challenges transforms them from ordinary items on a to do list to tasks that aren’t optional–they’re musts. I don’t want to say “no” to them because I feel like I can’t! At the end of the month it’s nice to give myself a break, but by then the habit has worn a groove and it’s easy to keep it up. Maybe not every day, but often enough. Does anyone else do monthly challenges? I think you could do almost anything daily for a month!

1. Read more “current” authors (aka something besides old mansplainy scifi (I love it)) .
2. Run 10k without stopping or dying.
3. Be more conscious about how I spend my money.

I restarted my nail-biting on election night, too! Woof…

This year I’m going to make a point to give my love, appreciation, gratitude freely and without reservation.

And I hope to write more about the books I read. :)

I’m starting a new “101 in 1001” aka 101 things to accomplish in 1001 days, which is around 2.75 years. November was the end of my last one, and it was amazing to see how many things I did during that time. There were big things accomplished (bought a house) and lots of awesome small things (tried 10 new recipes, watched a sunrise, met 5 new friends).

I first heard about it through the Design Darling blog:
http://www.mackenziehoran.com/?s=101+in+1001

Love the tip to always carry a book in your bag. I try to do this as often as I can because it’s true, it’s much more enjoyable/a better use of my time to read during moments of waiting (or on my commute, etc.) that scrolling through social media. Plus I feel much more relaxed.
http://www.wonderlandsam.com

My big one this year is to spend less and do more… that means no more mindless shopping or spending on Amazon because it’s easy and cheap, more DIYing, more active time with family, more reading, more giving back to the community. I love to change things in my home so this will push me to be much more creative than I was in 2016. I am looking forward to it!

Two simple resolutions:
1. Don’t be afraid of money. Understand my personal finances, investments vs savings.
2. Don’t be afraid to ask for what I want – more time, more money, help, etc.

I’ve always wanted to open a bookstore, so my goal for 2017 is to interview a bookstore owner or shopkeeper once a week! Fingers crossed I stick to this one!

I’m also a nail-biter who has had trouble kicking the habit! In the last year or so, I’ve been able to stop a few times, but I always start back up again at times when I’m feeling particularly anxious (election night was one for me, too). I found the most helpful thing is knowing that I *can* do it, and having some reason to encourage myself not to–for example, I have a friend who is really into indie nail polishes, and so I’ve discovered that I actually like painting my nails and since they look even better when they’re a bit longer, that can be good incentive (also that once they’re painted, I don’t want to ruin them).

Now when I slip up, though, I just let it be and start growing them again when the anxious episode has passed…life is long, and there are much more detrimental habits when it comes to dealing with anxiety then nail-biting!

Thanks for introducing me to Dolly Alderton! What a great list.

Mine for this year:
1) Begin to learn some Arabic – because I recently visited Iraq and learned some basics; I have a feeling it’s going to become increasingly useful in times to come.
2) Be a better vegetarian – I have become a flexatarian of late, and I really do want to give up altogether.

Wishing you a happy, successful, calm and motivated new year :) xo

To live my most authentic self, whatever that entails.

Oh, I love the one about sending your friends flowers to celebrate even the smallest of achievements! So sweet. :)

I’m going to put true effort into loving myself more. I’ve been pushing and trying to be the ultimate version of myself for years, but this always seems to get lost. And as my idol Ru Paul says, “If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else (can I get an amen?)” ;)

I’ve also found the Nike training club app to be helpful for working out, so hopefully that will stick this year too. Oh and one more! Cultivate new and old friendships with girlfriends in really fun ways. So far we’ve planned: spa night hangs, rock climbing, self-defense classes, and at least one somewhat tropical vacation.

I have one resolution this year and its not to have any resolutions. I dont want to disappoint myself, but rather celebrate who i am. Good or bad, they’re all parts of me, so I’ll just do the best i can and be the best person i can be. Happy New Year!

I hate the term resolution so instead set yearly goals, the term sounds much less intense and more manageable!
My goals for this year include:
Do some sort of regular exercise.
Try not to snack too much, reduce my sugar intake and pick healthy options when I am able to.
Put myself out there more – go to parties where I only know 1 person, do a fitness class (thinking ice skating at the moment!), say yes to more events while also being aware of my limits.
Get a deeper understanding of my mental illness (anxiety) and mental health – read up on new treatments, find new ways to unwind and look into triggers and how they came about.
Enjoy the little things in life more – the smell of rain, the cuddles with my cat, the first bite of a freshly baked good…
Looking forward to seeing what 2017 brings my way!

I’m not a resolution maker or keeper, but a thought to consider might be phrasing your resolutions differently. Rather than “Stop biting my nails.” you could say, “Take better, regular care of my hands.” Something along that line…

Anyway, I do try to do a word of the year. My 2016 word was Content… This year my word is Kind. My tendency is toward sharp, biting humor and sarcastic commentary, which is often, unfortunately, at the expense of others. I’ve decided that this year kindness is what my family, my community, or my world needs. All the best to you, Joanna and team.

yes to navy! I have almost no black left in my wardrobe!

LOVE the idea of podcasts/walking because I hate the gym with a passion. I would rather be pudgy than go to the gym.

I find that my resolutions have to incubate for a while before I can actually commit – and that can happen any time in the year. So I currently don’t have a resolution! But I think one is brewing.

1). To listen.
More carefully, thoughtfully, and actively. It’s weird because my hearing is super amazing, and I notice every sound, but words are so plentiful I don’t give all of them the focus and time I should. And I think listening is the first part of the journey to understanding, which we’re going to need more of in 2017.

2). To build a world record tipping, gleeful hop inducing, train track with my boys.

3). To dance every single day with my husband (and kids if they’re about). We used to do this, we need to do it again. It brings smiles.

I’m excited about the new year, and I am so thankful for the blessings I experienced during 2016. So what’s with the bleak picture?
New Year’s Resolution: drink less Diet Coke, more water. But it’s so delicious!

those are SERIOUSLY clever resolutions! really love them. totally with you on treating my nails with slightly more respect lol. not quite there yet… i also just wrote a blog post on anxiety and how women describe their anxiety and also how they cope with it ‘in six words or less’ – i found the the ideas really inspiring and care/compassion-oriented. i think id like to turn some of those thoughts into a new years resolution or two. here’s the list that came out of it:

Asking for help. Intense workouts. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Deep breaths. Medication. Exercise. Bath. Running. Sun. Me time. Cut tasks from to-do list. Massage. Healthy relationships. Chocolate. Hugs. Babysitting. Good cry. Take a drive, blast music, sing. Family. Nature walks. Creating things. Healthy relationships. Boundaries. Delegate. Regular sleep. Prayer. This too shall pass. Talking out where it’s coming from. Meditation. Good therapy. Refuse to avoid anxiety – jump in. Swimming. Bowl of ice cream. Breathing. Supportive people. Yoga. Manicure. Whole foods. Alone time. Adding meaning to my life. Slow breathing. Shower. Talking. Cleaning help. Walking. Schedule. Saying no. Nap time.