It’s a brand spankin’ new year, which means it’s time to make those pesky New Year’s resolutions again. Hit the gym every day! Go out only one night each week! Stop procrastinating! This “wish list” goes on and on. We do it year after year; we jot down a list of big, bad goals for ourselves, but eventually break ’em in favor of cheese fries, chocolate and spontaneous multi-hour hangouts with friends. Do we feel bad? Yup. Do we beat ourselves up for veering off course? Definitely. But do we get over it? You betcha.
New Year’s Resolutions offer a temporary sense of determination, self-empowerment and excitement grounded in “changing our daily routine” (i.e. punishing ourselves in some way…) to (fingers crossed!) become a better version of ourselves. We set lofty goals that are too out of reach: we want what we can’t do. Eventually, we burn out, left with nothing but a crumpled piece of notebook paper, an empty box of Little Debbie cakes, and a sad outlook on February through December. Collegiettes, let’s get something straight: New Year’s Resolutions are supposed to be realistic, not life-ruiners. This year, resolve to achieve these doable goals. 2015 is about modification, not deprivation, so do yourself a favor and start improving (and succeeding!) by making this list your top resolutions for 2015:
1.Drink more H2O. Go to Target, by a Camelbak, and take 30 seconds to fill that sucker up wherever you see a water fountain (think Bertrand, the ELC, the gym, and every academic building on campus). Cut up lemon slices and float them in your water glass so you can sip while you get ready each morning. Buy black or green tea bags and swap your daily latte for hot tea, which typically has caffeine anyways (and FYI, hot water costs wayyy less than Starbucks). Not only is it so important to keep hydrated during these dry winter months, but more H20 means less fatigue, less dehydration, more mental clarity, and clearer skin…take that, foundation.
2.Carve out 30 minutes for exercise daily. You don’t need the genes of a tri-athlete, Olympian or iron woman to get fit. Introducing 30 minutes of exercise into your daily routine will work wonders, even if you don’t see immediate results. Try walking on an inclined treadmill while watching some Netflx; using the elliptical while reading for class; performing simple abs exercises like planks; lifting 6 or 8 lb. weights; and learning some yoga moves that will help strengthen and elongate your muscles and figure. “Don’t have the time” is no longer an excuse…close your laptop for 30 minutes, get off your tush and move it.
3.Be a smarter online shopper. Notice how I’m not saying “cut out online shopping!” Ya, that’s neverrrr gonna happen. This year, stick to one word and one word only: DISCOUNT. Pretty much every single clothing site has a sale section, so check it out before you look at the full-priced items. Websites like 6pm.com, theoutnet.com, ruelala.com, piperlime.com and gilt.com have amazing deals on designer fashions, shoes and accessories…you’ll seriously never pay full price again. Stores like Madewell and J. Crew have frequent sales (check out factory.jcrew.com) and offer a 15% discount for college students (just show your ID or use your email address!). And the best part? You can ship it all to your dorm room.
4.De-stress with a pen and paper. Instead of scrolling through my Instagram feed or texting friends before bed, I journal. Sure, it sounds pretty juvenile (my obsession with journaling did begin in second grade with my Lisa Frank notebook…), but jotting down on paper all the thoughts bouncing around in your head is it’s own form of therapy. We’re not looking for Pulitzer-prize winning essays here, ladies, just simple writing about everything that happened in a day. It’s the ultimate way to clear your head for the next.
5.Keep meaningful friendships alive; put the ones that don’t matter to rest. At this point, we all have a pretty good sense of the types of people we like. I mean, come on…how many catfights did we have to endure in middle and high school when we “disagreed” with another female friend? What about all the guys who’ve let us down in some way or another? Let go of the past. In my mind, if someone’s wronged me or done me harm in any way, I keep them an arm’s length away. On the other hand, the people who constantly build me up, support me, and encourage me in all I do are the ones who I welcome with open arms. Take time to assess your “friendships” and decide which ones are worth keeping; as for the others, gently show them the way out the door.
6.Treat yourself…in modification. To be “healthy,” you don’t have to go on some crazy gluten-free, all-vegan, totally-organic diet…if you do, chances are you’ll cave at some point. I’m sure we can all agree that food is awesome…plain and simple. If there are certain things that make you happy (i.e. sweet potato fries, vanilla cupcakes, Reece’s cups…), then have them, but only a few here and there. Stick to a simple, well-balanced diet with room for a treat each day…’cause you always deserve it.
7.Bring more peace into your life. A lavender candle, an inspirational poster, a hike in the woods, a yoga mat…these things can bring you peace, but only if you really believe in it. Take time to breathe deeply each day and think about all the good that exists in your life. Hopefully, you’ll feel a greater sense of gratitude and appreciation for the people in your life and the opportunities you’ve been given that peace of mind won’t be hard to achieve.
8.Use your “Delete” button to say bye to the past. “Hide From Timeline” and “Delete” exist for a reason. Use them. You’ll thank yourself later when you land your first real job.
9.Take time to think about your time. Each day, stop for five minutes to think about the next. Write down your schedule and figure out when you can finish your schoolwork, go for a run, make dinner, and hangout with friends in-between classes and meetings. A little extra time management goes a long way…before you know it, time will really fly when you’re having fun.
10.Breathe…and realize it’s all gonna be okay. Repeat after me: there’s no rush. No rush to get a real job; no rush to fall in love; no rush to “settle down.” Enjoy this crazy, busy, fun, exciting, and unpredictable four years. Make mistakes. Bounce back. Learn something. Breathe.
Cheers to a year filled with thoughtful choices, lessons learned, unexpected surprises, lots of laughter, and peace. You deserve it all, and you just might get it if you stay focused on these attainable goals. What’s there to lose?