People are infamous for trying to make New Year’s resolutions, only to bail on them halfway through January. But if you’re looking for goals that aren’t time-consuming, are easy to stick with, and have benefits for yourself and others, look no further.
1. Stop talking negatively about women’s appearances
Constantly looking at and talking about women’s physical appearances is objectification. Women have fought for decades to free themselves from having their value tied to their appearance; continuing to focus on how women look hinders our society from making progress concerning how women are treated.
2. Stop letting microaggressions slide
If your friend makes a casual racist, sexist, or otherwise bigoted comment, stop being afraid to stand up to them. Many people may not even be aware of how harmful their commentary may be. Calling someone out when they say something offensive is a small, but important, way we can fight discrimination in our society.
3. Do research on important issues
When it comes to hot button political and social issues, it’s important that you read up on them before forming an opinion. Many people get bold about their opinions before even looking into the issue, often leaving the oppressed people unfairly judged and stereotyped.
4. Get involved with an organization you believe in
The best way to support a cause you’re passionate about is to get involved. There are organizations for every issue you could imagine, and they are almost always in need of assistance. You can help out by donating money or volunteering. A phone call or a website visit is an easy way to find out what you can do to help.
5. Stop victim blaming
Think critically about the way you talk about victims of rape. Catch yourself when you find yourself thinking “she asked for it.” Challenging your own potentially harmful ideas does make a difference, especially since it’s likely that someone close to you is victim.
6. Shop small as much as possible
When possible, opt to buy from small, local businesses instead of large corporations. Amazon may be convenient, but it’s much better to support hardworking business owners rather than add to the billions of dollars CEOs are sitting on.
7. Contact local representatives about issues you care about
Many people ignore or forget about this option, because it’s easy to believe that your voice doesn’t matter. While politicians do have a tendency to ignore the desires of the public, no harm is done by voicing your opinion, and holding your representatives accountable for change. When enough people make themselves heard, changes can be made.
The new year is the best time to set new goals for yourself, and what better goals are there than ones that have a positive impact on others? Besides, putting good out into the world can make you feel good as well.