The new year brings with it the opportunity to reflect on our past 365 days and plan for how to make the next 365 better. To do so, we often partake in annual traditions. We eat greens and black eyes peas to be healthy and wealthy, then write down some resolutions to help guide us in the journey towards a more fulfilling life. Many people can get burned out on making resolutions. They make the gyms more crowded in January and how many of us really follow through on these lofty ambitions we make during times of great hope? But at its core, a resolution is a reminder to always be thinking greater and that simple changes are the ones that have the most impact in the long run. Here are a few easy resolutions to consider as we approach the new year.
Cook A New Meal Each Week
A good resolution is going to help your mental, emotional, physical, or financial health. A great one is going to uplift multiple areas of your life at once. Cooking is a hobby that leads us to a healthier diet that costs less than eating out. Taking the time to learn a new meal each week encourages us to keep thinking forward while diversifying our plates. Now that’s a win-win. If you find it hard to make the time to do a new meal each week, adjust your goal and consider meal prepping to make the workload on other days lighter.
Learn to Budget
Financial stress is one of the easiest things to fall into, and one of the most intense traps to try and release yourself from. There are guides along the way to help us practice basic principles to avoid getting into certain situations, or to help us get out of debt. Taking the time to keep track of your income and expenses while planning a path to savings will go a long way.
Read More
We live in an age of technology, I’ll grant you that. But there is still nothing quite like a good old-fashioned book or article to keep us entertained while keeping our brains sharp and updated on the times. The great news is technology has made it even easier to keep up with your reading - so there are no excuses this year, buster!
Prioritize Your Health
Health is a beautiful yet fickle thing that is often underpaid when it comes to attention until we are experiencing a health scare. Taking a proactive approach when it comes to our physical and mental health can go a long way in creating a better 2023 and beyond. Routine screenings, walks, exercise, and eating healthy can keep us aware of our health and how to improve it.
Take Time For You
It’s easy to stress about all the things we are behind on or doing wrong, but how often do we stop to consider if we are giving ourselves enough time to rest and relax? While it may seem you don’t always have the time to do so, it’s important that you make the time! Taking the time to slow down and recharge our batteries will make us more productive in the long run - and it feels good. This could look like making yourself get enough sleep each night or ensuring that you take a vacation in 2023.
Get Out and Mingle
Home is a great place to be. It’s where we rest our heads, fill our bellies, and mindlessly watch television. It’s comforting. Sometimes it can be so pleasant that we rarely take the time to leave besides for work, chores, or to grab a bite to eat. Taking the time to get out can help us experience new joys that are found beyond the house. It could look like joining a pick-up game, participating in a club, or finding volunteer opportunities around the city. Embrace what comes with taking a step out.
Cover image by Jonathan Borba
