Its mid-October, which means the year is getting old. At the beginning of every year, you may have created a list compiled of new things you would like to try, places you want to visit, ways you want to improve yourself, and habits you would like to change; then you title this list, New Year’s Resolutions. A resolutions list is more than just a few goals on a piece of paper; it is a reflection on how you perceive your life (the good and the bad) and how you would like to improve it. You create the list with the mind frame of having an entire year to complete it. Some resolutions do get checked off, while others roll off onto next year’s list, with the excuses of not having the time or resources to complete them. Those “roll offs” often may make feel as if you failed yourself yet another year. Â
This time, instead of thinking you wasted another year, create an old year’s resolutions list that are meant for short-term goals. Short-term goals are often easier to accomplish since they involve less effort than long-term goals; however, they can set you in the right direction to complete your initial larger goals. Consider shrinking your large goal into a smaller one so it will appear easier to accomplish. Here are a few common New Year’s Resolutions that can be easily switched to an old year’s Resolution.
1.   Spend more time with family- Holidays and family go hand in hand. More than likely you will be spending more time with your family during the end of the year. Consider visiting your family more than just on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Call up whichever relative is hosting your family’s get together and offer to help out with the cooking, decorating and cleaning. While you are around your family members talk about things that you would like to do next year together and let them know that you want to spend more time with them.
2.   Travel- Traveling can often be expensive, and while you may dream of spending a week in Italy or waking up on the beaches of the Caribbean, you may have to settle for a weekend road trip. Luckily, weekend road trips can actually be a lot of fun and sometimes just a little get away is all you need. Round up a few of your best friends and drive up north to experience a colorful autumn or play in the snow during the winter time.
3.   Volunteer/Donate- The end of the year offers many volunteer opportunities. It is easy to find food drives that need donations, a Christmas angel to adopt and soup kitchens that need help feeding those that are hungry. This is a self-less resolution that will leave you feeling as if you made a difference. It is also a great way to meet new people who also enjoy volunteering. Having friends such as these will likely inspire you to volunteer more in the future.
4.   Create Healthier Habits- You don’t have to wait until the new year to hit the gym and start eating healthy. And you especially don’t need to use the excuse of “I’m going on a diet starting Jan. 1st” to stuff your face and eat whatever you want for the last two months of the year. Start making small changes today, such as drinking more water, no eating past 8p.m. and daily walking or physical activity, to jump start your path to a healthier you.
5.   End-of-Year Cleaning- Consider all of the areas in your life that could use an end of the year cleaning; your closet, your room or entire house/apartment, your refrigerator, your Facebook friends list and perhaps your real-life friends list, your vehicle, and whatever else you can think of. Getting rid of the old and making room from the new allows growth in your life. If you are no longer using an item or if you have a negative friendship/relationship with someone, both can be taken care of the same way by throwin them out. Life is too short to be holding onto things that you no longer need or can potentially be holding you back.
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