The new year: A chance to start fresh, to make resolutions, to promise ourselves to live a better life in 2021. What's on your resolution list? Losing weight? Saving money? Eating better?
But how long do those resolutions really last? We all go into it with good intentions, but one way or another we almost always go back to our old habits.
So let's switch it up this year! Let's make some positive resolutions for 2022 that will be easy -- and fun -- to keep.
Here are five New Year's resolutions you'll want to keep all year long:
1. Be kind.
Be kind to yourself. Forgive yourself. Stop putting unneeded pressure on yourself to be perfect. Treat yourself once in a while. You deserve self-care too.
Be kind to others. Mark a day on your calendar each month to do something kind for someone who is not expecting it. Ideas? Take cookies to the fire station, send a card to a grandparent, spend a day at an animal shelter, shovel the neighbor’s driveway when it snows… the list of ideas is infinite. It can be something small that doesn't require any planning or something more elaborate. Whatever your choice, your act of kindness won't go unnoticed.
2. Be active.
No, this isn’t me telling you to join an expensive gym or pressuring you to buy some workout DVD you'll only use a few times. Being active can be fun and easy -- especially if you involve the family. Start small by walking to and from the bus stop, taking the dog out for walks as a family, or checking out the trails at local parks together. And try something new: learn to skate as a family, visit a trampoline park, or even have a family dance party once a week. Show your kids (and yourself!) how good it feels to stay active.
3. Simplify.
I learned a huge lesson recently. Are you ready to hear it? I can’t do it all. This was an Earth-shattering revelation for me. It turns out there are only 24 hours in a day, and this mama needs at least 6-8 hours of sleep a night.
I would love to be “that mom” that makes homemade treats every week for my family, who hand makes all my son’s clothes, who cooks casseroles every night, who keeps a perfect house, who volunteers for everything and works a full-time job. But I can’t do it all. None of us can. So to help simplify my life, I learned I had to start saying no. I had to prioritize. I had to stop competing with all the other moms I see on social media. My son would lose his mind if I let him join all the activities and clubs and sports he wants to, so I let him pick one at a time. I say no to social invitations sometimes, so I can just be home. I get rid of things in the house that are just taking up space. A busy life doesn’t always mean a full life.
4. Be present.
I’m definitely guilty of thinking I had to capture every little moment on camera and then share it on all the social media so all my friends and family could see what we were up to… but what was I missing? Sometimes my own kid has to tell me “mom, stop taking pictures and just pay attention!” This is a resolution I’ve taken to heart. I want to enjoy the moment as it’s happening. Sure, I love pictures of all the big events and little moments. But the key? Balance.
5. Be adventurous.
How long have you lived in your town? Have you really checked out everything there is to do? Make a resolution to try something new every month, whether it be a new restaurant, a new park, a new local boutique, a new activity with the kids… Not sure where to start? Check out our Macaroni Kid event calendar for ideas!
Ann Baisden is the publisher of Macaroni Kid South Columbus, Ohio.
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