2021 was chaotic, to say the least, but it’s finally coming to an end. With that, it’s time to set some New Year’s resolutions for 2022. Somehow it seems easier to make a change in your life on January 1st than on any other day of the year.
Similar to a restart button in a video game, the idea of having a clean, fresh start at the beginning of a new year is appealing.
What are the goals you want to achieve? What do you want to work on? Here are some of the top New Year’s resolutions on almost everyone’s list.
1. Putting Mental Health First
Young woman meditates while practicing yoga by gregorylee, 123RF.
With pandemic fatigue from blurred work hours to countless endless meetings, it’s easy to put yourself on the sidelines and sacrifice your sanity for others.
Putting your mental health first would need to include setting boundaries at work. Maintain a healthy work-life balance and set aside me-time away from phones and other distractions. This is the time to practice mindfulness.
Woman reading book while relaxing in bath tub with flower petals by alenkasm,123RF.
There’s perfectly warranted to prioritize your mental health. It affects how we think, feel and interact with the world. And if your worries aren’t something you can deal with on your own, consider reaching out to a licensed therapist or a credible support group and go from there. Baby steps.
2. A Healthier Diet
Healthy meal prep by fahrwasser,123RF.
You know the sayings: You are what you eat. Food is fuel.
If part of your goal is to be healthier, having a more nutritious, balanced diet cannot be avoided. Know your body and what it thrives on – that could mean increasing your fruits and vegetable intake or taking in food higher in fat content.
Woman packing food onto refrigerator shelves by stockbroker,123RF.
Be careful not to fall into the rabbit hole of fad diets that promise you abs of steel after 30 days of unappetizing salad meals; it just isn’t sustainable. Don’t categorize food into good versus bad. Most food is good; eat in moderation, and balance is key. Don’t forget that H2O.
3. Getting Fit
Man in sportswear lifting weights during a workout by langstrup,123RF.
Exercising is on most people’s list of New Year’s resolutions. We don’t know about you, but we’re ending the year with a few extra pounds of fat.
Getting fit isn’t just limited to going to the gym, running on the treadmill, or lifting weights. Try out yoga, kickboxing, biking, pilates, and bouldering. Having excellent body mobility will do wonders for your joints, tissues, and posture for years to come. Your body will thank you later.
Girl riding on bicycle outdoor on the rural road by gregorylee, 123RF.
It’s important to set realistic fitness goals for yourself. Otherwise, you’re setting yourself up for failure. If your bank account allows, consider getting a personal trainer, subscribing to a fitness app, or roping in a friend to join in on simple YouTube exercises to help keep you motivated, disciplined, and accountable.
4. Experiencing Love
Close up of a smiling young couple at the beach by vadymvdrobot, 123RF.
Watching your friends spend the Christmas and New Year holidays with their partners might’ve nudged you to do things a little differently in your romantic life. Having a long-term partner and the intimacy that comes with it is good, but that doesn’t mean you should settle for just anyone!
Woman proposing to her happy girlfriend on the beach by jovanmandic, 123RF.
Before jumping into your next relationship:
Take the time to heal the possible trauma you got from past relationships.
Find out what you’re looking for in a person and how they can compliment you. When you go on dates, the first question shouldn’t be if they like you.
Ask yourself if you like them!
Shot of cheerful mixed-race family by fxquadro, 123RF.
As cliche as it sounds, love comes when you least expect it. So, focus on yourself, and you’ll attract people with qualities that you find value in.
5. Live in the moment
Retro Caucasian woman at music festival by ammentorp, 123RF.
If the past two years have taught us anything, it’s to live in the moment. It sounds easy enough, but in reality, it takes a lot of work to be present. With the help of a few simple practices, it’s not difficult to build a happier and more fulfilling life.
Happy bride and groom in the rain by andron19821982, 123RF.
Some ways to practice living in the moment include paying attention to the people around the dinner table, telling that person you love them before it’s too late, making that trip with your friends, dancing without fear of looking stupid, and saying YES to things.
Feel your feelings. Be fearless and be alive!
Woman protesting for women’s rights by ammentorp, 123RF.
Here’s to a better year.
New Year’s resolutions aren’t destined to fail and can succeed! It takes 21 days to build easy habits and perhaps months for more difficult ones. This year, give it all your might to make these New Year’s resolutions stick.
Make 2022’s version of you a good kind of different.
Check out our New Year’s compilation of videos and sounds:
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