I hate New Years resolutions.
I’m convinced they are in place to make people feel bad about themselves.
Think about it. You say “I want to exercise more.” Great!
If you are anything like me, you’ll go out and buy cute workout gear, new shoes, maybe a yoga ball and you’ll workout for a couple of weeks. Then one day you don’t want to get out of bed early, so you convince yourself that you’ve been doing so well for the last few weeks that you deserve a day off.
Of course you deserve that day off! But, that day turns into “Well, I didn’t do it yesterday, so what does it matter if I do it today?” …And the cycle begins.
Before you know it, your workout clothes are at the bottom of the drawer and your yoga ball is sitting in the guest bedroom collecting dust.
Has that ever happened to you?
Well, I’m here to help you with your New Years blues. I think I’ve discovered a way to keep true to those pesky resolutions without feeling guilty.
My solution is to be specific. Now, I’m only testing this theory, but it makes sense in my head. Here we go.
Instead of having something like “exercise more” or “eat healthy”; be more specific like “I’m going to jog twice a week” or “I’m going to cook a homemade meal three nights a week.”
Ahh…doesn’t that feel better? You don’t have to be a gym rat and wake up at the crack of dawn, just know that you have two days set aside for maintaining your goal of being healthy. You don’t have to turn into a health food nut, just be mindful of the ingredients you are putting into your body and know that you are completing your goal of eating healthy.
I think that by being more specific, that takes the pressure off and makes it kind of neat. You are changing your life for the better and at the same time, you don’t have to feel guilty for a late night bowl of ice cream. 😉
So, here are my resolutions for 2014:
*Instead of saying “travel more”, I have already picked my destinations and months I want to travel, so I can start saving money for those trips. My trips include, Charleston, S.C. In April, L.A. In December, and a music festival this summer. (Ok, I know that last one is not specific, so let me ‘splain myself.)
Every year, my friends and I take a one week vacation and camp out at a music festival. It is amazing hearing your favorite bands live and enjoying the company of your biffles. The downside is that festivals don’t release their line-ups until the festival date gets closer. I don’t know which festival we are planning to attend at this year, but I know we are going! 🙂
*Instead of saying “do more charity work”, I’ve chosen three ways I can help my community. First, this year, I will participate in the Polar Plunge, a local charity event where you raise money for Special Olympics then, you all jump in the freezing cold lake. Sounds like fun, right? Second, I’ve decided that Miraclean will sponsor a person/family receiving cancer treatments and we will clean their house for free. (I’m still working out the details, but I’m really excited about this!) Last, I have volunteered for a local Amazing Race-style fundraising event this Spring.
*Lastly, I want to be the person my dog thinks I am. I absolutely LOVE this quote! I want to be more loving, go on more walks, experience new things, appreciate what I have and live everyday to the fullest. I’m not saying I’m going to jump out of an airplane tomorrow, but I do want to appreciate little things. I want to soak up snuggle time with my fur baby. I want to spend more weekends at home in my pj’s…and not feel guilty about it.
What about you? What are your New Years resolutions? Tell us at www.facebook.com/Miraclean