5 Straightforward Resolutions To Make In 2017 (That’ll Improve Your Year)

When we get down to the nitty-gritty of it all, New Year’s resolutions are rooted in good intentions. There is nothing bad about striving for self-improvement. However, years of existence have hyped up the tradition and have distorted its fundamental purpose. These days, we tend to set unrealistic goals and inevitably break our own promises before February arrives. New Year’s resolutions have thus become a joke and something to scoff at during holiday parties.

This isn’t propaganda to dismiss the custom altogether. Think of this as a reminder of how everyone is human, imperfection is innate, and error is forgivable. The most important thing to keep in mind throughout the resolution process is that setbacks are inevitable, but comebacks are optional. Redemption is a choice.

With all that being said, here are the top 5 New Year’s resolutions that everyone tends to set for themselves, and the suggested solutions to keeping them.

1. Get fit.

There is no place more crowded than the gym during the month of January. Regular gym-goers know firsthand that the sea of new faces they encounter in the beginning of the year rarely become familiar. Instead of swearing by a new gym membership and investing in a ton of new workout gear, drink more water. Go for a side salad instead of a side of fries. Park farther from where you need to be to walk longer. These aren’t dramatic changes but understand that dramatic weight loss isn’t going to happen over night. Little healthy changes will help build a healthy lifestyle. And remember, it’s okay to have a donut every once in a while. The key to getting fit is no secret. Eat clean and exercise often.

2. Stop procrastinating.

Procrastination is something everyone wants to rid themselves of. There’s something about that last minute rush that’s addicting to the point of repeating it every single time. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this pandemic. It’s just a matter of prioritizing. Establish priorities are and act accordingly. It’s easier said than done, but it has to be done.

3. Get Organized.

Think of how much time is wasted correcting mistakes made out of pure laziness. The paperwork thrown to the side after a long day at work suddenly goes missing a couple of hours later because it wasn’t put it in a designated area. To start getting organized, label everything. Labels serve as a reminder what should go where. This small change will prevent future clumps of clutter.

4. Spend less money.

College students everywhere can sing the no money blues in unison. With tuition and student fees to pay every semester, there isn’t much room for the non-frugal to survive. Much like eliminating procrastination, prioritizing plays a big role in spending less money. Make a list of things that have financial priority to ensure those get taken care of first. Also, setting a small amount of any income can be saved up for future use. Something as small as $5 dollars every payday can add up over the course of a year.

5. Stop smoking/drinking.

Most people resort to smoking and/or drinking as a way to de-stress themselves. Cigarettes and alcohol have become the go-to means of sanity. With highly stressful lives, college students are inclined to heavily rely on these substances. The first step to quitting requires a change in attitude. Decide that health is more important than these harmful ways of alleviating tension. Find other ways to take the edge off. Take a walk, write it out… whatever helps for the moment and is healthier in the long run.

None of these suggestions to keeping the resolutions are secrets. In fact, most of them are common sense. The new year that is fast approaching is one more reminder that everyone is another year older. Maturity heeds more liability. It’s time to cut the nonsense, accept the responsibilities of life, and realize that decisions shape it. Blaming the universe was so high school and there is no room for teen angst in the adult world. It’s high time for everyone to decide what they want out of life and believe that they are the means to achieving it.