Ahhh, New Year’s Resolutions. Three words that have infinite possibilities. Or do they? Here’s the thing: you are not magically a different person once the clock strikes midnight. You will not all of a sudden join a gym and workout every single day, nor will you quit your nail-biting habit cold turkey. Instead of setting unreasonable goals that, let’s face it, are long forgotten by February, why not try implementing simple yet effective strategies that are 100% doable? Here’s a unique list of 40 zero-effort resolutions that are essentially guaranteed to make 2016 your best year yet.
2.) Stop retweeting Twitter accounts such as “Horny Facts” or “Kinky Sex Facts.” No one needs, or wants, to see that.
3.) Stop neglecting your morning routine. For each bum day you have, wake up 15 minutes earlier the next day and actually get ready. Look good, feel good!
4.) Start meditating, even if that means closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths for a few minutes each day. Learn to relax.
5.) Start flossing regularly.
6.) Stop going out in public with chipped nail polish. Either commit to having perfectly painted nails or rock a clear coat.
7.) Stop wearing crop tops with low rise pants.
8.) Start getting more piercings. They are inexpensive, non-permanent, and crazy chic.
9.) Stop sleeping without taking your makeup off.
10.) Start getting haircuts regularly; don’t be that girl who is attached to dead, dried out hair.
11.) Stop waiting for him to text you first and make the first move yourself!
12.) Stop hating. Even if you don’t make amends, learn to forgive and forget internally.
13.) Stop walking and texting. Stop driving and texting. Stop talking to friends and texting. Stop eating dinner at the table with the family and texting. Just put the phone down and be present in your life.
14.) Start calling people more. Hearing someone’s voice is 100x more personal than sending some emojis.
15.) Start vocalizing when you want to be exclusive. You can’t hold a grudge against him if you haven’t been clear.
16.) Start being involved in politics. Register to vote. Decide on a party. Educate yourself on what’s happening and maybe even help initiate change.
17.) Start studying in places outside of your bed. Go to the library or a cafe or virtually any place except your dorm. Changing up the scenery will allow you to be more productive and social.
18.) Stop sub-tweeting. How old are we?
19.) Stop wearing open-toed shoes with unpainted or chipped toenails.
20.) Start reading for pleasure.
21.) Stop double (and triple and quadruple) texting and take the hint. If they aren’t responding, it’s probably for a reason. Channel your inner Jay-Z because it’s on to the next one!
22.) Stop using heat on your hair without protective spray (and never go past 370 degrees!).
23.) Stop neglecting to say thank you. Not just to your elders, but to your peers. They didn’t have to hold the door open for you.
24.) Stop letting ex-boyfriend nostalgia ruin the holiday season. Enjoy it with the people who matter.
25.) Stop paying to have a gym membership if you’re never going to go. There are endless ways to stay fit without paying a dime.
26.) Stop speeding. It’s better to arrive safely and late than to risk your life or another’s.
27.) Start putting yourself out there more. Text someone you haven’t talked to in a while. Say hi to a cute stranger. Worst case scenario? They continue on with their lives and you do too.
28.) Start investing in quality makeup if you wear it often and especially if you have problematic skin.
29.) Stop following people on social media just to hate.
30.) Start spending more time outdoors. Whether it’s walking your dog or going on a small hike or simply sitting outside on a bench; fresh air is crucial to a fresh mind.
32.) Stop caring how much or how little makeup another person wears. Makeup is a form of expression.
33.) Start drinking so much more water than you do already.
34.) Stop letting people walk around with food in their teeth.
35.) Start telling yourself positive, self-motivating things as you look in the mirror each morning.
36.) Stop making up excuses as to why he didn’t call you back. The answer is simple: he is a jerk and you deserve better.
37.) Stop judging others so much. If that person were to stand in front of you and say “I am worth it,” I bet you’d believe it.
38.) Start hugging your parents more.
39.) Start traveling more, whether it’s a plane ride or a car drive away.
40.) Stop beating yourself up. You’re doing the best you can.