The top 10 New Year’s resolutions you should start today
With the New Year fast approaching, now is the perfect time to start planning out how you are going to be the best version of yourself this coming year. We all have our own version of what success means, but typically it involves living a happy, healthy, financially comfortable life in which we feel fulfillment, passion, and love. But what many forget while working towards their success is self-care. With these ten easy tools below, I promise that you will feel right on track to being a better version of yourself.
Meditate
Before you roll your eyes or think that meditation isn’t for you, download Inscape on your phone and try at least 3 of their quick and easy guided meditations. Not only is meditation good for decreasing anxiety, stress, and improving cardiovascular health, but it also trains you to think more clearly, get better sleep, and be more present. I recommend meditating right when you wake up, in the middle of the day when you feel yourself getting stressed, and before you go to bed. Setting reminders on your phone will help you remember to keep this habit. See how you can enter the Inscape giveaway and win a free year subscription plus $500 worth of amazing health and wellness products. Scroll to the bottom of this post to see how you can enter.
Read more
I purposefully didn’t read a single book for years because I was addicted to working and viewed it as a waste of time. Then my dad gave me a few books that completely changed my view on this. Taking the time to enjoy a good book is a life changing habit that helps improve your memory, increase your intelligence, and relax. I recommend starting out with an easy read like Wisdom & Wordplay, Change Your Mind, or Make The Most of Today.
Organize everything and cleanse
Taking a few days to completely organize your life is underrated. Getting and staying organized can help you in all areas of your life. But there are many elements to being organized.
The break down
- I like to start by organizing and cleansing my closet – this will help you when getting dressed in the morning. I organize my closet by color and item. So all dresses in one area, tops in another, pants in another, etc.
- Then move onto every other area in your home, every drawer, and organize them.
- If you don’t need something anymore or it isn’t important to you, donate or sell it.
- Then organize your laptop files and folders so that you can find documents more efficiently. Delete duplicate files that are taking up space.
A decluttered house = a decluttered mind.
Set goals – yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily
I don’t know what I would do without post-its, calendars, and my to do lists – but I know I would feel very lost and not accomplish as much. Setting goals helps you stay focused on things that matter and help you accomplish your dreams.
I like to physically write out my goals and how I plan on achieving them and then just to be safe, write them in an Excel sheet as well.
To stay on top of this buy a cute notebook and use Todoist which is an app that reminds you to finish tasks that you set for yourself via email.
Quality sleep
Another thing my parents were right about, but I didn’t think was necessary was finding a quality mattress for quality sleep. When I first moved to NYC, I didn’t think sleep was important and purposefully kept an uncomfortable mattress so that I wouldn’t be tempted to sleep in or spend hours in bed. Looking back, woah what a psycho. I cannot stress the importance of a high quality mattress and sleep. I have so much more clarity and energy and it shows. Some amazing mattresses to consider are Nectar and Tomorrow Sleep.
Drink more water
I struggle with this one, but I know how crucial staying hydrated is to your health and wellness so I’m promising myself to get better at it this year. Here a a few tips that I am holding myself accountable for.
- Set reminders on my phone throughout the day to make sure I drink at least 8 glasses before going to bed.
- Drink a hot or cold glass of water with lemon first thing when I wake up. This helps reboot your digestive system and start your day off fresh.
- Carry around a large Smart Water bottle and refill it while out and about.
- Drink water instead of sodas at restaurants.
Get moving
Ideally try to get in 30 minutes to an hour a day of movement. Even if it’s just a 15 minute walk or doing some squats while you brush your teeth, try to get your body moving so you can get those endorphins. Take the stairs more often, walk instead of drive, go on a hike with a friend, or do some abs and stretching while watching TV. And yes, going out and dancing counts as cardio.
Spend at least 15 minutes outside
Fresh air and sunshine enhances your mood and makes you look and feel better. The best times to get some fresh air is during lunch or taking a walk in the evening to watch sunset. Fresh air and sunshine help clear out your lungs, gives you more energy, and a sharper mind.
Appreciate those who love and support you
Take time to look around and see who has really been there for you. Think about who has supported you and been a positive influence on your life. Let them know that you appreciate and love them. Maybe send a card, gift, flowers or just call them up to catch up.
Live and act with purpose
I think this is one of the most important life changes one can make.
Live and act with purpose.
Really take time to think about this. Really reflect and ask yourself questions. What are you truly passionate about? What do you lose sleep over? What makes you jump out of bed in the morning? What does your dream life look like?
Don’t go through life accepting things that you don’t desire. You deserve to reach your goals. You deserve to live your best life. You deserve to live out your purpose. So in order to live your best, fulfilling life, you must act with purpose and understand what it is that you’re passionate about. Then once you know what it is that you want in life, live and act accordingly. Make every moment count. Don’t waste time gossiping about things that don’t matter and surround yourself with other positive visionaries who you can thrive with.
You got this. The time is now. Be present and go follow your dreams.
If you have any tips please share them below in the comment section. Sharing is caring. <3