Resolutions don't need to be painful promises we won't really keep! Last year I resolved to pursue some of the interests/hobbies I profess to like but had never attended any of the club meetings and it was great! I learned more about bonsai and woodcarving and met some nice folks!
This year, I've got a few new ideas to add to the mix. Feel free to personalize to your interests.
- If you have an hobby/interest you are meaning to pursue, become a member of a club of your interest. Great stress buster and your life will be fuller! Don't wait until you retire to start a hobby! You may never do so!
- Remove one item of clothing or shoes (that you haven't worn over the last year) from your closet or drawer, once a week, 4 each month or at least twelve pieces total, and donate them to a shelter, church or thrift shop. You will have less junk around, more room for the stuff you wear and someone may benefit!
- Eat breakfast every day. You may want to choose a deadline time and even set a timer, if you'd like. Have easy meals ready if you're not a morning person: yogurt, hard boiled eggs on a piece of toast with a little slice of cheese is a good start! Think Asian and consider having a light, healthy soup instead of a coffee to warm you up in the morning and get you started!
- I am a book nut. If you are too, you probably have lots of books everywhere. This year I am going to sort them out and donate my unused books to my local libraries. Even if they don't use them in their collection, they can sell them at their used book sales and raise money for themselves. I am including cookbooks! I have at least 50 that I rarely use anymore due to the ease of the internet, so out they go this year! I will keep one recipe box that I will add any one of a kind recipes I want to keep!
- For my health, I will try to eat only at my chair at the table. No other room (including the computer room) and I will not multitask while I eat. Mindless eating makes one overeat!
- Don't deny yourself snacks but make a promise to yourself. If you didn't do some form of real exercise that day (daily life doesn't count) NO dessert. If you want a snack, just exercise before you have it. Many times after exercising, you won't want the calories and will forgo the snack! Double win!
- Use a timer at your recreational computer use . Choose a maximum amount of time you are allowed to use your computer at one sitting. Time can really slip away at computers and can waste your precious time and life! Limit it as recreation! If you need to use your computer for work, set the timer every 45 minutes and take a short break when it rings. Sitting is bad for us!
- Don't offer your opinion about everything. From Facebook to co-workers personal lives, there seems to be a trend to tell others what THEY need to do. Resist it. Your opinion is like your fingerprint, uniquely yours. Part of the fun of life is discovering the answers ourselves. This includes your adult children~just trust them.
- Keep a little pad or journal next to your bed and write down two things you were grateful for each day. Keeps one mindful of our blessings.
- Visit someplace new this year. A local historic site, a state or local park that you've never been to. Open your world to a new place and experience.
Remember that YOU will largely determine if it's going to be a Happy New Year!
