Did you begin your new 2021 habits right from the start on January 1st? To say the least, New Year’s resolutions are exciting and motivating. However, let’s be real. Due to the pandemic last year and continuing through the new year we often find ourselves not instilling healthy, new rituals until the end of the month. So now as we approach this new, opportunistic month of February you can make consistent, positive changes to your life! It’s never too late! Here are some ideas to make this new year and new month the best one yet!
How to Set Successful Resolutions
When setting New Year's resolutions – or any personal or professional goals – always set SMART goals. This acronym stands for:
Specific: There should be no room for misinterpretation.
Measurable: Plan how to track your results objectively.
Achievable: Set realistic New Year's resolutions.
Relevant: Ensure your New Year's goal aligns with who you want to be.
Time-bound: Set deadlines for each part of the process needed to achieve your goal.
By organizing your goals in this manner you can directly see how you can implement these beneficial changes to your life successfully. If you have a map and plan of your goals, what could go wrong? Journaling your goals down or creating a notes page on your phone displaying your goals and the process to achieve them is a great way to put your thoughts into action and manifest them. Having these notes handy are helpful when you’re experiencing a loss of motivation or confusion regarding your decisions. The journals I have recently purchased on Amazon have been extremely helpful in organizing my resolutions, daily habits, and long-term goals. I have linked them here:
10 New Year Resolutions for 2021
Get Organized & Time Block Your Day
Get a planner, and get your sh*t together, girl! Stop running late to meetings or dates, by time blocking your day. You can create a general outline to determine how you’ll realistically spend your time and how much time to dedicate to a task.
Make Days More Mindful
Live life to the fullest by practicing mindfulness daily to consistently bring you back to the present in times of worry. Slowing down and truly noticing your surroundings are great ways to pause and observe your body and its sensation. You can do this by taking 3-4 slow deep breaths.
Start a Daily Meditation Practice (Tip: End your workout with a meditation)
There are scientific studies that show the many benefits of meditating for the mind and body. I’ve found a way I can incorporate meditation into my everyday ritual by ending my workouts with 3-5 mins of meditation. Youtube and Headspace have great videos to guide you to calm and relax your body after a workout.
Learn Something New Each Day
This is an ideal daily habit for those of us interested in expanding our world, mindset, and knowledge. This can be done easily by reading the news, horoscopes, or discovering a new topic, discovery, or even a new workout-style video that interests you.
Read More Books
With the previous resolution idea in mind, reading is the best way to learn. Place your book where you'll read it on your bed or your laptop.
Learn a New Skill, a New Hobby, or Side Hustle
As quarantine has presented us with more time we are finally allowed to fit our hobbies or side hustles we’ve always wanted to do into our schedules. The time to start is now!
Eat More Plants & Drink Water
Make veggies the focus of a majority of your main meals and strive for plant-based meals. I enjoy having fruit for breakfast as it is a great way to start your day with vitamins and keeps your digestion on the right track.
Managing Finances Better
Tracking your spendings with online banking apps like N26 or budgeting apps can ensure you are saving and spending your money wisely in these times. Where we all find ourselves online shopping or ordering random things like edible glitter, it’s important to track where your money is spent.
Be More Active
Personally, I aim for a minimum of 10,000 steps daily to my daily goal of 15,000 steps when it's not a rest day. Walking or getting any sort of movement in upon waking can be extremely beneficial to not only physical health but mental health. Getting a walk or workout early in the day sets the tone for the day. Even playing with your dog or tossing frisbee counts. As we age we don’t play as we did when we were young. Playing is actually a great way to stay active, get outside, and take a break from the stressors of daily life!
Connect With Nature
Spending more time outdoors connecting with nature can reduce our stress hormones associated with anger, fear, anxiety and increases overall positive feelings and emotions in the body. Aim to get outside and walk once a day really observing what’s around you, it can truly bring you to the present.
Welcome back to Gorgeous and Global 2021! This year will be even better than the last and we will all become the best, gorgeous versions of ourselves wherever you may be around the globe! Subscribe to my blog by creating an account to stay updated on my new posts. I wish you a successful, healthy, and happy month of February! Thank you for visiting Gorgeousandglobal.com and see you in my next post!
XOXO,
KEN