Not this year! ThriftyGrl has some tricks up her sleeve to hopefully help make those New Year's resolutions fun, less stressful, and maybe a bit exciting!
First of all, try to change your way of thinking. No one can force you into a resolution. If you don't want to have one, then by golly, you don't have to have one! It's not up to others to make decisions for you. You shouldn't worry about what other people say, think, or do. As my Aunt Linda always tells me, "It's all about you!"
Now if there is something you want to work on, change, or improve, then good for you! Try to keep your thinking positive and upbeat. I like to think of each new year as a fresh start; my mantra is always, "New Year, New You!" This thinking always gets me excited and geared up to tackle my list of goals.
Speaking of goals... Don't think of resolutions as impossible, steadfast rules. Instead, make small obtainable goals. Break each resolution into goals that you can reach so that you can remain positive and feeling good about your accomplishments. For instance, if you are looking to lose weight, don't put losing all of it on your shoulders at once. Telling your self you have to lose 50 pounds is a tall order and a lot of pressure. Telling yourself you want to lose weight so that you can lower your blood pressure, wear that bathing suit you've been eyeing, etc. is a much better goal. Or break up that 50 pound goal into small segments (ie: 5 pounds a month for 10 months). And don't forget the rewards. Of course weight loss shouldn't be rewarded with food, but it can be rewarded with a new pair of jeans, a new piece of workout equipment you've been wanting, or an adventure (say, a weekend away with the girls).
Now I know that many people want a resolution to work toward, but often have trouble thinking of something that they really need/want to strive for. Take a walk in the fresh air or some time in a quiet room to reflect on the past year and it's events. Were there events/situations that occurred that you wished could have gone differently? Or maybe you received some health news and want to work on improving it?
Still need help deciding? Here are a few resolution ideas that may help you get started on your own...
Goal: Decrease stress.
Some methods to try:
In hard situations, stop and take a deep breath.Goal: Get out of debt.
Always remember that "This too shall pass".
Get plenty of rest.
When others are mean or stressing you out, remember that it is more than likely about them, not you.
If you stress levels are at an alarming high, remember that there is nothing wrong with going to speak with someone (counselor, psychiatrist, etc.) This does not mean you are weird or something is wrong with you. You may find this very helpful!
Some methods to try:
Be patient. Remember that you didn't get into debt overnight, and you surely won't be out of debt overnight (unless of course, you come into a windfall of money, which is highly unlikely).Goal: Be healthier.
As scary as it is, you must first know how much money you have, how much money you owe, and how you are spending your money. I know it may feel easier to "not know", but trust me, this is very important.
Develop a method of keeping track of your money. All of it. ThriftyGuy and I have been using a bill tracker that we made years ago and it has been a life saver.
Adopt a method of paying off debt that makes sense for you and your situation. Whether it's paying off your highest debt, lowest debt, or debt with the most interest first, something is better than nothing. ThriftGuy and I came from five figure debt (yes, you read right) and eliminated it by using the snowball payment method. Meaning, we paid off our smallest debt, applied what we would have paid for that each month to our next lowest debt and paid that off, and so on.
Get rid of your credit cards. I know this seems impossible. We used to use ours ridiculously. We didn't want to cut them up in case of an emergency, but we knew we needed a credit card inttervention. So we locked them up in a safe and vowed to never use them again. And we haven't. It used to be second nature to use them. Now it feels dirty and wrong to. This was the best decision we could have ever made!
Put any and all extra money toward your debt. Bonuses, extra money on your paycheck, etc. This works magically. Your debt will be gone before you know it!
Live as strictly as possible so you can pay off your debt and keep reminding yourself why you are doing so. It has taken ThriftyGuy and I about 9 years to pay off all of our debt. Nine long years. But we did it. And now we can go out and have fun again (as well as save for our future!)
Some methods to try:
Don't go on a crazy strict diet. This will lead to failure. Start out by eating healthier and working toward your ultimate desired diet.These were just a couple of examples of some resolutions. As you are aware, there are tons and tons of possibilities out there... And of course, remember that you do not have to have a resolution. There is nothing wrong with just enjoying the New Year and being you!
Have fun in the kitchen. Experiment and spice it up! If your healthy food looks good and tastes delicious, you will be more than motivated to carry on!
Don't go from being sedentary to workout guru in a day (or week). Start out at an appropriate level. For instance, don't strive for marathon sessions on the get-go. Try a goal of walking for so many minutes a day, so many days a week and work up from there. Remember, some movement is better than none at all.
Have friends, family, or your significant other join you. It'll be fun and it won't feel like exercise.
Make sure you are taking your meds as prescribed, that they are not expired, and that you check in with your doctor as need be. Being stubborn/bullheaded helps no one. Prevention is the key to being healthy.
Make sure your immunizations are up to date. Yes, even adults need shots too! They may scare you, you may think they are "worthless", or you may not have a lot of money, but let me tell you - there is a reason they are recommended!
If you are short on cash or don't have insurance, don't sweat it! There are clinics that provide healthcare on a sliding scale fee basis. Also, important vaccinations are often discounted/free. Be sure to check around!
Never, and I mean NEVER stop taking your meds due to financial reasons. We see this a ton in the ER; people very, very sick because they couldn't afford their meds. Drug companies have programs to help customers, doctors often times have samples for patients, and there are many medications on the $4 list. Before you give up, be sure to check all of your options!
It's very old school advice, but it is the best thing you can do to remain healthy: be sure to get plenty of sleep and drink plenty of fluids!
I hope this article was helpful! Feel free to leave a comment and let us know what your New Year's resolution is and how you plan to work on it! We'd love to hear all about them and maybe offer another method or two to help you reach your goals! : )
