10 Unusual New Year’s Resolutions (That We Should All Make This Year)

It’s that time of year again, well, the end of the year and, just like tons of other people, you probably feel a renewed sense of urgency (read: pressured) to start the new year off on the right foot. Every year, you make the same, tired list: lose weight, eat better, save money, blah, blah, blah. And every year, you last about 2 weeks with your new regimen before you call it quits.

So, this year, instead of making the same old cliché New Year’s resolutions that you never end up sticking to, why not try something else?

Get your photo taken in five interesting places

Many people vow to “travel more” in the coming year and then never seem to get away from the daily grind to have it happen. You may have realized by now that this resolution is basically the same thing as resolving to travel but, by changing your language (and motivation – by having something tangible such as the actual photographs of you in different exotic places), you will find that you will approach this resolution with a new attitude and spirit. Hey, you might actually go to five different places this year.

Learn a decent party trick

Now that we no longer rely on substances for social lubricant, this is a good opportunity to learn a new trick – one that will really impress. This will increase your self-esteem, as well as give you ways to break the ice at social gatherings. And it can be silly or lame. It’s all about putting yourself out there and having a good time without drinking or drugging. You can go for a bit of physical humor by getting your flexibility game up and doing some weird contortion trick or go for the mental challenge and learn how to recite the alphabet backwards in less than 10 seconds – it’s really not that easy, even for someone who is stone-cold sober, just sayin.

Every Month Make a New Friend

This is way deeper than it sounds. It’s more about getting out there, having a good time, and stretching your tired out comfort zones by going out more, attending more social events, getting involved with organizations or community activities to expand your horizons. And the added bonus is that you’ll meet new people and expand your network of friends. As humans, we are social beings and having friends around is good for our health.

Vow to Break a Record

Aim at breaking a personal fitness record or set your sights a little higher by going for a local or even world record. And it doesn’t have to be the usual: fastest mile, or longest breath under water. There are so many diverse and bizarre records out there for the taking. Check out the Guinness Book of World Records for some ideas. Accomplishing this resolution isn’t as difficult as you think.

Fall In Love with Your Body

This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t make goals to improve on the things you’ve been saying you want: being more fit, eating better, losing a few pounds. But, first change your relationship with your body. Embrace the things you do like and find ways to cultivate those aspects and show them off. All the while improving the things that you want to improve. This will make for a happier, healthier you and it will support you at being successful with your resolution to get in shape. By having a positive attitude about their bodies, it’s been found that people are way more successful at achieving their health goals. Plus, losing weight, alone, isn’t enough to make you happy. You gotta decide that you want to be happy.

Learn something you never learned as a child

For this New Year’s resolution it’s time to nurture your inner child and learn that thing that you never learned to do. Whether it’s learning the number of days in each month (I still don’t know), how to spell that one word you always misspell, how to ride a bike or swim, I bet that there’s something you  never learned as a child that everyone else seems to know.

Try a new food each week

As a self-proclaimed “foodie,” I am quite excited about this one. Usually, people resolve to cut certain foods out when it comes to making their New Year’s resolutions. This one gives you a chance to expand your food repertoire. Go for healthy stuff, of course – there are tons of exotic fruits and veggies (like, have you ever heard of or eaten Cherimoya?  Didn’t think so.)

Make the usual unusual

Speaking of exotic and unusual, vow to spice up your routine by doing one small thing differently each day or each week. Wear something you wouldn’t normally wear, run a different route, or try a different coffee. Don’t postpone your happiness by saving your best china – or whatever – for only special occasions. Break out the good stuff on a random day for no apparent reason just to brighten up a typical day.

Resolve a financial issue

What better way to start out the New Year than to resolve one of those things that’s been hanging over your head for who-knows-how-long? It could be something small that you’ve been meaning to do. Or maybe it’s something that is too much to pay off all at once but, taking the steps to paying it off – say, calling and making a a payment plan, will be like a weight off your shoulders as well as a way to start making good, healthy, financial habits.

Do something nice for others every day

And finally, rather than only vowing to make the usual inwardly-focused kinds of New Year’s resolutions, why not resolve to do something nice for a fellow human being every day. It can be a simple small gesture of thoughtfulness and consideration, like holding the door for a stranger or maybe buying coffee for the next person in line next time you’re at Dunkin’ Donuts. You’ll be surprised how much being nice to others will improve your own mood and overall outlook.

If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse or addiction, please call toll-free 1-888-672-4435.

Sources:

http://www.realbuzz.com/articles/10-unusual-new-year-s-resolutions/#pagination-top