Getting Real About New Years Resolutions

Happy Thursday!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are enjoying the holidays with family and friends. I had the most amazing Christmas and I can’t believe it is already over! My boyfriend, dad, and I are heading to Colorado tomorrow for five days, which I am so excited for. I have been sick for the past couple of days so I’m hoping I can shake it off before our exciting vacation.

Today I am getting real about New Years resolutions because I have been reading so much negativity about this topic on social media. I have been seeing Facebook posts that say things like: “I hate when people make New Years resolutions, if you really want to do something, start today.” I think this is very negative and discouraging for everyone. I personally love New Years resolutions and believe it is the perfect time to make small or big changes. If people are willing to make healthy and positive changes, I think we should encourage them, not bash them.

On the other hand, I also think you should follow through with your resolutions if you are going to share them on social media, etc. When you say you are going to do something, people expect you to do it, which is why New Years resolutions oftentimes have a bad reputation. Just like everyone, I am just as guilty of not following through with resolutions sometimes. One year I said I was going to go on a paleo diet for the entire year. After two days, I realized how impractical the resolution was for me due to my busy schedule and lack of time to meal prep, so I quit. It is so easy to pick unrealistic goals because they sound realistic at the time.

With that being said, here are three tips to consider when creating resolutions:

1. Research what you are going to do before implementing it. Don’t just go on a fad diet without researching and understanding the logistics of it first.
2. Make sure what you are choosing to change or start doing will actually work for you. Don’t set unobtainable goals or goals that won’t fit your lifestyle. I always set small and big goals to achieve throughout the year as well.
3. Write down your goals, share them with others, and hold yourself accountable. The more people you tell and make changes with, the more likely you will live out what you said you were going to do. My boyfriend and I gave up soda this entire year together and it was so much easier to do when we were able to hold each other accountable.

Setting goals for the new year is always refreshing and motivating. Below are my goals for 2018, which I fully intend on living out for 2018.

1. Wake up 30 minutes before I start getting ready for work to read my devotional, pray, and spend time with me. I am always engaging with others throughout the day at work, on my computer, or on my phone, and I have realized I need to spend more time with myself.
2. Put 10% of every paycheck in my savings. Whenever I get a paycheck, I always think I should spend money on clothes, going out to eat, etc. and haven’t been saving, which I will start doing more of in 2018.
3. Lose 20 pounds. I know this is a huge goal, but I know I can do it once I put my mind to it. I joined Orange Theory in October and go two days a week, which I absolutely love. I also try to workout 3 days a week on my own. I am going to be more strict with my diet in 2018 and limit processed foods, added sugars, and limit alcohol/dessert intake.

Shop my favorite Caseapp accessories and Erin Condren Life Planner to stay organized throughout 2018!

I hope this helped you get motivated for the new year ahead!

Xoxo,

Jonica