And so it begins: a New Year ripe with resolution and good intention. We will eat less and walk the dog more. We will lose the winter pudge and gain the respect of work colleagues. We will be more patient and less loose-lipped. Definitely. Absolutely.
It is a time of renewal – perfectly placed after a month of indulgence and excess; a time when moderation is more about managing family tension than carefully selecting behaviours. So we gorge on the fruits of the season and then in a staunch turn of events, purify and restrict in a split second.
The problem with New Year’s resolutions is that they tend to be lofty plans to become bigger, better people – more in shape, more well read, more committed. But a change in the last two digits of the year can not possibly be incentive enough to make sweeping changes to your very core.
Here are a few tried and tested guidelines to the perfect New Year you:
Aim Low – Challenge is a wonderful thing best served with attainable result. When promising to eat right, be sure to insert the asterisk that suggests portion control not denial of all things lovely and rich. Restrict, don’t eliminate. Drink more water. And around exercise, do not promise to do that tri-tri you have been discussing for a dog’s age: promise to run every week.
Keep it Short – Lengthy lists and contracts with oneself will inevitably overwhelm and doom you to failure. A pinch of resolution vs. a fist full will seem less intimidating and more do-able. Pick two of your 67 must-dos.
Make it Fun – For some reason, New Year’s Resolutions tend to be binge and purge: extreme poles of all or nothing. Try promising a date night to your spouse or monthly flowers to yourself. These sorts of feel-good changes will keep your self-improvement light and rewarding.
Happy New Year and here’s to the New You.
Next Week: Back to Design – creating a plan to actually finish a space