This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at C of C chapter.
Since I reached the age of being able to enjoy New Years Eve (i.e., not watching the ball drop with my parents and having my dog as my New Years kiss), it has become one of my favorite holidays. Not only are you given the opportunity to wear too much glitter, but it’s a chance to give yourself a fresh start and pretend like every mistake you made in the past year was “like, so, totally a year ago I mean just forget about it okay,” even if it was only a month ago. New Years gives you the chance to reflect on the year you just had and think of ways you can improve it. Unfortunately, most people think of the New Year and the resolutions that come with it, as a two-week period before the routine recommences. But why not use this chance to really change yourself for the better? Sure you can start going to the gym any day, but wouldn’t it be nice, come 2016, to look on the year that just passed and see how much progress you made?
The easiest way to keep your resolution is to tune it to your specific needs.
Maybe your resolution was to make a 4.0 this semester but, after the first week of Organic Chem, you’re not feeling so hopeful. Change it to making a 3.7 instead, just as impressive and probably a little more doable. If you went the fitness or health route for your resolution, focus on making gradual progress. Start by going to the gym three times a week and minimizing your intake of certain foods rather than purchasing way too much Lululemon and suddenly becoming die-hard vegan/gluten free/paleo/whatever other insane diet you chose. You will be significantly less likely to quit after two weeks, and you will be less miserable for those weeks.
Another helpful tip is to motivate yourself.
Leave cheesy notes on your desk or in your planner cheering yourself on. Sure your roommate might laugh at you, but it’s always helpful to have someone who believes in you even if it is yourself.
Lastly, when considering New Years Resolutions, it is important to realize when something is genuinely going to improve your life, and when it is not.
Last year, my resolution was to stop cursing. I made it eight months before I realized that the only thing that was improving was my creativity when thinking of expletives. Try to focus on changes in your life that will make you a more physically and mentally healthy person, or a better person in general.
Building healthy habits in life is hard, but come February, when the gym is in your daily routine, or all processed carbs are finally out of your refrigerator, it will start to get easier and the next 11 months will fly by (kind of). And when that piece of pizza is looking mighty tasty, or that party is calling you away from your chemistry notes, just think how impressed you will be with yourself when the countdown to 2016 is going on and you can look back on your year and be proud of how you spent your 2015.
Photo Creds:
playbuzz.com