New Year, new me! As much as that would be a great idea, it’s way harder to follow through with a whole new life in the new year than many people think. Making difficult resolutions for yourself only destines you to fail within the first three months of the new year. Don’t fail your resolutions this year; just make them easier for yourself.
Cancel any unnecessary subscriptions
Although it may seem important to have all of the streaming services for different shows or movies you want to watch, it’s not. Trust me, the extra money that they drain from your account every month is not worth the amount you use them for unless the only thing you do is watch television. You’ll thank yourself later when you have more money in your account at the end of next year. The best way to navigate this one is to figure out which streaming services you use the most and limit yourself to only owning one or two of them at a time. This also gives you the bonus of watching less television.
Keep a notebook or journal
Sometimes it’s nice to write down random ideas you have or make lists for the grocery store on a physical piece of paper. These can also double as dream journals or diaries to rant in when you don’t want to talk to anyone. Notebooks and journals are great for relaxing your brain and easing stress when there’s a lot on your plate. The best way to involve this into your daily life next year is to buy one you like the cover of, one you feel fits your vibe as well as the vibe of your room or wherever you want to keep it. The more visually appealing it is to you, the more you will want to have it in your hand to write in.
Drink an extra glass of water every day
Although this takes a single minute out of your day, it’s easier said than done. When days get busy, the last thing you’re thinking about is how much water you’ve drank in the day. The easiest solution to this is to create a habit of drinking one glass of water every morning before breakfast or buying a water bottle you want to take everywhere with you. By drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning, you are completing the task early and getting used to the idea so that it will be an easy fix right in the morning. And getting a water bottle you like or one with a straw will have you wanting to drink from it often.
Reach out first more often
The winter lull is real; I know it, and so do you. To break that winter depression, sometimes the best thing you can do is talk to an old friend you haven’t talked to in a while. Life is busy, but when you have the opportunity for a little free time, make sure you reach out and try to get together with your friends. Not only will they be happy to hear from you, but you will also get out of your house more often which is a major plus. Reaching out first can be annoying, but if you don’t do it and they don’t do it, how will you ever talk? Honestly, it’s time in 2023 that we all get over the fear of texting first; that’s so 2016.
Find a new place to study
I get it; you love the confined walls of the library or your bedroom, but they can drive you insane if you’re there too often. This new year, find a coffee shop you like, a quiet place in the park (weather permitting) or even just a new study space at the university that you haven’t explored before. Changing your surroundings can help you study better and improve your headspace. It may even be beneficial to invite a study buddy and ask them where they choose to study and go from there. Anything helps!
The new year shouldn’t be a panic to change everything about yourself. And realistically, it will never be sustainable to do so. Coming up with small goals you know you can incorporate into your everyday life will make the goals stick around a lot longer (maybe even until 2024!) and will have a positive effect on your year. Remember to not be too hard on yourself as the new year approaches and set realistic resolutions that you want to continue with all year long!