Now is the time when we start vowing to make changes in our lives and setting goals for the year ahead. And while growing and evolving into the best version of yourself is always a good thing, setting unrealistic expectations and putting unnecessary pressure on yourself is not. So in addition to dreaming big–or maybe setting one or two major goals–make sure to fill your New Year’s resolutions list with easy, attainable aspirations. Small everyday life tweaks will not only make you feel more accomplished and happy this coming year, they might help make 2019 your best yet. Ahead, 15 realistic resolutions to put on your list ASAP.
Meditate. We’re not talking about becoming a zen master. But downloading a meditation app like Calm, Headspace or Insight Timer and committing to just a few minutes of mindfulness every day (you can do as little as five) can make a significant difference in your life. You may find yourself less stressed and more focused. (Yes, please.)
Plan ahead for big events. If you know you’ll be moving, graduating, going to prom, or getting married, start making to-do lists about how to prepare. Putting everything on paper will help it all feel less overwhelming and prevent a lot of unnecessary last-minute-scrambling stress.
Get out of your comfort zone. This can be as minor as taking a different route to work, trying a new workout, or going to dinner alone. Shaking things up helps you feel more alive and more aware of the world around you, and presents an opportunity to learn and grow.
Walk and take the stairs when you can. Do your body good by moving more. Small changes like walking to the store instead of driving or skipping the elevator for the steps can boost your energy and your sense of accomplishment. (It’s the little things, right?)
Speaking of accomplishments, write yours down. It’s easy to fall into a pattern of dwelling on what you haven’t done–instead focus on what you have done. (You can opt also to write what you learned from your “failures.”) Whether you nailed a work project or you organized your closet, give yourself a good old pat on the back. Bonus: next New Year’s you’ll get to look back on all the great things you did–and learned–in 2019.
Take social media breaks. Yes it can be done! Whether it’s a half a day, a weekend, a whole week or a month, breaking up with IG etc. for a period of time can help you feel more present and connected in real life. (Plus, you’ll appreciate it more when you return.)
Move your social media apps off your home screen. Author Jessica Abo tells Women’s Health that moving social media apps into a folder, as opposed to having them right in your line of vision when you look at your phone, will help you spend a little less time comparing your life to others.
Get your check ups. Your health is priority number one, so keep up to date on your regular check-ups. You can even try scheduling all of your necessary doctor appointments at the beginning of the year to get this task out of the way and on your calendar.
Buy more plants (and get more 02). A little greenery can liven up your home and lower your stress levels. Good Housekeeping reports a study found that actively caring for plants calmed the autonomic nervous system and lowered blood pressure. So go green in 2019!
Prep one meal or main dish a week. Meal prepping is great for saving money and staying healthy, but it’s not always the easiest feat to accomplish. So set small goals like cutting up and bagging veggies for snacks, hard boiling a bunch of eggs, or slow cooking a big batch of soup for the week.
Unfollow your exes. All of them. Moving on is a lot easier when you don’t know where your ex is going on vacation or what his/her new S.O. ate for breakfast. It’s just not necessary. Hide, block, unfollow; do whatever you need to to avoid the “compare and despair” trap. And then keep looking forward–because that’s the direction you’re going anyway.
Set a budget and stick to it. Overspending is easy when you’re not seeing the outward flow of money. Try calculating your weekly necessities (lunch, gas money etc), then take out the right amount of cash for the week and only spend whats in your wallet (when cash is an option). You’ll be more accountable to yourself and more aware of your spending.
Get better sleep. The cumulative benefits of regular restful sleep can’t be overstated. Make your bedroom a tranquil space by declaring it a device-free zone (use an actual alarm clock rather than your phone)–at least after bedtime. Try getting to bed at the same time each night to establish a regular sleep cycle, too.
Embrace JOMO. Forget Fear of Missing Out and let yourself experience the Joy of Missing Out. Constantly being connected can leave you craving time for yourself–so take it! You don’t have to say yes to every invitation; a balanced life is about just that–balance.
Join The Conversation (0)