Five Resolutions You Should Make This Year

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New Years resolutions are inevitable. Even when I say I’m not going to make them, I’m unintentionally making a resolution to not make resolutions!

resolution

I hear the same things every year, too. Lose weight. Travel more. Try new things. Volunteer more. Spend more time with the family. There has to be a way of setting goals that inspires us to become the best version of ourselves, but aren’t unrealistic and don’t make us feel like failures if they go unaccomplished.

Here is my list of five realistic goals I’m setting for myself in 2018.

1. Instead of “losing weight,” drink more water.

Are you really going to lose eighty pounds or run a marathon? Probably not, but you can try to drink more water. Or go on a walk once a week. Something small, simple but that acts as a building block. When you have small victories, you’ll be inspired to do more and then maybe you WILL lose that big weight or reach big milestone! No matter what, you have to start somewhere!

2. Instead of “take a dream vacation or travel more,” make time for yourself.

No one is responsible for your happiness but you. Make a resolution to do something at least once a week that feeds your soul. Reading, writing, five minutes in the bathroom alone? Honestly, I could go for a nap! Either way, make it a priority to do something for yourself and watch your happiness increase!

3. Instead of “try new things,” ask for help.

People don’t know you’re drowning. In today’s social media, we are connected more than ever before. We see the highlight reel of other people’s lives, but it’s often an inaccurate picture of what is actually happening. Break the silence and call a trusted friend. They’ve likely been through what you’re going through!

4. Instead of “volunteer more,” say ‘no’ more.

When you say yes to MORE stuff, often you’re saying no to your sanity. No isn’t necessarily a forever word. It’s often a “not right now.” Maybe you can’t volunteer for every school field trip. That’s okay. Maybe you’ll be able to in the future, just not right now. Make a resolution to stop taking on stuff that stresses you out, unless you want to get Botox or are ready to cut bangs like Zooey Deschanel. Worry lines are the worst!

5. Instead of “spend more time with your family,” date your spouse and have a girls’ night out.

Time with your spouse alone is vital to the health of the relationship. Your kids won’t be home forever! It’s also important to cultivate other friendships as well. Your spouse cannot meet all of your emotional needs; that’s impossible for one person! Not to mention the pressure that puts on your partner. That’s why your mom squad is so important. 

The truth of the matter is, even if you changed absolutely nothing, your life will still look different one year from now. Life happens in seasons, and seasons change. Nothing around you will remain the same even if you do. Life is funny that way.

So, get out there, put on your red lipstick and show 2018 who its mama is!

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Jenny
Textbook extrovert. If there’s a stage, Jenny wants to be on it; whether it’s singing in church, doing stand-up comedy or acting. She has recently joined a cult called LuLaRoe. Her husband, David, is deeply concerned. Jenny and David, a pastor, are recently celebrating eighteen years of marriage. After years of infertility, they became adoptive parents of two year old twin boys in 2014. They’ve never been happier or more exhausted. Every day is an adventure. Jenny blogs at thefivestages.wordpress.com and has a regular feature in Tualatin Life newspaper called Everyday Heroes to celebrate those serving our community. She and her husband started a clothing line based on their story and you can check it out at bottlecapbadge.com. There’s nothing we can’t do with a little bit of love and a whole lot of caffeine.

1 COMMENT

  1. Good stuff! I like them all but as a health coach, I especially like number one. To lose weight can be a discouraging goal because what the scale says is out of our control but like you said drinking so many cups of water a day that’s totally within our control and a path to that weight loss, and the small victories are gateways to success 🙂 Always focus on behavior goals over outcome goals.

    thanks for sharing.

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