17 New Years Resolutions You Won’t Want to Abandon
Every year, it’s the same cycle: make a New Year’s resolution, stick to it for a few weeks, and then abandon or forget about it when life or some other intangible entity gets in the way. Statistics show that most goals set before the new year peter out by February. But why?
In an article written for Forbes, licensed therapist and career coach Kathy Caprino suggests that many people are afraid of and entirely resistant to achieving big goals; therefore, you simply won’t let yourself accomplish them. Perhaps the key to completing New Year’s resolutions successfully is to make less lofty goals and center them around things most important to you.
This year is the year you resolve to finish what you started, and Merry Maids® is here to offer 17 attainable New Year’s resolution ideas that you won’t want to abandon.
1. Invest in Yourself
Me-time is essential to living a healthier life, and you can increase energy and productivity and reduce stress. According to wellness expert Chris Salem, you can make yourself more valuable to others when you take the time to take care of yourself first.
2. Eat Veggies More Regularly
Eating vegetables regularly is a resolution so simple this is probably the first time you considered it. Do you get enough nutrition with every meal? Are you incorporating healthy leafy greens into your diet? If not, try adding a small serving of veggies to your plate for dinner. And, who knows, the rest of your family may follow suit.
3. Save More Money
Everyone wants more money, right? But do you have the tools and strategies to make it happen? You can change old financial habits or create new ones to help you get ahead next year. According to U.S. News, you can achieve this by:
- Budgeting
- Paying yourself
- Reviewing your subscriptions
- Investing your money
4. Unplug from Technology More Often
We’re all guilty of spending a little too much time on smartphones, tablets, and other various technologies. Let’s make 2022 the year you unplug more often from technology, including TV. We know how hard it can be to stop binge-watching your favorite Netflix or Disney+ series for a few hours, but Adventist Health says unplugging from technology can improve mental health, reduce stress, and help you be more present.
5. Take Up a New Hobby
Today is the day you try your hand at a Bob Ross-esque landscape or put together that 1,500-piece puzzle that’s been tucked in your closet all summer. Exploring a new hobby can help you foster new social connections, cope with stress, and structure your time.
6. Read a New Book Every Couple of Months
Are you the family bibliophile, preferring to pick up a suspenseful mystery or juicy romance than turn on the TV? We thought we recognized a fellow book lover. With so little time last year to do the things you enjoy, set aside time in the evening to read a chapter of a new book. Put together a reading list of 4-5 books to start and work your way through it. It doesn’t matter when you finish the list; just make a point to finish.
7. Become a Plant Parent
Indoor house plants have the power to enhance the look and feel of your space and improve concentration and productivity by 15%, according to an NBC News article. So, you don’t have a green thumb? No worries! Start with a snake plant or aloe vera, as they’re difficult to kill when you begin your journey as a plant parent.
8. Create a Cleaning Schedule
Whether you’re resolving to break bad cleaning habits, clean more often, or delegate cleaning tasks to the rest of the family, it’s vital to create a cleaning schedule that you can stick to. As your dedicated cleaning professionals, we’d love to help you kick off the new year right with a routine that requires little to no effort on your part.
9. Visit a State or Country You’ve Never Been
A survey conducted by AARP found that 81% of participants experienced health benefits post traveling, including a positive mood. The best part about taking up some traveling in 2022 is you don’t have to go abroad to reap these benefits. You can travel to a neighboring state or have a staycation near where you live.
10. Drink More Water
Twentieth-century poet W.H. Auden once said, “Thousands have lived without love; none without water.” While most would prefer to live with both, you can’t deny the importance of water and recognize how little you probably drink throughout the day. An easy New Year’s resolution to make for next year is to simply drink more water. Start with 20-30 ounces and work your way up. Your body will thank you in the long run.
11. Incorporate More Organizational Storage
Keeping your home tidy is virtually impossible without some type of organizational system. Starting in 2022, incorporate more organizational storage for the most chaotic spaces in your home, and you’ll be able to see and feel a difference.
12. Purchase a New Outfit Every Other Month
Can you honestly say that you allow yourself to go into your favorite store and buy that one thing you’ve been eyeing for weeks? With kids, a household, and other financial responsibilities, you may forgo purchasing an outfit to handle more seemingly important tasks. This new year, treat yourself to a new wardrobe item because you absolutely deserve it.
13. Start a Skincare Routine
Do you want to avoid wrinkles, prevent acne, and keep your skin glowing? Implement a skincare routine into your bedtime ritual. Dermatologists at Skin Center of South Miami suggest some of the following methods to keep your skin in excellent condition:
- Wash with a gentle cleanser
- Use a toner to help smooth and calm your skin
- Remember to always use 30 SPF sunscreen
- Exfoliate your skin after using a cleanser
14. Speak Positive Affirmations
Grab a pen and a Post-It note and write these words: “Today is my day. I can do anything I put my mind to,” and stick it to your mirror. Seeing positive words to jumpstart your day can help you focus on the good things in your life instead of the not-so-great aspects. According to The Conflict Center, an abundance of positive affirmations can help you feel more in control of your life and build self-esteem.
15. Redecorate Your Home
If there were ever a good time to change up your home’s décor, 2022 is it! Plenty of flat-rate interior design websites will help you step outside of your comfort zone but incorporate elements you love to create a style all your own.
16. Try a Subscription Box
Did you know there are subscription boxes for practically everything? From perfumes and doggie treats to fishing and themed boxes, like we said, there is a box for virtually anything you want or can dream up. Try out a unique and fun subscription box this year and potentially find a new hobby!
17. Start Learning a New Language
Parlez-vous français? Hablas español? No? If you think it’s too late to learn a new language, we’re here to tell you you’re mistaken. Sure, it may be challenging at first, but anything you’ve never done probably didn’t start smoothly. But once you get the hang of it and start speaking more fluently, you open yourself up to more international travel and friends.
Now that you have a plethora of resolutions to choose from, let our experts take the cleaning off your hands so that you can check off your goals this year.
Call (888) 490-4227 or find a Merry Maids location near you.
