Embrace New Year Resolutions with Positivity
How did you start the year?
What did you do after the balloons and noise-makers and champagne were gone? Did you make a list of New Year Resolutions? Was this list a long one or a short one?
I have never really written down a list for the New Year “to do.” I don’t know if maybe I am afraid of seeing what I do not achieve throughout the upcoming year.
Lately, I have come to the conclusion that new year’s resolutions need not be big steps. Instead, they can be small positive actions or just creating a new habit. (I also don’t assess a number of times: 3x a week for arm-curls. Instead it should be: exercise weekly, as weekly can become more often as the year goes by. )
A time of reflection:
January 1 can be a day of reflection on the good things of 2024.
But it doesn’t have to be the FIRST of the year. It can be at any time in the beginning of 2025.
Reflecting on the past year can be beneficial. It helps us consider how to improve ourselves and our way of life.
“We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched,” wrote Ellen Goodman.
Why do we feel we need to make a New Year resolution?
Google reflects: “A probable reason for (making) the New Year’s inspiring resolutions is the extra motivation many people feel around the end of the year.” We feel we want to start fresh and maybe make the new year better.
The start of a new year is a great benchmark.
The beginning months of the year allow us to look back. They make us think about where we stand right now in life. It helps us get clarity on what could be done better. With reflection, we can then create better habits for the year ahead.
Beginning the new year with resolutions does not have to be a dreadful list of tasks not completed.
I’ve realized I prefer creating a New Year’s list of what “I want to do in 2025.” This is more appealing than a list of tasks to accomplish. (Just a different approach.) I also think it is a more positive approach.
Do you create a list of changes for the new year?
A mental review of the ups and days of fun of the past year is a good way to think.
Are you remembering the highs, the good times of the year?
Make a list of the good times that improved your life and you want to repeat.
Have you found that you seem to abandon the “resolution” list by the 30 to 45-day mark?
Was your resolution list too much or too hard?
Were you critical of yourself?
Maybe there were too many items on your list?
New Year resolutions should be a list of what can be fun to do in the new year. It should include an easy way to create a new habit.
“Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one!” advises Brad Paisley.
I like this idea. It also plays into creating a journal for the upcoming year. I like the idea of creating a journal of positivism. This make it easier to write. The journal becomes fun to create. (I will talk more of this later.)
Creating a list of resolutions can be quite intimidating!
Mark Twain says: “Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection.”
Continuous improvement sounds hopeful as it does not have an end. Continuous improvement is not self-critical. It is an rewarding motion.
This quote has led me to create a list of what I want to improve or do more of. Positive thoughts and actions.
Don’t start by looking at the reflection of yourself in a mirror:
Looking at yourself in the mirror is not always the way to start the year. Many times we tend to be quite self-critical.
You want to look around at your physical surroundings first.
We can start by looking at our immediate surroundings and decide what needs improvement. Improvement means a commitment of time. Maybe forgoing a vacation this year to improve your home or yard?
Do you have a resolution for the inside of your home?
Organization is always good for the mind. It gives our brain strength. Your brain loves organization.
Organization of your home does not have to be a BIG job.
As you look around are you satisfied with the organization of your home base? Does the inside of your home need improvement? Don’t look at the whole house. Look at your “living” rooms. Look at the rooms YOU are in the most. (Kids rooms don’t count! maybe next year?)
Does the inside of your home need a straightening or an organizing?
Sometimes just organizing the physical things around you can help make you feel good. Having an organized spot is better for you than being surrounded by what is not allowing you to feel “all-together.”
You can start with your cupboards in your kitchen. Are they full of good foods? Nutritious foods? Are you eating healthy? Don’t throw food out; donate it. Make a list of what you can improve. Maybe more fruits and vegetables. Less snacks?
What is your food budget? Are you wanting to save money this year?
A change in your eating habits could help save money. Good foods do not cost as much as snacks or pop.
Good foods also give your greater satisfaction after eating. Good foods do make a difference in how we physically and mentally “feel.”
How to start the day organized:
You have changed or organized your foods and your cupboards, what is next?
It is advised to start each day with making your bed!
This simple action of making your bed lets your brain start the day organized. It helps throughout the craziness of the day. Try it? Your bed doesn’t have to look like out of “Good Housekeeping.” All it means is to straighten the sheets and blankets and fluff your pillow. Simple. Easy and not a big project. Your brain loves the act.
What is the meaning of the hated word “diet?”
Are you concerned about your weight?
Don’t think the word”diet” as a negative.
Merriam Webster defines the word: 1. a : the food and drink that a person, animal, or group usually (takes many birds live on a diet of insects). b: the kind and amount of food selected for a person or animal for a special reason (as improving health) or consuming each day. c: a plan of eating and drinking less than usual (so as to reduce one’s weight) 2 : something experienced repeatedly( such as more fruits and vegetables)
“Diet” is a word that is meant to be a note of what you eat each day. The word “diet” does not mean what foods you have to give up to meet a society marker of what to eat or weigh. (I’m not going into weight. Sometimes just changing what you are eating can accomplish this.)
We all eat differently. There is a way to eat healthy, and not focusing on the elimination of your favorite foods. I encourage you to think of adding color and texture to your foods. I want to think of replacement or addition.
Diet really can mean something experienced repeatedly Each Day!
Make a resolution to create a “diet” of your favorite fruits, and include new vegetables.
You notice that the word “diet” is basically what we eat each day.
A New Year’s resolution can be adding to your diet! Adding is a positive resolution, and one that can be easier to continue.
Winter has many different fruits and vegetables!
By adding more raw fruits and vegetables, you move the ugly calories aside.
Years ago, when I worked at an Assisted Living facility, I decided to gather different fruits from the grocery stores. I purchased fruits that were not on the daily menus. I wanted to offer different tastes and colors.
This activity was a HUGE success. We tried Jack fruit! We tried different bananas. We tried mangoes. All fruits that were not part of a daily menu. And worth of a note in your journal. And perhaps becoming a substitute for the usual bag of apples?
So don’t let the word “diet” in your new year resolution to be an ugly word.
Use the word to be a sweeter way of adding more fresh fruits and vegetables. (Your body will love you!)
Make plans for getting outside of your house:
Consider creating a resolution to get out of the house more and into your local, state, or national parks.
Make plans to visit each of the parks in your city. That can be a fun number to achieve!
Try to spend four hours at each park. (Don’t tell yourself, it really is about adding exercise.) Your local parks may have some great programs to visit or partake.
Recently I became a Indiana Master Naturalist. This is a program offered by the Parks Department in Indiana. (..maybe your state has one too!) We hold a spring “Hawks” program and a fall “Owl” program in a local park. It is a great success! And a lot of fun. Families here Love it! You might look into your local parks for such-type programs.
Make plans to enjoy the outdoors.
Plan a picnic, even in the winter! A walk with a stop of hot cocoa at the end, and don’t forget the marshmallows!
Select a hike that the park department may offer. Use the bike/walking trails in your neighborhood. Or maybe just the sidewalks!
Find a park program and reserve a spot! This is all the fun part of a new year resolution.
Gratitude and enjoyment is a positive resolution.
Did you look back through last year and feel some gratitude that you went, or saw, or enjoyed something special? Gratitude is a great way to make the day easier. (Don’t count “just getting through the year! There has to be some fun in it?)
Consider starting a journal of the fun things you do each week.
(Remember the park hikes? Remember choosing a raw fruit or vegetable? All some fun things to do and are worthy of a journal note.) Indirectly this becomes a Gratitude Journal. I’m betting you have heard about a gratitude journal?
Sometimes the thought of writing a gratitude journal can be daunting.
But writing in a journal becomes easier if you list what was good and fun that day. You can even reflect and remember the entire week.
We went on vacation this past season. I decided to write a short journal about our activities, sights, and meals. It started me thinking that a gratitude journal need not be an itemized list of what I’m grateful for. It can be created by indirectly listing what was good that day. I can write that!
Suggestion: create a day of the month to try something different to eat or an activity. Make a note of this activity in your journal.
Remember a journal is just taking notes of what was fun and good to remember!
How to start a journal? On a specific day, let each family member will get to choose what they want to try. Get the family involved. Do this at a family meal. (What no family meal? Create one!) It is easier to do different “things” when it is a family action. And then make a note of it in a a journal.
Can a resolution can also be creating a new fun habit?
A new year’s resolution is just creating a habit you want to do throughout the year: a new “diet.”
Remember the word “diet” can be a new habit. It can also be developing a habit farther. It should be an enjoyable new habit!
What type of habits am I suggesting?
If you like to read, maybe adding more non-fiction to your list of books. This can include book of education. Education for the job ahead. Education for advancement in your career. Education for the new hobby. For me, a bird book! Or it could be just changing what you eat.
Germany Kent advises: “Never underestimate the power you have to take your life into a new direction.”
Don’t feel intimidated by a resolution:
New Year Resolutions do not have to be intimidating. Just think about last year and decide what you want different in the New Year.
Don’t make a list of what went wrong last year. Just think of what you want to do better or more often.
You can add a weekly trip to a park.
Try new fruits and vegetables.
Make notes of what was fun and yummy! Make a list of what to do for 2025.
“The best way to predict the future is to create it!” Peter Drucker
365 ways/days to improve oneself to the fullest.
Make each day or week fun and worthwhile.
Step into 2025 with purpose and positive vibes! Start the new year with a list of fun for the future.
When we create positive new actions, we are creating great New Year Resolutions/”diets”!
What are your plans for next year?
With some planning I know you can create a better and fun new year!
\Do you want to take a trip in 2025? Trips don’t have to be expensive.
(The trip can be to site see in your nearby city.Many suburbanites have never been to the local big city.)
Are you thinking a trip to the library? A course of study? (This is where a class might be fun. I took the Indiana Master Naturalist class two years ago. It has a requirement/encouragment of activities that need to be done each year. It gets me out of the house/routine.)
(I have another resolution: I want to finish my Nutrition Coach classes. This is a good online class that I can finish this winter when I’m indoors more.)
A recipe? Do you like to cook or bake? My daughter found cooking classes at a local home goods store!
A trip to the museum? (Every town has some type of museum.) Don’t forget your local parks and even libraries. (Libraries also have book clubs whereas you read the book and once a month, gather to discuss it!)
A new hobby? Do you like to sew? Perhaps paint? There are clubs to teach and share.
Or a new organization to join? Volunteer work? (Volunteer work is needed today. Young families are so busy. But joining a volunteer group also teaches our kiddos that helping others is important.)
All of the above steps of improvement are fun and create new habits (“diets”) for the new year.
Remember a resolution is just creating a new habit.
If You followed the above suggestions, do you realize you created a New Year’s resolution plan?
Wow! A great New Year resolution plan!
And you created this list by thinking of positive actions for you and your family!
Organizing your home (and maybe improving it);
Improving how you eat;
Adding more exercise;
Improving yours and your family’s health;
Looking into a new hobby;
perhaps Planning a local trip;
Developing and writing a journal;
and adding Enrichment to yourself and your family!
Mary Jessen: Wellness Makes Cents 