If you’re anything like me, you have probably ditched the concept of “new year’s solutions” a long time ago. Not that I have anything against it, but after disappointing myself for a few years, I’ve learned that resolutions aren’t for me – and the majority of people.
But why is that? I believe that setting resolutions every year is an overly aggressive method for self-improvement. It puts so much pressure on you during the end of the year, and too high expectations at the beginning of the new year – which most of the time, leads to disappointments.
I mean, why enter a new year without excitement because there are so many new “guidelines” you’ve set for yourself. Cutting off sugar starting 1st of January – what could be less exciting than this? Although there are resolutions that are absolutely beneficial for your well-being, there are less aggressive ways to kickstart the new year.
At the end of the day, if you’re achieving things, but feel stressed most of the time, what’s the point? Here are some things and small steps you can take towards a better you in 2022 – that aren’t running 5 miles a day.
- Practice deep breathing when you’re feeling stressed or anxious
- Get used to calling people instead of texting them
- More confrontation
- Go do those checkups you’ve been delaying
- Drink water before coffee
- Delete unused applications on your phone
- Set a consistent wake-up – sleep schedule
- Declutter your playlist
- Clear storage on your phone
- Practice having a better relationship with food
- Go on more walks in the morning
- Take those online courses you’ve been wanting to take
- Leave your phone out of the bedroom during sleep
- Schedule breaks that same way you schedule work appointments
- Try a new physical activity
- Open the curtains and windows first thing in the morning
- Find a way to style those clothing items you haven’t worn in months
- Fix your posture whenever you sit down
- Practice gratitude every day using a journal
- Focus on nutrients instead of calories
- Compliment people more
- Chop vegetables for an easy snack
- Take a probiotic supplement
- Add nutritious seeds to your meals
- Identify what makes you stressed the most, and ways to deal with it
- Join a book club
- Find places to stargaze
- Unfollow accounts on social media that aren’t aligned with who you are
- Make your bed every day
- Declutter your wardrobe
- Practice saying “No” when you want to
- Don’t reward yourself with food
- Drink less caffeine and more water
- Make yourself colorful fruits/vegetable plates
- Notice your energy after you meet up with people
- Practice saying “Thank you”
- Read books that you enjoy, not that you feel are “beneficial”
- Set intentions
- Ditch the no-carb rule
- Try out new recipes
- Expose yourself to more light
- Stretch whenever you can
- Less screen time
- Have an enjoyable morning routine
- Drink chamomile tea before bedtime
- Check your food intolerances/sensitivities
- Work on your gut health
- Eat more home-cooked meals
- Declutter your e-mail inbox
- Accept compliments confidently
- Adopt a pet
- Find ways to give more to the universe
- Make less impulsive purchases
- Practice internal validation
- Try out new clothing styles