birds

New Year, New You?

A new year’s resolution – no matter how grand or how small – helps to start the new year off on the right foot, right?

Well, not always.

It has been reported that a whopping 90% of people will break their new year’s resolutions by mid-February. So what does that say about the weight of a new year’s resolution? Or, perhaps, are we just being too hard on ourselves? I know that I have taken on unrealistic resolutions in years gone by and I can only assume this is the downfall of resolutions in the first place.

Nowadays, I prefer making a sweeping resolution, something that is a catch-all for my approach to the next 365 days. For instance, last year my new year’s resolution was to not take bullshit from anyone. Simple, yet satisfying. It was an easy mantra to keep at the forefront of my mind throughout the year and although it may have been more difficult to keep than I thought (there are a lot of bullshitters out there), it was helpful in reshaping my attitude toward life, in general. This year, I am using the same mentality with my resolution to “take what I deserve”.  I came to this resolution only yesterday, so I was a bit late to the punch, but this  notion stems largely from an entrepreneurial spirit.  In business and in the work place, women (myself included) will often short-change themselves of what they deserve – whether it be in negotiating a salary or simply opening an email with a timid turn of phrase (Dear Bob, I’m just writing to…). I’m definitely guilty of this, so I hope to practice my new motto year round, both in – and out- of the office.

Below are a few other takes on a new year’s resolution-  some are short, some are simple and some could even be classified as un-resolutions:

A simple way to embrace the randomness of life in 2016:

“I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions any more. When you get older, you become wiser. You realize that all of your dreams and plans are constantly altered by sudden events and surprises. I used to get very disappointed by unexpected things in life, but I have started to enjoy them now. When I drive, it’s pretty much the same. I love listening to music, so I just turn the radio on and I enjoy the flow of songs. I prefer that rather than playing a specific cd or playlist. Randomness can be fun and inspirational. Also, when it comes to designing new shoes, unexpected elements play a very interesting role. I am at a stage in life where I accept what happens with serenity. I don’t have preset goals anymore. It is the best attitude to get good results and less upset.”  Giuseppe Zanotti – The Coveteur

 

newyear new you

This list of achievable life resolutions will make for a healthier, happier you in 2016:

9 Super Easy New Year’s Resolutions That You Should Actually Do

 hisotry of lo0ve

Or this to-do list that everyone should attempt, at least once a year. A few stand outs from the list include:

* Rearranging your space. Even if it’s just moving the TV or changing the orientation of your bed, a shift in the layout of the room you spend the most time in actually does change the way you perceive it.

* Taking yourself out to dinner. Eating alone is often very calming (if you can get past the cultural notion that you should always eat with somebody, and I’m not saying you shouldn’t!). But eat dinner by yourself, at a restaurant, at least once. You’ll see what I mean.

* Visiting a new city. Even if it’s small and only 30 minutes away, do what you can manage. See what hole-in-the-wall bars and small town diners and quirky coffee shops exist in places you wouldn’t have thought to look.

And, finally, this thought provoking piece about freedom and what that means in the context of a new year.

birds

 

May your new year’s resolutions provide you with  everything you deserve to achieve a healthy and happy 2016!

 

Leave a Reply