With 2018 right around the corner, you've probably given some thought to your New Year's resolution.
And while vowing to volunteer more or spend some more time outside is a very doable gesture, it's important to remember that the ‘new year, new me’ mentality only works if you actually do it.
We’ve all bragged from time to time about the many goals we plan to commit to after shedding our 'old year' skin -- but how many have we actually stuck to? and how they’ll be a totally new person.
Sadly, the New Year's resolution mentality usually wears off and we divert back to their old ways.
With that being said, here's a guide to avoiding the cliche resolutions you definitely shouldn’t try. After all, we don't want you to be wasting time in 2018 -- procrastinating is so 2017.
1. Lose [X] Amount of weight
Especially during this time of year, your stomach may jiggle a little extra and your thighs may be extra thundery (thanks, Christmas cookies...), but promising yourself that you'll lose a certain amount of weight this year is not the answer.
Big goals are unrealistic and have to be one of the worst New Year’s resolutions to make.
Baby steps. Set smaller weight loss goals, like eating out less and swimming more. It'll be easier to achieve and you'll end up accomplishing way more.
2. Get married, fall in love, find the one...
Love is so romantic when it's all planned out, ya?
No!
You can’t find a wife or a husband in a magazine catalog, so don't assume you can plan shopping around for one, either. Love strikes best when you least expect it. Don’t try to plan to find “the one” -- give it time and you’ll find someone when you're not even looking.
3. Quit your job
We're not suggesting that you should stay in and suffer though a job or boss that you absolutely loathe, but quitting your job for New Year's isn't the best strategy if you don’t have a new job to go to come 2018.
First of all, your savings account is probably hurting a bit extra from the holidays.
Secondly, many people start looking for new jobs following the Christmas season, meaning it's going to be even more challenging to land the position you want.
Don't do anything too drastic too fast. If you're really yearning for more money, try picking up a weekend gig if you can afford the time, or try your hand at winning an extra $1,000 on WIOD.
4. Travel the world
The idea of flying away to some far-off land is quite exciting... but when you plan a trip on the fly as part of your New Year's resolution, you may not take the time to think it through.
What about your house, your pets, your job, your partner, your debts?
Although traveling is great, booking a flight as part of your New Year’s resolution is a bad idea. A vacation or extended getaway is something we suggest thinking through.
PLUS, do you even know why you want to travel in the first place?! Is it because you just saw an ex with their new lover at a Christmas party? If so, those issues will still be there when you come back.
5. Join a gym
Come mid February, 60 percent of gym memberships go unused and attendance subsides back to the pre-holiday levels, according to research.
Instead of joining a gym, why not sign up to a class or invest in a pair of running shoes, especially if you have no clue how to use freestanding exercise machines?
Ease into it. Smaller health, well being, and exercise goals will be far easier to stick to and you’ll see more benefits compared to joining the gym... just like not trying to lose all that weight right away.