Turning Your New Year’s Resolution into a Lifelong Evolution

Another New Year, another failed resolution—you’ve made so many decisions and plans in the past, but didn’t quite manage to commit to most of them. Let’s face it, the motivation we feel when we’re tipsy at a party and full of holiday spirit doesn’t always last. The inspiration to make a big change can dwindle quickly if we don’t cultivate it, but fortunately it doesn’t have to be that way. Are you wondering what kind of resolutions will actually help you change your life for the better and how to really stick to them forever? Then take a look at our list of tips and start turning things around for yourself.

Get out of your comfort zone

Make this your very first memorable experience in 2019—do something you’ve always wanted to do but were afraid to try. Perhaps it’s something as simple as changing your clothing style, or maybe it’s asking an attractive person out for a date. Take a deep breath, and just do it, push yourself out of your comfort zone. Before you begin, vow to not get discouraged by failure or rejection, and be proud you actually dared to be bold. This will show you what you’re capable of and inspire you to do even more incredible things.

Commit to small, steady fitness goals

Most of us know we should probably be exercising more, but committing yourself to suddenly becoming a skilled athlete overnight never goes well. Instead of promising you’ll lose ten pounds as soon as possible, try setting up smaller goals: always take the stairs instead of the elevator, ride a bike to work, or start a very simple exercise regimen that you can do while you watch TV. Become fit habit by small habit.

Think about moving

If you’re still living with your folks, it’s probably the time to start looking for your own place. It’s difficult to grow into a capable, independent person if you don’t have a little corner of the world to call your own, so make plans to find an apartment, even if it’s barely bigger than a shoebox. In countries like Australia, it’s a lot less common to live with parents after graduating from college, and most young adults from big cities go on to find their own lot in life. They usually hire professional Sydney removalists and simply move from one place to the next quickly. Changing your surroundings this way forces you to stop relying on others and start discovering more about yourself. As resolutions go, this one should be at the top of your list.

Start reading easy novels

If you keep promising you’ll start reading more but you never seem to stick with it, it’s possible that you’re reading the wrong books. You don’t actually have to reach for a doorstopper like War and Peace from the get-go—why not start with something a little less time-consuming? A romance novel or a thriller might not be as intellectually uplifting as certain classics, but fast-paced, fun books will both entertain you and get you into the habit of reading. Not to mention that even simple books are still interesting and valuable.

Apologize and forgive

Harboring grudges is no way to go through life because it makes you into a bitter, miserable person. For your own sake, find it in your heart to forgive those who have wronged you and move on. You don’t have to be friends with them ever again, but forgiving and forgetting will help you move on with your life. Similarly, if you’ve done something you’re not proud of and made a person feel bad, apologize. It’s a very easy and a very difficult resolution at the same time, but it will help you start the New Year in the right manner.

Start listing things that went well during the week

We often tend to focus on the negatives and forget all about the good things that are happening in our life. It’s almost like we’re training ourselves to only notice bad things, and it’s time we started doing the opposite. Write down the good things that happen during each day, and whenever a family member or a friend asks you about how your life is going, tell them about those nice things instead of letting out a string of complaints. This is a good way to keep your motivation strong even after all the holiday partying is over.

Eat veggies at least once a day

This is another easy resolution that you can easily incorporate into your day. If you can’t have home cooked meals every day, make sure to always have veggies you can easily chop up and make into a salad to go with your food. Pick leafy greens like spinach, romaine salad, collard greens, kale, and arugula and mix this with tomatoes and cucumbers.

Here’s one more short tip before we go: write down everything you want to accomplish next year, and then spend ten minutes each day contributing to one of the goals from your list. This will ensure they’re always on your mind, and that you’re accomplishing them at a steady pace. Now go celebrate, and allow yourself to get excited about new things that are coming your way.