New Year’s Resolution Inspiration

By the Editorial Board

2020 was a lot. We think we speak for everyone when we say that we’re eager to put it in the rearview mirror and gear up for 2021. New Years’ is all about new beginnings- a natural point of transformation that sees gyms fill up and old habits quit. Between the physical, emotional, nutritional, and spiritual aspects of our lives, we can all find something to improve upon. While we can’t control the world around us, we can control and improve ourselves. If you’re having trouble getting inspired, we’ve put together a small list of changes, both big and small, that you can use to set that resolution goal.

This list is in no way exhaustive or prescriptive, but rather a list of some of the goals and resolutions of our wonderful writers.

Talk less, listen more

Simple and easy to implement, being a better listener is sure to make you a better friend, partner, and more aware of the world around you.

Drink more water

Another simple and easy goal, drinking water makes your skin brighter, your digestion more efficient, and just generally improves the way your body functions. Investing in a good water bottle, adding lemon, or drinking sparkling water is a great way to make drinking water easier.

Read a new book every month

Reading is a great way to learn, relax, and is proven to help with both mental stamina and acuity. 

Adopt the “80-20 diet”

Uber-strict diets can be both hard to follow and not conducive to the changes of everyday life. The key to being healthy is moderation, and doing what feels best for you. We recommend the 80-20 diet, which sees the majority of your daily calories from healthy sources (veggies, healthy proteins, and non-processed carbs) while still leaving some wiggle room for that 3 pm Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup or a sneaky post-work cocktail. 

Make church a priority

Let’s be honest, we could all use a little more Jesus in our life.

Ditch processed food

Counting calories is great for losing weight, but eating foods rich in nutrients will not only help you stay healthy but feel healthy.

Write letters to those in nursing homes

With so many older Americans stranded in nursing homes, writing a quick letter every other week to a grandparent or a friend of a grandparent is an easy way to make a big impact. 

Volunteer for a new charity

Nowhere is your dollar or time more valuable than in a charity in your community. Find something you’re passionate about (homeless shelters, women’s shelters, tutoring underprivileged children, animal shelters to name a few), volunteer, and commit yourself.

Adopt a workout regimen

You’ll look better, you’ll feel better, and you’ll be better. Starting a workout routine is the gold standard of New Year’s resolutions.

Spend more time outside and in nature

We can all get lost in the hustle and bustle of life. Setting aside a couple of hours every two weeks or month is a great way to stay grounded and recharge (a personal favorite at TC).

Call your family more often

It’s easy to forget to call mom and dad or the grandparents, but it likely means the world to them.

Start meditating

Daily practices with meditation are scientifically proven to increase happiness, decrease stress and anxiety, and improve focus and confidence. With so many fantastic apps such as Calm and Headspace, it’s never been easier or more convenient to start a daily meditation practice.

Spend less time on your phone

Between work, social media, and reading The Conservateur, we all spend a lot of time on our phones. Spending less time on your phone helps you engage with the moment, can relieve headaches and neck tension, and is a great way to get better sleep. 

Cook more, eat out less

Cooking is something people either love or hate. But if you want to save some money and control more aspects of your diet, you really can’t beat cooking. With so many services like Freshly, Blue Apron, and Daily Harvest, cooking has never been more convenient or easy to learn.

Start journaling

Similar to meditation, journaling can help put life in perspective and teaches us to slow down and process life from a slower, more introspective angle. Journaling doesn’t have to be a daily thing, but several of our writers swear by it.

Read the news daily

Chances are you’re already an informed member of society if you’re reading The Conservateur, but we can all read a little more. We love The Daily Brew for a quick newsletter to get you informed and out of bed in the morning. 

Wake up early

As we get older and busier, our time becomes our most precious commodity. Waking up early is a great way to carve out some time for you and is a simple and easy way to increase productivity and help with sleep.

Drink in moderation

Let’s be real, everyone could use a drink after 2020- but drinking in moderation is a great way to cut back on calories, pad your wallet, and is the easiest way to prevent drunk texting your ex at 2 in the morning. 

At the end of the day, a New Years’ resolution is an agreement that you make with yourself and is something only you can enforce. Arguably the most critical part of any resolution isn’t necessarily the end goal but the process of setting the goal and following through. Happy New Years, can’t wait to see you all in 2021.