By Sofia Aparicio-Gallagher
As the fall semester and year come to an end, it’s time to reflect on 2023. One of my favorite parts of December is coming up with a New Year’s resolution. New Year’s resolutions do not need to be outrageous or difficult to achieve; they can be small and meaningful. With my recommendations, you will be able to prepare and plan your goal.
Start by reflecting on the year, the good and the bad parts. This will help when thinking of aspirations for the following year. Now let’s start thinking of your New Year’s Resolution. A helpful brainstorming activity is to journal and write out all thoughts and ideas.
If you are a visual person like me, consider creating a vision board. Vision boards are made up of motivating images, words, and quotes. The images can be placed on paper, a canvas, or even a bulletin board. For the vision board to be successful place it in a location where it will be seen. Looking at the vision board daily throughout the year reinforces the target set.
It’s difficult as a college student to stick to goals in the chaos of classes. Some common and achievable goals for self-care include exercising more, starting a gratitude journal, sticking to a healthy sleep schedule, drinking water, or investing in a skin routine. Self-care is important and a great way to start the New Year with a healthy mindset. Easy financial goals include saving more money, spending less money, cooking at home instead of eating out, creating a budget, or getting a part-time job. Goals for self-improvement could be as simple as doing random acts of kindness, spending time with friends and family, learning a new hobby, spending less time on social media, and reading more.
Give yourself time to plan your goals. When creating a goal, make it extremely specific and personalized. Break that goal into smaller sections, don’t jump in all at once. Let January and February be the months you introduce your goal, so it becomes a habit.
My New Year’s resolution for 2024 is to practice yoga twice a week. I will first start by researching YouTube yoga instructors and find a routine I feel comfortable with. During January and February, I will only practice yoga on Sundays for 30 minutes until I become more flexible. I will then slowly start practicing yoga twice a week. Once I am confident with twice a week I can practice for longer periods. By slowly incorporating yoga into my life, I am building a healthy habit.
It’s beneficial to prepare now for the good times ahead. Decluttering your space will help set the right mindset for entering the New Year. Your phone, room, and car can all be decluttered. Donate or sell old clothes so your closet can have a fresh start. Delete old photos or unused apps for more storage. A clean environment equals a fresh start. Share your resolutions with others to consistently put yourself in a mindset of improvement. With dedication and a set schedule, your 2024 goals will become a reality.