2023 is here and you know what that means: New Year’s Resolutions. It also means a lot of diet culture being pushed on us from every angle. For a lot of us, it’s uncomfortable and triggering. “New Year: New You” is everywhere you turn.
While we spoke of going with a New Year’s theme, some of you may want to work with and rock out with a few resolutions… Not everyone is trying to crowd the gym for a month or jump on the latest diet craze. Some of us are just looking to improve internally.
In small ways.
Without the noise of toxic diet culture. If you’re looking for a few solutions, these 10 New Year’s Resolutions may be for you!
In no particular order,
Here are 10 New Year’s Resolutions that have nothing to do with weight loss
1) Be okay with not being included/invited
In the age of social media, it’s very easy to get a case of FOMO (fear of missing out). How many times have you seen people out and thought to yourself “Wait… why didn’t they tell me?!”
Sometimes, you may not be welcomed and you end up putting yourself in an uncomfortable situation. Other times, people genuinely might forget to tell you.
With this New Year’s Resolution, you should learn to be okay with not being included in every aspect of someone’s life. Many times, it is not even personal.
And even if it is, you now know your position in that person’s life. It’s up to you to act accordingly.
2) Do things by yourself
Missed out on a movie you wanted to see? Passed up on a great airline deal? You know why? Because you waited for your friends and they bailed last minute.
Think of all the art show openings, concerts, trips etc. you didn’t go to because you were hoping someone would go with you… Also? You never know what you could learn about yourself, by taking the chance and doing things solo!
Life is way too short to miss out. Take that solo trip. Try that new restaurant. Truth be told, you will find someone to take a picture for you and you’ll create some new memories. Time waits for no one.
Go for it!
3) Say no and mean it
No, is a complete sentence. It’s tough to say no. Boundaries that we learn to set for ourselves can oftentimes come with mounds of guilt. The book, Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Tawaab is a great place to start in learning how to set boundaries for yourself and for others.
So often we say yes and regret it, before the person even hangs up the phone. As soon as we press send on a text. You end up trying to find ways to get out of it.
Why bother?
If you know you don’t want to do something say no and stick to it. Will people be upset? Sure! But it’s not worth the energy you’ll spend dreading the task at hand.
To be fair, it also gives the person on the receiving end of the no a chance to figure out other options.
This goes for family, friends, work, and anyone else you feel like saying no to!
Just say no.
4) Do something you’ve always dreamed of
Always wanted to do stand-up comedy? Want to be an influencer? Start a business? Well, what are you waiting for?
The worst that can happen is that it doesn’t work out how you intended it to. The best thing that can happen is that it goes well and you’ll wonder why you didn’t take the leap.
You never know what the journey will show you about yourself and your purpose, if you do not give yourself the chance to explore…
In the end, at least you tried and that’s the most important thing.
5) Go to therapy
This is one of the most personal of New Year’s resolutions… Trauma is not your fault. However, you are responsible for your healing.
The thought of opening up to a complete stranger can be daunting. Having to revisit traumatic situations in your life can be terrifying.
But a therapist can set you on a path that will lead you to a better place. A place where you can learn how to thrive instead of just survive.
You don’t have to be a product of your past!
As someone who has made the journey into therapy, who has learned various tools to navigate tough times, and who has had to do the work to work on my shadow self, it is rough but soooo rewarding.
6) Evaluate your friendships
Should old acquaintance be forgot?
Sometimes, YES!!
We all have a friend that we have known, for what feels like a lifetime. Sometime that friend isn’t the best. And yet you have a hard time letting them go because they’ve been around a long time. Sometimes, as I have learned, “You outgrow your friends.”
When someone asks you why you’re friends with them and you say “We have known each other a long time!” It might be time to really think about what that person means to you.
Time doesn’t always equal a valuable relationship. A person you met a month ago might do more for you emotionally than someone you met when you were two years old.
It’s okay to outgrow a friend. Don’t force yourself to nourish a stale friendship that expired ages ago.
7) Let go of those bad family members, too!
Speaking of relationships, it’s okay to stop dealing with people in your family who mistreat you and make you feel less than.
Have a cousin that is rude every time you see them? An aunt who likes to remind you of what you are NOT working with? Have an uncle that makes you uncomfortable?
Establish those boundaries and protect your peace…
Just because they are related to you does not mean you are obligated to be around them.
This goes for parents too. You don’t deserve to be mistreated by anyone.
8) Step out of your fashion comfort zone
When you’re shopping online and you see something you have only dreamed of wearing, buy it.
Don’t wait to shed a few pounds.
Don’t wait to have an occasion.
Don’t worry about other people’s opinions.
If it brings you joy, wear it. If you want to try something new, do it. You never know what you can unlock by allowing yourself the space to explore your personal style. Confidence, boldness, playfulness- each of these could come out when you allow yourself the space to play in or with specific items in your closet.
9) Take more pictures.
We get so wrapped up in our self-consciousness that we miss out on being part of great memories.
You’re worried about whether or not you look bad.
Whether or not it can be edited.
Whether or not it’s the perfect photo.
None of those things matter.
Everyone wants to look back and remember that you were there. Stop hiding! Life’s too short.
Jump in every photo you can!
And if it helps, take the time to learn what poses can work the best for you? Where the poses bring out a certain confidence and energy from you!
10) Make time for what you’re passionate about.
It is hard to find the energy for extra activities after a long day of work. Especially if it is a job you don’t love.
People like to say “Beyoncé has the same 24 hours and look at what she has accomplished!”
That’s not realistic by any means.
Beyonce has a lot of money and a team. You have well… you. There IS time to do what you love.
Buy yourself a planner (or find a great one online!) and create a schedule. When you write down what you actually do, you’ll see that you have time.
Instead of spending hours scrolling on social media, use that time to work on something you are passionate about!
A Bonus One: Stop hustling so hard.
If you take any of these New Year’s Resolutions with you, this is the one…
The “sleep when I’m dead” culture is so strong. Too strong in fact. You’re no good to anyone, especially yourself, if you’re running on an empty cup. It’s okay to do a little less.
It’s okay to rest and take care of yourself.
You might feel like a new year brings new pressures. It doesn’t have to. In 2023, do whatever you need to live your best life.
Do any of these 10 New Year’s Resolutions speak to you?
What are some things you want to work on and achieve in the New Year? Let us know in the comments!
