Does starting a new year have you all freaked out? Or does it feel like nothing has changed at all?
Whether you're experiencing monotony or full chaos, you can change it up. Getting ready for change doesn't have to mean choosing (and probably failing to keep) a New Year's Resolution. There are other types of goal setting out there, and this post is full of ideas. Check it out!
*Disclaimer: Some of the links you see may be affiliate links. All that means is if you click through and end up making a purchase, I’ll earn a commission.
New Year’s Resolutions
My article last week addressed the idea of a new decade, not just a new year. The twenties are back, and while some people are trying to reignite the flapper movement, others are just hoping to move on to a brighter future. No matter which group you fall into, you may be setting resolutions. The biggest resolutions revolve around weight loss and exercise, while others resolve to be more generous or volunteer more. Whatever the change we seek to make, we often fail.
Failing Miserably
Around half of Americans make resolutions. Many of the other half claim they’ll never keep them anyway, so why try in the first place? They’re right: some studies show around two-thirds of people don’t keep their New Year’s Resolutions.
Some people may set goals that are too lofty to accomplish. While change is great, too much change can shock the system and you’ll find it exhausting to keep up with. At the same time, set goals that are too small and you may forget about them. There are lots of tips out there for helping you stick to your resolutions, but what about trying a different option?
Other Ideas and Alternatives to Resolutions
Goal setting is important, but maybe it doesn’t have to be a once-a-year thing. Instead of trying for the whole year, why not try a 30-day challenge? You could do Yoga by Adrienne’s 30-day yoga challenge or take a 30-day photography for iPhone class. There are so many 30-day classes and challenges out there, you should be able to find one for every hobby or interest.
Here are some other ideas:
Write a letter to yourself every year and open it the next New Year
Plan the whole year in advance, a la Fun, Cheap, or Free (P.S. follow Jordan Page on Insta, she’s a riot)
Vow to do one thing different this year, whether it’s taking a trip, saving more money, or listening to more music.
. Then don’t set rigid guidelines. Make that your mantra or your focus for the year, and see where your ideas take you as far as fulfilling that one overarching idea.
Choose an intention word for the year. One word that helps you focus your time and actions for the entire year.
This year is a leap year, so choose an activity based on that.
Possibilities
Maybe it’s the sun shining in this part of the world or just the eye-opening date on the calendar, but the new year and the new decade seem full of possibilities. You could make serious changes or just tweak some things to live a life more full of joy and hope. Here’s to you, adventurous mama, and whatever goals you set this year and in the future. Rock on!
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*Disclaimer: Some of the links you see may be affiliate links. All that means is if you click through and end up making a purchase, I’ll earn a commission.