We all have at least one or two things in life that aren’t quite going the way they’re supposed to. The new year is usually a time when we focus on turning these things around with resolutions. It is easy enough to decide to make changes. But when it comes down to it, dieting just isn’t much fun. And exercise isn’t that easy, at first. And is dull and dreary January really the right time to be getting rid of life’s little indulgences?
For some, it is a true test of willpower. And for others, it may be time to replace ambitious goals with something easier. In order to help you decide which resolutions are worth keeping and which may be too demanding, we rank them by difficulty level – and suggest easier alternatives. Let’s get started.
#5 Eat Healthier
“Really”, You might think. “This is the easiest one out of 5?” Absolutely. There’s a delightful variety of food out there that is both delicious and healthy. So switching to a healthier diet doesn’t have to mean chewing on celery stalks all year. In fact, it can mean that you get to spoil yourself a little more than usual. Cutting down sugar? Excellent, now treat yourself to some healthy snacks. Major change in diet? Buy some gorgeous recipe books to get started. After a week or two, you will already start feeling like you don’t need sweets to get those energy levels up.
The lighter alternative: When you want to buy sweets, get fruit or a jar of good honey instead. You will quickly get used to the replacement treats and feel like they taste just as good, while not spiking your blood sugar quite as much.
#4 Learn a new skill or hobby
With so many Youtube tutorials available for free, it is easy and fun to learn a new hobby. There are also plenty of free events and workshops available if you prefer hands-on learning. Sample a few things if undecided about what skill you would like to learn, then get going. Remember that the journey is a reward in itself!
The lighter alternative: You don’t need to commit to a completely new hobby straight away. Ask your friends to show you how to do their hobby for an evening. Then you can decide if it’s something that’s fun for you and you would like to continue doing in future.
#3 Save more or spend less
Our wallets feel a little too light after all the festivities. It can be daunting to try and restore balance in our spending habits after the shopping frenzy of previous months. Besides, the January sales are encouraging continued spending. Right now is a good time to set up a new budget for the year. Cut out the extras, and focus on what matters going forward.
The lighter alternative: Next time you clean up at home, pay attention to what kind of things are cluttering your home. Donate extra clothes to charity. Give away unneeded items. De-cluttering will help you gain clarity on what you need to buy and what you want to steer away from in the new year.
#2 Improve your career prospects
If you are feeling stuck in your job, do not be discouraged. There are plenty of things you can do, from setting achievable short-term goals, to getting more active with your networking efforts. The main thing is to keep your own progress in mind, and contribute in a way that will grow your professional portfolio.
The lighter alternative: If you’re not ready to make big changes, resolve to read a couple of career-oriented blog articles or listen to podcasts twice a week. Anything to get you out of a professional rut, and hopefully inspire you for greater future achievements.
#1 Quit a bad habit
Quitting something addictive like smoking or drinking is always a big challenge. Enlist all the help you can get, and make sure to tell your peer group what you’re up to. They should be nothing less than understanding and encouraging of your wise decision. Check in with yourself, and make sure to reward yourself for making progress.
The lighter alternative: If you are unable to quit, then simply cut down. Sometimes, small steps in the right direction lead to great positive long-term change. Remember that asking for help is always a positive thing.
We wish you the best of luck in achieving all your goals for this year!
