Many of us resent New Year’s resolutions; we
want to make a resolution to stop making resolutions. They might be a way to
engage in self-growth, but they’re certainly not the only route to personal
improvement and fulfillment. In fact, there are several alternatives to
traditional resolutions, options that feel more doable and less pressurized
than our midnight promises.
So, consider ditching tradition in favor of
the following:
Getting into a Groove
Many New Year’s resolutions have a hidden
factor at their core: routine. Hitting the gym, cooking healthier meals, and
staying organized are just a few examples that require repetitive practice. So,
rather than holding yourself to a vow you’re more than likely to break, simply
start a routine that works for you.
According to research, it takes an average of
66 days for an activity to become automatic. In other words, stick to something
for two months and it should become permanent. Do it long enough and it’ll be
as much of a daily habit as brushing your teeth and pretending to floss.
Setting Aside One Day a Month to Get Things
Done
Most of us have a long list of things we need
to get done, a to-do list that’s turned into a to-don’t list. From installing
the security camera purchased six months ago to organizing the storage boxes in
the basement, there are all sorts of tasks that fall by the wayside once life
gets busy.
Setting aside one day a month is an excellent
way to cut into your to-do list without holding yourself to any unreasonable
demands. Use the first few months to get on top of any lingering tasks and the
subsequent months to stay that way.
Developing a Five-Year Plan
A five-year plan is less intense than a New
Year’s resolution for one obvious reason: you have five years to accomplish it.
Spreading your ambitions over a longer period allows you to adapt to little
steps rather than life-altering choices too dramatic to stick to.
What your five-year plan looks like really
depends on your unique situation. Some people want to be married with children
while others want to be retired with a cocktail. Figure out what you’re truly
after and set in motion the steps to make it happen.
Doing Something You Want to Do
One of the reasons New Year’s resolutions fail
is they involve things that aren’t particularly enjoyable. Losing weight, for
instance, means cutting back on chocolate, something most of us wouldn’t wish
on our worst enemy. One way to turn the tables on the New Year is to replace
your resolution with jubilation.
In short, promise to do something
exhilarating. This may be traveling to South America, taking an Alaskan cruise,
adopting a puppy, buying a new wardrobe, or starring in a community play. Doing
things that inspire, thrill, and excite make us happier people, making us
better ones in the long run.
Creating a Bucket List
A bucket list may be full of far-reaching
adventures — such as a trip to the plains of Africa to witness elephants in
their natural habitat — or made up of opulent purchases. It can also
be more practical, as you may strive to own a home, retire at 60, or donate an
increasing portion of your salary to charity.
In essence, a bucket list is a wish list for your existence, which means
there’s no limit to what you can hope for.
Some people believe that bucket lists are
reserved for those who are older, but surveys suggest that they’re most popular
among young women between the ages of 30-44. It may seem
counterintuitive, as younger people have no intention of “kicking the bucket”
anytime soon, yet the advantage is clear: the sooner you create your list, the
more time you have to fulfil it.
A New Year’s resolution may be a tradition
that has run its course. Try switching things up and embracing the above
alternatives, instead, setting the stage for 2022 to be a year of spectacular
change.
The Habitat Apartments is located in Gunbarrel with convenient access to shopping
in Boulder and beyond. We offer apartments and townhomes with private patios, a
heated pool, outdoor kitchens, pet-friendly perks, and multiple floorplans to
choose from. Contact us today to learn why we’re the perfect place to spend
2022.