Happy New Year! That greeting conjures up mixed emotions that well up both the positive and negative sides to all of us. Positive emotions such as happiness, determination, or love. Andnegative emotions such as sadness, hopelessness, and maybe even fear. The new year is always a starting mark which gives all of us an opportunity for a fresh start. A start to a new chapter per se. This is the time when many resort to resolutions for better health, better productivity, better goal setting and many others. I have done this before. I made resolutions to eat better or to run more or to read more. And I got so excited that I would stick to them everyday with a lot of enthusiasm and motivation…in January. February 1st, the enthusiasm wanes and the motivation diminishes. This was the cycle that I had year after year. And it would leave me feeling disappointed or that I am not good enough or gritty enough to achieve great results. And then, I discovered some alternatives that are simpler and more purposeful.
Because let’s face it, resolutions are like those promises you make after a few too many New Year’s Eve drinks – they sound good at the time, but by mid-January, they’re just a distant memory. So let’s ditch the whole New Year’s resolution thing and try these 5 alternatives Instead.
Create a Bucket List
This is a fun way to set goals but also just to do something that you’ve always wanted to do. This list will act as your game plan for the upcoming year. The list could include a mix of your wildest and daring dreams to the simple joys of life. You can add a list of activities to help you conquer your fears or challenge you. It could also include a list of foods you would like to try that will transport you to foodie heaven. Or you can learn a new language or a new instrument that you’ve always wanted to learn. It could be a new endeavor such as starting a blog or a youtube channel or starting a side hustle. Whatever it may be, make the list achievable but also enjoyable.
Here are some ideas for a bucket list:
1. Take a spontaneous road trip: Pick a destination on the map, pack a bag, and hit the road.
2. Learn a new language: Whether it’s for a dream destination or just for the excitement of acquiring a new skill.
3. Skydiving or bungee jumping: Experience the adrenaline rush and conquer your fear of heights.
4. Volunteer for a cause: Make a positive impact on your community or a cause close to your heart.
5. Take a cooking class: Master a cuisine you’ve always been curious about and impress your friends with your newfound skills.
6. Start a blog or vlog: Share your passions, experiences, or expertise with the world.
7. Learn a new instrument: Whether it’s the guitar, piano, or ukulele, mastering a musical instrument can be incredibly rewarding.
8. Visit a new country this year: Explore different cultures, cuisines, and landscapes.
9. Take a dance class: Whether it’s salsa, ballroom, or hip-hop, let loose and dance like nobody’s watching.
10. Read a classic novel: Dive into a literary masterpiece you’ve always meant to read butnever got around to.
11. Start a small business or side hustle: Turn a passion into a project and see where ittakes you.
12. Attend a live sports event: Cheer for your favorite team or experience the atmosphereof a major sporting event.
Take a Yearly Challenge
A yearly challenge is a fun and flexible approach to growing and achieving personable goals. With this alternative, you select a specific challenge that you would like to conquer and remind yourself of that challenge throughout the year. Yearly challenges should be created with fun in mind but it can also be purposeful. You can focus your challenges on a particular aspect of your interests, skills, or habits. The creativity lies in the variety and adaptability of the challenge. You get to define the challenge based on what you love to do. The key is to tailor the challenge to your interests and lifestyle so that it is enjoyable but also sustainable.
Here are a few examples to get your creative juices flowing:
1. Fitness Challenge: Commit to trying a new form of exercise every month, whether it’s yoga, rock climbing, or even a dance class.
2. Read-It-All Challenge: Aim to read a certain number of books throughout the year, exploring genres you wouldn’t typically pick up.
3. Adventure Awaits: Dedicate the year to exploring your local area or beyond by planning a monthly adventure, be it hiking, road trips, or visiting unique attractions.
4. Skill Challenge: Choose a new skill to learn each month – it could be anything from painting and coding to cooking exotic dishes.
5. Random Acts of Kindness: Spread positivity by committing to a monthly random act of kindness, whether it’s volunteering, helping a neighbor, or surprising a friend.
6. Tech Detox Challenge: Designate specific days or weekends each month to unplug from technology and enjoy the present moments of life.
7. Gratitude Journal: Keep a daily or weekly gratitude journal to focus on the positive aspects of your life and foster a more optimistic mindset.
8. Language Challenge: Learn a new language or dedicate each month to exploring the culture, cuisine, and history of a different country.
9. Minimalism Challenge: Declutter your living space by adopting a minimalist lifestyle, tackling one area or category each month.
10. Financial Challenge: Commit to adding extra to your savings account each month. Little adds up to a lot by the end of the year.
Pick a Word for the Year
Picking a word for the year is an intentional approach that helps to set the tone for your year. This practice involves consolidating your aspirations and desires into a single, powerful word. This chosen word will be a constant reminder of the mindset and values you wish to embody throughout the year. The beautiful thing about this alternative is that it’s simple and adaptable.Your selected word becomes a guide that will influence many aspects of your life, from personal growth and relationships to work and self-care. Your chosen word will help you make decisions that align with what you intentionally want to achieve this year. The key is to select a word that resonates deeply with you and encompasses the kind of attitude you want to exude.
Here are some “one word” ideas to get your started:
1. Focus: Make concentration and mindfulness your mantra for the year, directing your efforts towards what truly matters in your life.
2. Courage: Embrace challenges and step out of your comfort zone, embodying courage in your decisions and actions.
3. Balance: Strive for harmony in your life ensuring that work, relationships, and self-care are well-blended.
4. Simplify: Declutter your life, both physically and mentally, by simplifying your routines, possessions, and commitments.
5. Adventure: Add a little bit of excitement and exploration into your daily life, seeking new experiences and embracing the unknown.
6. Gratitude: Cultivate gratitude as a daily practice, appreciating the positive aspects of your life, no matter how small.
7. Resilience: Build inner strength and bounce back from challenges, viewing setbacks as opportunities for growth.
8. Joy: Prioritize joy and happiness in everything you do, seeking moments that bring genuine delight and fulfillment.
9. Kindness: Make kindness a cornerstone of your interactions, extending compassion to yourself and those around you.
10. Mindfulness: Practice living in the present moment, truly experiencing your connections with people and yourself.
11. Authenticity: Strive to be true to yourself in your actions, decisions, and relationships.
12. Growth: Prioritize personal and professional development, viewing challenges as opportunities for learning and growth.
Take on a 365-Day Challenge
The 365 day challenge includes a goal or set of goals that will intentionally set the tone of your daily habits for the year. Many experts say that it takes 63 days to turn an action or activity into a habit. So doing something for 365 days will purposefully turn your goal into a habit. The key to this challenge is keeping it simple. Choose an interest that you have or a habit that you want to build and start out with small goals. For example, this past year, my 365 day challenge was to read everyday. I started with a small goal like reading 10 minutes a day to 15 minutes a day and eventually setting out to finish a certain number of books. The challenge was to read everyday. It didn’t matter the duration, what mattered is that I sat down to do it. This challenge is a chance to discover a new interest, develop interests, or conquer a goal. Create your challenge that fits your lifestyle. Make it enjoyable and manageable.
Here are a few to get you started:
1. Photo a Day Challenge: Capture a moment from your day, every day, and create a photo journal. It could be anything from your morning coffee to a beautiful sunset.
2. One New Recipe Daily: Cook or bake something different every day. It’s a delicious way to expand your culinary skills and maybe discover a new favorite dish.
3. Random Acts of Kindness: Perform a small act of kindness each day, whether it’s complimenting a stranger, helping a neighbor, or leaving a positive note for a colleague.
4. Learn a Word a Day: Expand your vocabulary by learning and using a new word each day. Bonus points for slipping it into casual conversations!
5. Daily Doodle or Sketch: Express your creativity by drawing or sketching something, no matter how simple, every day.
6. Read a Poem Daily: Discover and appreciate poetry by reading a new poem each day. It’s a great way to explore different styles and voices.
7. Gratitude Journal: Write down something you’re thankful for every day. It could be as small as a sunny day or as significant as a goal achieved.
8. Fitness Challenge: Commit to some form of exercise daily, whether it’s a full workout, a short walk, or stretching exercises in your living room.
9. Read a Chapter Daily: Make a dent in your reading list by reading a chapter of a book each day. It’s a great way to escape reality for a bit.
Take a Life Audit
This practice usually happens at the end of the year and into the beginning of the new year. This is a reflective practice that helps to uncover the highlights for the year but also the not so good times that caused us to pivot in a different direction. But this could also be as simple as digging into your daily habits, relationships, goals, and even those random thoughts that we think about. It’s sort of like a friendly chat with yourself to discover the reality of what is really going on in your life. You may uncover some things about yourself, both awesome and areas that need a little bit of TLC. But remember, that you are not judging yourself, you are figuring out what will work for you so that you can have a better year ahead.
Here are some questions to get you started with your reality check:
1. Daily Dose of Joy: What are the little things that consistently bring joy to your day, and how can you incorporate more of them?
2. Relationship Radar: Take stock of your relationships – which ones uplift and support you, and are there any that might need a bit more attention or boundaries?
3. Mind & Body Check: How are you treating your mind and body? Are you giving yourself enough rest, exercise, and moments of relaxation?
4. Goal Check: Revisit your goals – what are you making progress on, and are there any goals that need tweaking or refreshing?
5. Habitual Hangouts: Where are you spending most of your time and effort? Do your daily habits align with your long-term aspirations?
6. Tech Detox Reality: How often do you unplug from technology? Are you finding a healthy balance between screen time and real-life experiences?
7. Inner Circle Audit: Look at your inner circle – are you surrounded by people who inspire and motivate you? How can you nurture these connections?
8. Learning Landscape: Are you feeding your curiosity and learning new things regularly? What topics or skills have you been itching to explore?
9. Gratitude Gauge: Reflect on what you’re grateful for – are you expressing gratitude regularly for the positive aspects of your life?
10. Time Travel Test: If you could fast-forward a year, what would you want to see and feel in your life? What steps can you take now to head in that direction?
Say goodbye to resolutions and try these alternatives instead. Tailor it to your interests and lifestyle and see yourself achieve goals little by little and one step at a time.