My best friend and I always joked about how back-to-school season should be the time for New Year’s resolutions. It’s when you’re getting into a new routine with new people. The summer is fading into fall. Everything changes during this season for students, and I always get so excited to implement positive changes during this time.
The issue I’ve encountered time and time again with resolutions is making them too unachievable for myself. It’s unrealistic for me to start a drastically more strenuous lifestyle on New Year’s Day. It’s a dark, cold, random day in the middle of winter break, and after New Year’s Eve, I’m not sure I’ll wake up eager to hit the weights.
One popular solution I have found is to start earlier! Still being in the first half of November, we have a month and a half before 2024. Considering there will be no classes over Thanksgiving and winter break, it’s the perfect opening in one’s schedule to begin a new journey. Referring back to my workout goal, going to any gym now will be a lot less crowded than it will be the first week of January. It’ll be easier to maneuver and most likely less intimidating when there are fewer people present.
Now to address the importance of routine! If I were trying to switch from never working out to being in the gym five days a week, I can’t imagine this would be a smooth transition. However, if I were to start now and maybe go on a walk Monday, yoga class Wednesday, and hit legs Friday, that’s three days working out and a whole lot closer to my goal. By easing into a routine and not placing pressure on myself to do something every single day once it hits January, I am being kinder to myself and making it more possible to achieve my personal resolutions.
It’s finally time to talk about my favorite part of resolutions that most others may not consider: shopping and appointments. Since I was little, my mom put this idea in my head that I still stick with today. When it was back-to-school season or we were going on vacation, that meant new clothes, new hair, and new nails. Now being in college with my own money, I’ve adapted this ritual for my birthday, big sorority events, and the New Year as well. I love touching up my roots and getting a clean manicure to say “I look and feel good!”
This is the perfect time to mention it because Black Friday and Cyber Monday are coming up! I’m not saying to drop a whole check if that isn’t within your budget, but maybe buy a new lip gloss and mascara from Amazon for $10 just to treat yourself. This isn’t about spending money; this is about doing something nice for yourself every once in a while.
I have just found out the New Year begins on a Monday, and I feel this is the stars aligning! Speaking personally, this upcoming spring semester is my last at Florida State, as I will be graduating in May. I’m super excited, nervous, confused, and every other anxious adjective there is, but more than anything, I am motivated to make this my best year yet! By envisioning and preparing my ideal version of myself right now in November, I’m confident that by New Year’s I will already be in a fulfilling, natural routine.
Want to see more HCFSU? Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Pinterest!