Alternatives to a New Year’s Resolution

Are you tired of setting a New Year’s resolution? If so, you are not alone. Many people set them and after a few weeks they go by the wayside. Last week’s blog gave tips on how to stick to them. This week will focus on other things you can do instead of setting them.

How about looking at it in an entirely different way, and that is, what can you do that will make you feel good about yourself, or enhance your personal growth? Here are some ideas.

Explore new foods

If you are like me, you tend to have the same basic grocery list from week to week. You may not be aware of many other food choices such as various fruits and vegetables. What might it be like each week to try a different fruit or vegetable that you haven’t tried before? Realistically there may not be 52 new items to try at your basic grocery store, but I think you get the idea about stepping out and trying new things.

Explore new locations in your city

Many of us live in a location and rarely take advantage of all our city has to offer. Again, we tend to go to the same locations. Have you ever thought about playing tourist in your own city? Often times we go on vacation and check out the websites with various things to try in that city. Why not do the same things where you live?

Here in Houston there are multitudes of museums, parks and beaches to go to. Why not explore one a month and expand your horizons?

Try new restaurants

You may be more comfortable with this one once the threat of COVID has passed. I think you could eat out every night in Houston and never go to the same restaurant twice. I know it can add up, so obviously I’m not suggesting that you do this every day. But how about getting out of your rut and trying new restaurants, or a new type of cuisine?

Volunteer

There are so many people that need help this year. My guess is that there is something you are good at that can benefit others. Is there a skill that you have that others are in need of? Maybe you are good at singing, so you sing in a church choir. Perhaps you are good at math, English, or any other subject and can tutor someone. Do you love animals? How about volunteering in a shelter or fostering an animal? Volunteering is a win-win. It helps someone else and makes you feel good at the same time.

Make a list of things you’d like to do this year

Perhaps it is from the listed items above. Maybe you want to go to the beach, visit family, call a friend or family member you haven’t spoken to in awhile. Maybe there is a project you have wanted to do around the house.

Try a new healthy habit

Have you always wanted to try yoga, meditation or some other habit that is good for you? This is different than a resolution, as this suggests that you will only try it. No need to stick with it if you don’t enjoy it. You may even find that you like it.

Take an online course

This can be anything from a college course, to an evening course learning a new skill. There are all kinds of short online courses to learn computer skills, cooking, organizing, crafting, etc. Trying new things expands your knowledge and makes you feel good about yourself.

Gratitude journal

This is something else you might want to try. Write down 3 things each day that you are grateful for. Again, we don’t want to make this a resolution and feel as if you have to do this every day. Try it for a week or 2 and see if it is helpful for you. If you enjoy it, write them down when you feel like it.

Read a book

Perhaps you are someone who loves to read, or hates to read. If you love to read, what about making a list of the books you’d like to read? They don’t have to be read in any certain order or time frame. Think of it as a bucket list of books.

If you don’t like to read, is there a book that you have wanted to read? Again, it doesn’t have to be done in any specific time frame, whatever works for you.

Take stock of your life

Is your life out of balance? Are you paying attention to the things you need to and nurturing things that are important to you? First begin by writing a list of things that are most important to you. Some ideas might include work, family, relationship, friends, exercise, and creativity. Then ask yourself how much time do you devote to these things? If you notice that some of the things on your list have gone by the wayside, it’s important to think about readjusting.

As you can see, here is a list of things that you can try instead of a New Year’s resolution. Hopefully you will try something new and feel good about yourself in the process. If you are struggling in some area of life, it helps to have someone to talk to who is not emotionally involved in the situation. Please give me a call at 713-304-6554 if I can help.

Take care,

Debbie