2020 has been quite the year. Despite the many challenges thrown at us this year, there were definitely lessons learned and some character development that happened. Whether 2020 was the worst or best year of your life, the new year is just around the corner.
Like many others, I challenge myself to improve each year by coming up with a New Year’s Resolution. The important thing about New Year’s Resolutions is making sure that they are reasonable and attainable. So here are some simple New Year’s Resolutions that I may be challenging myself to accomplish during the year 2021.
- Daily affirmations
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It is important to be kind to yourself. After all, self-love is the best kind of love. Daily affirmations can be as simple as rewarding yourself with a sweet treat or watching a movie after completing some assignments to look in the mirror each morning and saying “you got this!” You can also buy some post-it notes, write positive affirmations on them and put them on your laptop or around your workspace.
- Show gratitude
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Being grateful for what you have is key to mindfulness. Challenge yourself to handwrite a letter of thanks to a different person who has positively impacted your life each month. It should not take more than an hour, and it is always fun to receive a handwritten note, especially since we live in an age of electronics and social media.
- Go on walks
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It is actually proven that taking mindful breaks to walk and soak in nature can positively impact mood. So next time you’re stressed out over an assignment or in a funk, try getting a breath of fresh air to reset. Consider downloading the app “Strava” and recording your walks to keep track of them throughout the year.
- Read more
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If you read a book a month, you will have read 12 books by the end of the year. Before you go to bed, try to put away your phone and pull out a book instead. A chapter or two each night can add up. Plus, it will tire out your eyes and make it easier to fall asleep for the night.
- Closet cleanout
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Go on and get rid of that one sweater that you swore you were going to wear this year but never actually ended up wearing. Get a big bag and toss all the clothes you haven’t worn in a while and donate them. Cleaning out the closet can be relaxing, and it will make some room for new styles.
- Support small businesses
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Especially in the midst of the pandemic, many small businesses have been negatively affected. Check out local boutiques, online shops, restaurants, and farmers’ markets before going to big-name franchises.
Now that you have some ideas, get yourself an accountability partner to make sure you both are working toward achieving your goals this year. It could be your best friend, mom, dad, siblings, roommates, significant other, anyone! It iss always nice to have someone to keep you accountable! Good luck in achieving all of your New Year’s Resolutions for 2021!