January 1st is almost here, and as exciting as the big countdown can be (what girl doesn’t love champagne, sequins and a midnight kiss?), the morning after can leave you stressing over how to make the most of the year ahead. When coming up with New Year’s resolutions, many of us can be a little unrealistic, like aiming to hit the gym with the frequency of an athlete, finally finding true love or nailing our dream job. We write out a list, far-fetched and hopeful, stick it to our desk or bedroom mirror, and, let’s face it, forget all about it. If you’re nodding your head, and you too, are sick of this resolution rollercoaster, this year, try something different. Set your sights a little lower (but not too low”getting out of bed isn’t really an accomplishment.). Need some inspo? Check out the list of 10 easy-to-pull-off resolutions below, and bring in the New Year (and new you) with confidence:
1. Eat healthier
This doesn’t mean completely swearing off the sweet stuff (hey, that’s what cheat days are for), it’s about making an honest effort to pay more attention to what you put into your body. It’s not just about looking fit, if you eat better, you’ll feel better . . . it’s as simple as that.
2. De-clutter your space
Tackle your disorganized closet, clear off your messy desk or re-organize your cosmetic collection. Give unwanted things to goodwill, toss expired products into the blue bin and vow to keep a tidier space. You’ll find that keeping things neat will not only look great, but will help clear your head of any clutter too.
3. Save for a vacation/rainy day
We all need something to look forward to. The daily grind can seem endless if we don’t have something exciting on the horizon. Start saving now, even if you don’t have a vacay planned, so that down the road when you feel the urge to hop a flight to the tropics, you’ll be able to.
4. Be nicer
It’s a simple truth that upping your nice factor can help life run a little more smoothly. Think about it, if you’re a friendly person, you’ll attract friendlier, happier people to you.
5. Use sunscreen (every single day)
It may be tedious, but slathering on the SPF is something that should be done every morning, no matter the weather or how long you’ll be outside. This small, skin cancer and wrinkle-fighting step will pay off big time later on.
6. Don’t forget to floss
Take it from the daughter of a dentist, you don’t want to skip this one. Taking proper care of your pearly whites is just as important to your health as getting a good night’s rest. So reach for the floss in the PM and keep plaque and decay at bay.
7. Be grateful
It’s easy to forget to slow down and count your blessings, but this is something everyone should definitely do. Even if you’re at a low point, there’s always something going on in your life to be thankful for.
8. Get outside!
While most of us prefer to sweat it out in the comfort of a gym, try to take your workouts outside from time to time. Getting your heart rate up in the fresh air can be way more exhilarating than slaving away on the elliptical in front of the boob tube.
9. Eat in more/learn how to cook
You don’t have to be Betty Crocker to know how to work the kitchen. Save your money and the empty calories that go along with eating out by learning how to make simple, healthy meals at home. If you get your friends or boyfriend involved, you’ll find that chopping vegetables is a lot more fun than you’d think.
10. Be more spontaneous
Okay, I’m not saying you should go skydiving or dye your hair fuchsia pink on a whim”unless that’s what you really want”but if you’re less the less than adventurous type, it may do you some good to add a little spontaneity to your life. Join a yoga class, start a convo with a complete stranger or just try pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. In the words of Ferris Bueller: Life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around once and a while, you could miss it.
