There can be a lot of pressure around creating the perfect New Year’s resolutions. It’s easy to just jump on the bandwagon and resolve to quit an unhealthy habit or lose weight. The problem is, we put so much pressure on ourselves that if these things don’t happen or pan out exactly the way we want them to, we get angry with ourselves and they just get in the way of our happiness. If you want to eat healthier then more power to you, but make it a part of your lifestyle not a resolution. This year, let’s focus on resolutions that are achievable and will provoke happiness babes!
Gratitude
First, show yourself gratitude by owning all of your successes small and large this year. Secondly, make it a point to show others gratitude. Whether it’s a smile and a genuine thank you to someone who helped you at work, baking cookies for your neighbor who took your packages in while you were out of town or randomly texting your loved ones how grateful you are for them.
Stop apologizing
It feels like the division in our society today has created a culture of even more apologies. Try not to apologize for expressing your opinion or how you feel. Sometimes there are exceptions, but remember your opinions and feelings are legitimate even if someone else may not agree with them.
Start a new hobby
Whether you’ve been meaning to volunteer, read more or start painting, make this your year to try something new! Hobbies can be a great way to relieve stress and exercise your mind in ways you typically don’t.
Love yourself
Learning to love yourself for who you are is easier said than done, but having compassion for yourself and understanding that you are human and make mistakes just as everyone else will go far. When you find yourself beating up on yourself, step back and ask yourself if you would judge a friend that harshly.
Don’t take life too seriously
Laugh and have fun! Keeping everything in perspective is the key to happiness. My mom has always told me “don’t sweat the little things” and that’s always been something hard to grapple with. But next time you find yourself sweating it, ask yourself what if any effect this is going to have on the big picture. Brush it off babes!
Be ok with saying no
It can be really hard to say no. Whether it’s to friends who are pushing you to go out when you’re just not feeling it or to a coworker who’s asking you to take on a task that you just don’t have the bandwidth for. While it’s important to be polite, saying no when you need to is even more important.
Put self care first
Putting self care first is putting yourself first. The further we’ve creeped into our late 20’s, the more important this has become. Is answering a few more emails that can wait until tomorrow going to take away from your 8 hours of beauty sleep? Nope. Self care isn’t always about being healthy though. If you’ve been depriving yourself of a cheeseburger you just can’t stop thinking about … DO IT. Put you first.
Travel somewhere new
You know what they say, travel is the best medicine. We are firm believers that travel makes you a better person. Pick somewhere to check off of your bucket list and make it happen! If money is tight this year, that’s ok, it doesn’t have to be too far away to be a new place. Check out our travel section for inspo.
Don’t be afraid to talk about what’s going on with you
Whether you’ve been a victim of violence, are struggling with mental illness or a breakup, if there’s anything we’ve learned in the past couple of years it’s that talking is the only way to deal. It can feel uncomfortable to open up to friends or family about these things, but if they are worth it they will still love you and respect you for opening up. There’s also no shame in finding a professional to talk to if you’re not ready to open up to your loved ones.
Connect with someone you’ve been meaning to
You know that one person that every time you see them you say “let’s get together soon,” but then you never do. Be the one to make it happen! Is there someone you have a girl crush on in your yoga class? Ask them to hangout. What’s the worst that could happen.
Foster your relationships
Make it a point to focus on and put effort into the relationships you already have from significant others to friends to family. It can be easy to drift apart from friends who have moved away or who have different schedules than you, but make it a priority. At the end of the day, relationships are THE most important thing.
Embrace where you are
Stop beating yourself up because you are nearing 30 and don’t have the perfect job, a dating life or have accomplished other goals that our society had constructed as “right.” And please stop comparing yourself to others. Where you are is totally fine and you will get where your going soon enough.