New Year's Resolutions
I can’t be classified as the type that’s “not really into New Years resolutions.”
There’s pressure to be better, to do better at the start of the new year, I get that. I also get that the pressure sends people into a black and white mindset, making them either dive headfirst or avoid the idea all together.
The idea of resolutions, at its core, is pure.
Growth is a good thing. Finding ways to improve our lives is a really good thing.
Instead of trying to put an end to New Year’s resolutions, I say we keep ‘em. Let’s keep the excitement of going into a new year with a goal and a positive mindset.
Of course we can grow throughout the rest of the year, but let’s start now and let’s start strong — even if we start small.
Your resolution doesn’t need to be some loud declaration like working out every day or cutting out all fast food. I think recognizing areas of our routines that could use even the slightest tinge of improvement is the best place to start.
I made a list of simple habits that I’ve implemented over the last couple of years that have become second nature and have truly changed me for the better.
Take one of these simple, sustainable ideas and make it your resolution!
Use one of these as your strong step into the new year. You’ll be so glad you did.
For the person who wants to eat better:
Prioritize whole foods over processed ones: Focus on fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts and seeds. By no means do healthy foods need to be cardboard, either. Don’t let the grilled chicken with unseasoned broccoli and rice scare you away. I have tons of meal and snack inspiration on my instagram if you need some help on where to start!
Don’t restrict foods that don’t need to be restricted: If you don’t have an allergy to specific foods/food groups, there’s no point in restricting yourself from them. Carbs aren’t bad, fats aren’t bad. Bread won’t kill you (allergy exclusions apply). Just buy the good quality stuff. Buy the bread without seven thousand ingredients you can’t pronounce and lots of sugar. Buy the extra virgin olive oil, the unrefined coconut oil, the avocado oil if you’re feeling fancy. Use pure maple syrup, honey, or coconut sugar when baking. Invest in good quality foods and you won’t feel the need to restrict because your body will respond to the food as it should.
Don’t go on a diet: If you’re trying to feel and look better, going on a diet probably will not help you. Yo-yo dieting is an extremely common response to putting your body through the stress of under eating or limiting foods or nutrients that it really needs. Prioritize whole foods, don’t be strict on yourself, and tune into your intuition. Eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re full. Or eat when you’re craving something and maybe eat a little more than usual. Our bodies are smarter than we give them credit for. They know how to balance out a special treat or a little extra food on your plate. Trust yourself. Do not, however, trust that some fad diet or fitness influencer knows you better than you do. Be flexible, eat well.
For the person who wants to take better care of their body:
Floss: Daily. Period, end of story.
Go for a walk: Take your dog, go with your dad, listen to a podcast, listen to the world around you. Building this into my daily routine has helped boost my productivity, my mood (thanks, vitamin D), and has given me the chance to meet my neighbors. Seriously — I’ve been going for a walk every single day for about two years now and has subsequently introduced me to people I would’ve never met. I think that’s really cool.
Stretch & warm-up: First thing in the morning and last thing before bed. Intermittently between long periods of sitting. Before working out, after working out. Move your bones, stretch your muscles.
Roll out after working out: It sucks for the 5 minutes your achy muscles are being terrorized, but it’s worth not being sore for the three days after leg day. Do it.
For the over-connected:
Journal before consuming: Before reaching for your phone and checking emails, social media, or text messages, grab a journal and a pencil. Write down whatever’s on your heart, write down a few things you’re grateful for or what you’re looking forward to that day. Give yourself at least a few minutes in the morning to ease into your to-do list. I promise, journaling will change the trajectory of the rest of your day.
Detach for an entire day: Sabbath is vital, friends. Get away from screens. Go outside. Grab a book, read it. Write a friend a letter. Paint. Walk your dog. Visit a neighbor. Dedicate one day a week to detach.
For the organizationally challenged:
Use a calendar: For all you multi-hyphenates out there like myself, buy a calendar and use it. Mine hangs right next to my door. I write down my work shifts, school schedule, due dates, friend dates, project plans, etc. Being able to visually see my month mapped out and avoid double-booking (or over-booking) is my key to success. It’s taken a lot of stress off of me, it’s worth the few seconds it takes to physically write down my schedule.
For the person whose skin needs a little more TLC:
Moisturize: This is not a drill. Put lotion on every time you get out of the shower. Dry off and moisturize. Your skin will thank you later down the line.
Dry brush: Want to take the post-shower skincare a step further? Buy a dry brush and use it a couple times a week before showering. Brush over your entire body going towards the direction of your heart. Shower. Then moisturize. Your skin will really think you later down the line.
Drink water: I’d like to believe I don’t need to explain this one. To keep it short, odds are you’re not drinking enough water. Get a reusable bottle and carry that baby with you everywhere.
For the person who wants to be better with money:
Make your coffee or tea at home. You don’t need to cut the drinks or abandon the cafes all together — but if you notice you’re spending more money per week on coffee than you’d be comfortable spending on a single meal, opt for a homemade cup whenever you can. Maybe aim to cut back to four days if you’re buying out five, you know what’s reasonable for you. Personally, I try to avoid going out to cafes unless I’m going to hangout with a friend or seriously need a change in scenery to help my productivity.
Avoid impulse spending: If you don’t really need something, sit on it. If you can’t stop thinking about that item, reconsider whether you truly want it. If you do really want it and will get good use out of it, ask yourself if the quality is really worth the money you’re going to spend. Then, and only then, should you buy that item. Put thought into what you’re putting your money into.
Plus one, minus one: This rule was my first into minimalism. Anytime I make the decision to buy something, I swap it for another piece I already own. I either use Poshmark to sell my nicer items (a great way to not only give your clothes more life by giving them new homes, but you also make some money in the process), or I hand them down to a family member, a friend, or a secondhand store. The hangers in my closet aren’t cramped and my dresser drawers close without jumbling all my folded things. A decluttered wardrobe is the kind of peace of mind you don’t realize you need until you have it… After decluttering, I highly recommend using this plus one, minus one strategy to keep your wardrobe in check!
Travel smart: In order to travel smart, you need to travel. Earlier this year, I faced my biggest fear and hopped on a plane straight to Europe for the very first time. I booked my flight months in advance, planned to stay with my cousins, and only brought what could fit in my backpack. I’ve been on three big trips this year, Germany and France, Texas, and NYC. Keep a close watch on flight fluctuations, become comfortable with middle seats, borrow clothes from friends instead of buying them, stay with a family member or friend if you have the option. Whatever it takes to get you out of your corner of the world and into someone else’s, do it. Travel and do so wisely so you can do so often.
For the person trying to be more eco-conscious:
Limit your need for plastic: Bring reusable tote bags to the grocery store. Don’t put your bananas in a plastic bag. Opt for unpackaged produce. Buy products in glass jars if you have the option. Do what you can, where you can, as often as you can.
Stop buying (or limit) fast fashion: Some brands I’ve bought from (and love) are Patagonia for active/outerwear, Everlane for all kinds of apparel, Outdoor Voices for activewear, and Veja for shoes. I’m by no means perfect with this, I mean… Madewell is one of my favorite stores. Which, luckily, they are doing better at neutralizing their impact through denim recycling and fair-trade operations… but they are still a fast fashion company. I’m not the biggest fashion-buyer so I do a fair job at limiting my support of fast fashion. Getting the most use out of what I own now definitely limits my desire to buy more clothes.