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The Top 10 Resolutions We Make, but Rarely Keep |
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December 28th, 2013 by: Jessica Tierney
I’m not going to lie to you…I rolled my eyes so many times while writing out these common, typical, are-we-really-going-to-do-this-again resolutions? These ten are so stereotypical that I couldn’t help but laugh when I read them. It happens every year, the “This year is my year!” and the “I’m really going to make an effort to run a mile every day”, which only lasts the first week. I totally believe in you guys, but I have to be honest…these resolutions are so old it’s time to change it up.
1. Losing Weight - I am going to run a mile every morning. I am going to get a better mile time. I am going to go to the gym after work, everyday. It goes on and on and on. It might happen for the first week or maybe even a month, but…without fail you end up slowing down until you aren’t running anywhere except to the refrigerator.
Try: Don’t put so much stress on yourself. Sign yourself up for a class at the gym (and pay for it). Even if it’s only once a week at least you’re working out. Your body is a temple. Seriously, it is.
2. Eating Better - This usually starts with a whole plan written on a piece of paper or given to you by your trainer (see #1). Sometimes it works and other times it doesn’t like when you see your favorite ice cream on sale. The list is then thrown out the window. Sometimes literally.
Try: Cooking at least one meal a week at home. Yes, those restaurant delivery meals are great, but they are usually loaded with oil and butter. One date night a week with your kitchen will help improve your culinary skills, monitor what goes in your food and create healthy eating habits.
Try: The patches or that new electronic cigarette that doesn’t have nicotine in it. It could work, and remember, sometimes baby steps are best.
4. Drink Less - I don’t think this one actually needs to happen. I mean, drinking is great. Especially when it’s happy hour. This one doesn’t happen because you’ll be out with your friends and they buy you a drink. How do you turn down a free drink?! How?!
Try: Only drinking after 5PM or only on the weekends or only on Friday. If you really need to do it. 'Everything in moderation' is my favorite phrase.
5. Save Money - “Oh my gosh, did you see those shoes?! They would look so good with my red dress.” And for the guys, “Dude, that new Xbox is sick. I’ve got to get it.” That’s it. That’s how saving money turns into spending money. Those sales after Christmas always get you. Always.
Try: Just put $10 in your bank from each paycheck, automatically. Do more if you’re up to or it less if you’re not. But if you start saving now, it’ll get easier. You should always have money for any kind of emergency that might come up.
6. Get a Better Job - You want to do this. I know you do. Maybe it’s because you aren’t doing something you love or you should really get promoted because you’ve been with the company since you were interning there. It’s hard though because if you leave you might start even lower than where you are now and that means a salary cut.
Try: Just do it. I’m so passionate about this, but I only recommend this if it is a well-thought out plan. It’ll be scary, but it will be worth it. Weigh the pros and cons, do the research, have money set aside and put feelers out. If the odds are in your favor or close, go for it and if not, the universe will very likely meet you halfway.
7. Get Organized -You go to the store and buy (see #5) a ton of organizers. You are going to do it. You’ll put all the papers in one and tax stuff in another. Then you go through all your papers and can’t believe why you ever kept that much stuff. It’s way too much to sort through. Too much time spent when you could be sitting on facebook instead.
Try: I’m all about starting small. The little things make a huge difference so try picking one part of your room, apartment or house and organizing that. Once you find your rhythm, your good to go.
8. Take a Trip - I think you should do this. Traveling is great and I wish we actually kept this resolution, but somehow life always gets in the way. It’s too much money or you don’t have the time or you couldn’t go on a trip by yourself. Excuses.
Try: Maybe it doesn’t have to be as big as Europe. Maybe it’s just going somewhere close by like to San Diego. Stay in a hotel. Order room service. Lay out on the beach. San Diego could lead to London or Paris.
9. Learn Something New - We get too busy. That’s why this one always ends up being one we never keep.
Try: Reading a book if you can’t do something as big as learn a new language. You’ll always learn something new in a book. I swear. Need something activity based? Buy an online discounted course in mixology or a watercolor class and let your inner artist come out without breaking the bank.
10. Volunteer - Help out in soup kitchen. Give something to the homeless. Make houses in a third world country. Or even donate money. Once again, life always manages to get in the way.
Try: Start small. Donate money (even a little) to a charity that you really like. Make a Wish or something of the like. Whatever charity you think is making a difference. It might be a small thought, but it is the thought that counts.
I wasn’t originally planning on writing this with ways you could try to avoid not keeping these common resolutions, but I just got so sad because I feel like these are essential things that should be kept. I always have a hard time when it comes to resolutions mainly because I love the tradition aspect of it, but I hate the idea that we do this one time a year. I feel that we don’t need the New Year to make a change in our lives and we should be able to change anytime. However, I’m going to make an exception to my bitter feelings about resolutions and make one. I’m going to try and not make fun of anyone that has 1 of the 10 resolutions on here.
Just for the record, even if you do have one of the most common resolutions on here, I totally believe that you can lose weight or eat better or stop shopping so much. I might be a cynic about resolutions, but when it comes to bettering yourself…. I’m all for that. Cheers!
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