It’s no secret that 2020 was a difficult year for us all. With the uncertainty of these unprecedented times, prioritizing our wellbeing has not been easy. In 2021, don’t put pressure on yourself to conform to typical (and somewhat toxic) New Year’s resolutions, such as losing a dramatic amount of weight or finding “the one.” Instead, use this new year to take small steps to take care of yourself and keep yourself anchored as we continue to face new challenges. Here’s a list of 5 simple resolutions that can help you improve both your physical and mental wellbeing in 2021:
- Find a new hobby
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When looking for a new hobby, it’s important to make sure that these are activities that you love but don’t pressure you to succeed for some sort of social or financial gain. Hobbies should be strictly for fun! Cooking, doing makeup, thrifting, or learning to play an instrument are all great hobbies to pick up.
- Work out and eat well to feel good, not to lose weight
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If you haven’t already, let’s ditch toxic diet culture in 2021. Working out and eating healthy are incredible ways to improve both your mental and health, but the intention behind these practices needs to be for just that—not to get thin. Let’s use food to fuel our body and exercise to get stronger this year.
- Create a skincare routine
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Yes, I am giving you permission to binge watch Skincare by Hyram. Not only does implementing a simple skincare routine keep your skin looking its best, but it also allows you take a few minutes out of each morning and night to focus on taking care of yourself and your body. I have already started this resolution, and it’s improved both my skin and my mental health!
- Practice gratitude
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Research shows that practicing gratitude directly correlates with greater happiness. Some easy ways to practice gratitude are to keep a gratitude journal, volunteer, or by simply reminding your family and friends how much you love and appreciate them.
- Give yourself grace
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Most importantly, give yourself grace this year. If 2020 showed us anything, it’s that you never know what obstacles may come your way. It’s important not to be so hard on yourself, especially when you set unrealistic goals for yourself in the beginning of the year. Start out slow and be easy on yourself.
With all the uncertainties we face, it can be difficult to take extra time out of your schedule to prioritize your needs. We all deserve a better year this year, so start with you! Show us how you are tackling your 2021 resolutions by tagging us on Instagram @hercampusbama!