Every year so much emphasis is placed on new year’s resolutions. I don’t know about you, but I can with absolute certainty, tell you that there has never been one new year’s resolution I have actually kept until December 31st. If you are someone that can keep your new year’s resolution all year, then I applauded you! I can only dream of being that disciplined. Trust me, I always try my hardest but somehow life gets me off track and the resolutions go out the window. I feel like a complete failure for a while and get over it by telling myself I can try again next year. But why do we have to wait until next year? To be better? To do better? To set new resolutions?
We don’t! We absolutely do not have to wait! This year, I am taking a new approach. Instead of having two or three big resolutions, I am going to have four smaller resolutions each month. Here’s my thinking: For me, 30 days to complete something or stop something is so much more manageable than 365 days! Maybe that makes sense for you as well.
You might be asking: why go from two or three annual resolutions to four monthly resolutions? Annual resolutions always seem so big because you have such a long time to complete them. It’s a little daunting. So, for me, smaller resolutions with less time to complete are more manageable. I figure I can complete one resolution a week fairly easily and I can switch things up a little every month if I see something not going as planned.
To get started for January, I chose four different areas where I knew I needed to do better. No laughter or judgement, please. I can already hear you laughing about the first one.
Do (at least) one fun thing.
Okay, let me explain. I know what you must be thinking right now. Why do you need a resolution to have fun? I promise, I’m not that lame or boring but after this last year I want to be sure to enjoy life and have fun! Sometimes we get so bogged down with adulting that we can forget to have fun. And most of the time fun is followed by laughter and we all know laughter is the best medicine!
Do something for someone else.
Have you ever heard the expression ‘Throw kindness around like confetti’? If so, that’s what I’m talking about here. It doesn’t take something huge and over the top to be kind to someone. It could be paying for the person behind you in the drive through line, holding the door open for someone or smiling at someone (but we should all be masked up these days). You just never know how much your kindness could mean to someone, so throw it around like confetti! I promise it will make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Do something to improve your health.
Did you realize that your health is like a triangle that encompasses physical, mental, and social health? All three sides contribute to your overall well-being and need to be equally balanced. Often one small improvement can lead to another and each improvement will make you feel better. A resolution to improve your health does not have to be losing 100 pounds or starting therapy. It could be drinking a cup of water each day or learning something new or chatting with a friend. These small resolutions are not hard to do and will balance your health triangle.
Me, me, me, me, me
My last resolution for January is to do something for me. Most of the time I am guilty of putting my daughter, work, and others before me. It has taken me years to realize that doing something for me is not being selfish but is actually necessary for my overall health. I can count on one hand the number of times I put makeup on and had my hair fixed last year. When you are working from home and not going anywhere, what’s the point? Well, the point is, you feel better when you get up and get completely ready for the day. So, every week in January I will put on makeup on and fix my hair. Selfies to follow. 😉
There you have it. My new month resolutions. I plan to recruit friends and family to join me so we can hold each other accountable and have fun doing it. Then, at the end of each month, we can celebrate and welcome in each month of the year, just like it’s New Year’s Eve.
Cheers to 2021!
About Bliss Welch: Bliss is a Quantum® brand ambassador and Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee 2013. Bliss is actively involved in the disability community. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her daughter. Click here to learn more about Bliss.