I have a love/Hate relationship with Resolutions. I’ve made a few that I’ve kept – 100% BIG ones like the day I quite smoking or giving up meat for a year. The thing is… they’ve never landed on New Years. They happened when it seemed ‘Right”.
But – you do YOU! Thinking of a Resolution to start 2021 on the right foot? Here’s a list from InStyle you may want to check out!
1. Find an Excercise You LIKE.
According to Elisha Contner Wilkins, MS, LMFT, CEDS-S, Executive Director of Veritas Collaborative, “When it comes to exercise (or movement or activity as I prefer to call it), it’s equally important that we find a way to move our bodies that we not only look forward to, but that brings us joy,” Wilkins says. “Many associate movement with going to a gym and sweating versus choosing something that brings a smile to their face.” So this year, consider focusing on whatever type of movement feels fun.
2. Hide Yourself on Zoom.
2020 has seen a spike in those seeking Cosmetic Surgeries, and there’s nothing wrong with getting cosmetic treatments if you want them. But if seeing your face on a screen eight hours a day has left you feeling self-conscious or hyper-aware of how you look and you feel uncomfortable about it, adjust your video conferencing settings so that you no longer see yourself during video calls. I couldn’t stare at me
3. How are Those 2020 Addictions Doing?
Wether it’s Wine, Pot or (sweet, sweet) Tequila – too much of ANYTHING is bad for you, and many of us have pushed our appetites out further in 2020. Dry January is a popular New Year’s resolution. This and other methods of examining your relationship with substances can clarify a whole heck of a lot about your life. Even if you don’t want to commit to a full Dry January, there are a lot of other ways to put this resolution into practice. “I would very much suggest taking the initiative to plan the social calendar for your friend group and come up with ideas that don’t require a bottle of wine or cocktails,” Sheinbaum says. I’ve started “Sober dates” just for me where I read or do a puzzle. The Tequila WILL be there on the weekend.
4. Have a Social Media Enema
No Matter how thick you feel your skin is, a Brigade of dedicated social Media Trolls can wear it down. You shouldn’t read the comments. Ever. So consider giving your feeds a cleansing of sorts. Oh, and this might be the year to stop social media stalking your ex. Just sayin’.
5. Make Food a Center Point in Your Life
Are you eating on the run? Is guilt an immediate consequence to a meal? Make Meal preperation an event in itself, Google that recipe – try something new – make it a date night! If time is a constraint, there are a score of “Food Box” services that will “dish” up the raw ingrediants for you!
6. Stop letting Your Email Push You Around.
No need to get to inbox zero if that’s not your thing. But most people have gone through some foundational shifts since the pandemic began. “The person you were back in March, more than likely, is not the person you are now,” says Monisha Bhanote, M.D., FCAP, an integrative physician.
Her argument: Now is a great time to evaluate what’s serving you and what isn’t, and your email inbox is a great place to start, especially if you have thousands of unread emails. If your email is loaded with advertisements for stores you no longer shop at, newsletters and notifications you don’t read, or follow up emails from webinars, seminars, or courses you’ll never take—use that unsubscribe function. “The reason I highly suggest this is for your own mental well-being,” Bhanote says. “The overwhelm of seeing the little mail icon on your phone and the number of unread emails can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety. Place value on your time, energy, and overall well-being and continue that trend well into the new year.”
7. Go Toppless?
“Make space for the people you really care about by implementing the ‘topless test’,” suggests Naomi Torres-Mackie, Ph.D., Head of Research at The Mental Health Coalition. What is the topless test, you ask? Only spend time (online or safely in-person) with friends you would take your top off in front of. (If you wouldn’t take your top off in front of anyone, you switch up the test to something that makes more sense for you. “For example, it could be people would you feel comfortable talking to with your mouth full of food, calling when you need to cry, or another benchmark that tells you this is someone you trust and feel good around,” Torres-Mackie says.)
“This might sound silly but can make a big difference. Right now, a lot of us are fatigued with trying to figure out who we want to spend time with,” Torres-Mackie notes. Instead of getting caught up in who you are “supposed” to catch up with, give yourself permission to say no and make space for those you truly care about. “Deciding when to do that can be hard, so this provides a quick framework to simplify things,” she adds.
8. Make YOUR Space YOUR Space.
Maybe you don’t feel like doing a bunch of inner work this year. That’s totally fine — you can also focus on your outer experience. “Our space and environment directly impact how we feel,” says Lenore Kantor, empowerment & leadership coach of Growth Warrior. So take some time to look at your physical space and whether it reflects where you want to be and what you want to achieve now, Kantor recommends.
For instance, how does being in your WFH office feel? Is it supporting your productivity and growth? If you want a new relationship and more love, how is your bedroom set up? “Our experiences can often mirror where we are in our lives. If you’re feeling bogged down, now may be a perfect opportunity to declutter and clear out old things that are no longer serving you.” And by the way, this resolution isn’t necessarily about buying new stuff. Sure, you could add some new pieces if that’s what you want to do that — but it’s not required.
9. Buy Clothes That Fit NOW.
If your body has changed recently, it can be frustrating to realize that some of your old favorites no longer fit right. Unless there’s serious sentimental value, now could be a great time to shed items that no longer work for your body as it is today, says Peg Sadie, a psychotherapist and resilience coach. Hanging on to constant reminders of unmet goals (or times when your habits were less healthy than they are now, for instance, for those in recovery from eating disorders) can take a toll on your psyche. “Donating them can help silence your inner critic and make space for clothes you actually feel and look great in, making it a win-win,” Sadie adds.
10. Start Therapy. Seriously, My Therapist Told me This.
After this year, there couldn’t be a better time to begin therapy. “There are always things to talk about, especially as we reflect on 2020 and the major shifts that have occurred,” Sarah Levine-Miles, a licensed clinical social worker who works with MotherFigure. “Taking an hour out of the week to reflect and discuss how you are doing with a professional who can help guide you and shift your perspective is invaluable.”
