Get a boyfriend, spend less money on coffee, walk the dog every day….Everyone has specific and personal resolutions each new year, but here are a few that I thought we should all have every year.
1. Make health your number one priority.
Whether it means exercising more, meditating, eating less sugar, drinking wheatgrass juice or simply taking a walk, we don’t have anything when we don’t have our health. In addition to the worry and stress that we create for our family, our energy for life and our own state of mind suffers when we don’t feel great.
Visit: 10 Ideas to Get You Exercising
2. Stay close to your family
I didn’t understand this when I was younger, but it is undeniably true that our parents and family can always be counted on to support us when there is no one else in our corner. Though screening phone calls is easy, I never miss an opportunity to talk to my family members when they call. They are my biggest fans and I am theirs.
Visit: Stay Connected to Loved Ones
3. Surround yourself with good people and be good to them
Good friends have flaws, but they rarely try to make us feel bad about ourselves. If our friends criticize more than support us, lie and betray us, or can’t be happy for us, it’s time to say good-bye. If we are those friends, it’s time to change.
Visit: Ten Qualities Every Friend Should Have
4. Volunteer
As a first generation American, I am most impressed by this country’s willingness to help others without seeking financial gain. Let’s be honest…doing something for someone else feels good, especially if it’s a cause that is close to our hearts. I think that it’s ok to be selfish and seek satisfaction from volunteering because we are helping others in the process.
Visit: VolunteerMatch
5. Simplify your life
There is so much stress in our lives and some of it can be avoided. Whether it means organizing our home, canceling all those email subscriptions or giving up an activity that isn’t fulfilling, having less chaos around us allows us to focus on things that are important.
Visit: The Simple Me
6. Do what you love
I recently left a job that I had for five years because I was miserable the entire time I worked there. Money is important, but there is something to be said about people who follow their dreams, who are inspired and passionate, and who can go home after a long day and still be excited about waking up in the morning.
Visit: The Five Things You Need to Know About Finding the Work You Love
7. Become an expert
It always feels great to be the “go to person” when we are knowledgeable, experienced and passionate about a topic. Becoming an expert in an area that interests us, whether it’s table tennis or exotic teas, can lead to job opportunities, new friends and personal satisfaction.
Visit: How to be an Expert
8. Forget regrets
Our mistakes make us stronger and define us. If our actions are centered on good intentions, careful consideration and honesty, we can look back on disappointments as growth opportunities.
Visit: How to Avoid Regret
9. Smile more
Without a doubt, smiling leads to positive attention, but there are hundreds of other social and health benefits. If lowering blood pressure isn’t a good enough reason, then we can choose to do it because it makes us more attractive!
Visit: Benefits of Smiling
Are there any other important resolutions that I missed? Leave your comments and let’s make a more complete list together!
Happy New Year!
