new years resolutions | The Newfoundland Mommy

Ok…it’s 2022. Everyone keep calm, keep your hands to yourselves and don’t touch anything! Just be cool b’ys…be cool.

The beginning of a new year can be an exciting time for some people. “New Year, New Me“ takes over, motivation levels are super high, you start making these crazy promises to yourself and a few weeks later…boom…you’re a failure. (Disclaimer: I know there are some people who carry through their resolutions and to those people I say – Good on ya!)

It’s time to stop putting so much pressure on yourself. Most of us can’t just turn on a switch and make major lifestyle changes just like that. In fact you don’t HAVE to make any changes at all! There’s no law requiring you to make a New Year’s resolution. It’s not like there will be this huge mob of people carrying torches and pitch forks knocking at your door chanting about how terrible you are. Nothing bad will happen if you don’t make a resolution.

If you want to make a New Year’s resolution, it doesn’t have to be this big event. You can improve your life with small, realistic goals. How about adding a little reading to your daily life or set aside five minutes each day for some soothing music and deep breathing. Why not resolve to make a 5-10 minute phone call each week to family/friends that you’ve lost touch with. A resolution doesn’t even have to be for you. You could improve your pet’s life by extending their daily walk by 10 minutes or brushing their fur more often.

Oh no! New Year’s Day was two days ago! It’s too late! Excuses, excuses! If you choose to make a resolution, it doesn’t have to start on New Year’s Day. Pick a day/time that works for you. You could start after the Christmas decorations come down or maybe a week after school starts up. There’s no hurry!

A resolution shouldn’t bring on stress or anxiety. A change should be exciting…something to look forward to. Make sure it stays that way.

It’s the New Year and you know what that means – time for a new, better you! Time to get in shape, get your finances in order, go to Church more, stop swearing and organize your house. How many of you now have raised eyebrows?

Don’t get me wrong, I like the idea of New Year’s Resolutions. It’s the start of a new chapter, if you will. Why not bring some positive change into your life? However, making a resolution just for the sake of making one is pointless. If your heart isn’t into it, if it’s going to feel more like a chore rather than a challenge, then you are setting yourself up for failure.

Here’s another thought…why do people keep going back to the same resolutions? Fitness, finances…those are major lifestyle changes! If you’re ready to commit, then by all means go for it! If you aren’t ready for many major changes in your life all at once, perhaps a more realistic goal would be best.

I’ve made two New Year’s Resolutions this year:

1) Start putting my pictures into albums.
2) Donate one item to the food bank for each day of the year.

One benefits me and the other benefits other people. The picture thing is easy, just something I’ve been putting off. The donations thing is easy too. Each week I go shopping I will pick up 7 items which are on sale (always a dollar or less). At the end of the month, the kids and I will bring it to the food bank.

If you’re not ready for any changes, why not resolve to not make a resolution this year? Haha! Whatever the case may be, I wish you much success!