When I was little I used to think that New Year’s Eve was one of the most magical nights of the year. To me, changing the number in a year in my school notebook sounded like we were literally jumping into a different eternity. Starting a new life. Getting new chances. Having new opportunities. As I’m growing older, this magic is slowly disappearing (especially since staying up late is a norm now and not being in bed by midnight doesn’t excite me that much anymore). I still tend to think about what I want to achieve within the next 365 days. Very often my New Year’s resolutions would be forgotten about by February and then by December I would be disappointed in myself and determined to make it work the next year. But now I’ve learnt my lesson – I know how to set New Year’s resolutions and stick to them for the whole year (or most of it, nobody’s perfect).
Little tip: I’ve already seen some people shaming other people online for setting New Year’s resolutions. How about we let people set whatever goals they want whenever they want to? Whether it’s old but gold ‘New year, new me’ thing or just any goal, small or big – let’s support one another instead of tearing others down before their resolutions can even start.
Put a lot of thought into it
If you have a moment before New Year’s Eve, sit down. Think about the past year – what you have learnt and what you gained from it. Now think about the future and consider what you’d like to achieve by this time next year. Maybe you feel like something was missing this year – not enough time with family, not enough money saved, not enough ‘me’ time? Think about what could make you happier in the year coming. Maybe you always wanted to pick up a new hobby. Or you want to move out in the near future. Or get a pet. If you listen to your own body and mind, you’ll come up with an idea.
Be realistic
Let’s be honest. We’re so busy with our lives that most likely we won’t be able to stick to 5 New Year’s resolutions and they will be put aside very quickly until ‘tomorrow’. Then that ‘tomorrow’ becomes never and we get back to the beginning. Don’t pick too many resolutions. For now, focus on one. Life will throw many obstacles at you to overcome with that one resolution anyway and you’ll need all your strength to keep going. Completing one resolution is so much more realistic (and not any less satisfying) than multiple.
Plan
What this year has taught me is how important it is to have not only a long-term goal but to plan short-term goals that can get you there. Now that you have your New Year’s resolution (your long-term goal) to complete by the end of December next year, think about how you can get there. If you want to move out, then you’ll most likely have to save money – set an amount of money you’d want to put aside for each month. If you want to quit smoking, you’ll have to take certain steps to get there, like replacing cigarettes with chewing gums, reducing the amount of cigarettes you smoke each week etc. Big, long-term goals can scare anyone and they very often seem like you’ll never be able to get there. Through setting little goals, your resolution will be much more within your reach.
Don’t be too hard on yourself
Some New Year’s resolutions are just not meant to last. Sometimes they can evolve into something better. Don’t ever think of that as a failure. And don’t ever let anyone tell you that! Other people will always have their opinions about absolutely everything and everyone is always more willing to criticise someone else but themselves. But know your value. If it didn’t work out in the end – that’s fine, you can adjust your goal and start again either in next January or just next week. Remember that it’s not always the end result that counts – it’s the effort you put in to make it work. You tried so hard and no one will ever take that away. So keep going. It’s not a failure unless you lose hope and give up on everything.
I wish you all good luck with your New Year’s resolutions!
Until next time xx
What are your New Year’s resolutions?
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Read more: It’s okay to put going to university on hold or 10 success quotes to keep you going when you feel like giving up
Tags : New Year's resolutions, New Years Eve, resolutions, setting New Year's resolutions for 2018
These are great tips! I definitely agree that you should only have one resolution especially if it’s big or then maybe a few smaller ones. I’ve always had so many big ones and they’re really hard to achieve. Next year I definitely want to try and be healthier and get fitter. I don’t have a weight goal or anything, I just want to feel healthy – physically and mentally! I really need to break it down to smaller goals though and really think how I’m actually going to achieve it 😊x
Anu | Based On blog | Bloglovin
Good luck! I’m sure you’ll get where you want to be <3
I love this guide! I don’t really do resolutions because I always fall on them but I might give it another go this year
Let me know if you do! I’m happy you liked my post <3
I’ve had the opposite progression, I never made new year resolutions before (as I though that I wouldn’t achieve them anyway), but now I start to think about it more ! I agree particularly with your plan paragraph, that’s how I’d like to see my resolutions 😊
I say give it a go! Any reason to set new goals is a good one 🙂
Fab post lovely! Exactly what everyone needs to hear and some really good points! will 100% be using these xx
Thank you! Do let me know how your resolutions go next year!
Love this post! I don’t make new years resolutions anymore, as I found I would be disappointed with myself when I inevitably broke them lol. I now sit and think about things I would like to change or do differently. One of the changes I made this year was to not spend money so frivolously, and also to stop hoarding! I adore New Years Day. It always feels so fresh and new, and full of promise. Its my favourite day.
I tend to hoard as well! It feels very refreshing to get rid of stuff sometimes though
I’m terrible and sticking to New Year resolutions – this year I’m hoping to drink more water, work out, meditate and keep flexible! Thanks for the tips xx
Good luck with everything! I definitely need to start drinking more water as well.
We were always taught that goals should be SMART – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results-Focused and TIme-Bound – and I think the same should be said for New Year’s Resolutions too as often, they’re impossible to achieve! Mine is to stop biting my nails, which has been a bad habit since I was a child.. 🤦🏼♀️
SMART is so good! I think I’ve heard about it once and totally forgot, thank you for reminding me about that. I’m just as bad with biting my lips… Might have to find something to make me stop doing that.
This is a great post. I believe that you should set goals at any time of the year, but I think that there is something significant in the idea of a new year and a new you.
I completed my resolutions because of the steps that you mentioned. I was realistic and I planned well. I was also specific, because I used to just say “eat healthy” without really thinking about it.
I think that’s the biggest problem, people are just usually very vague about it or set impossible expectations on themselves. Well done for sticking to your resolutions!
I have actually stuck to the new years resolutions i made for this year other than one which I couldn’t due to health reasons so I’m super proud of myself! I definitely think the key is to make realistic goals rather than going yeah I’m going to save up 10 grand and lose 5 stone as that really just de-motivates you!
Alice Xx
I agree with you! I used to have resolutions like that and I’d feel really pressured to achieve them even though they were literally impossible. Well done for sticking to your resolutions!
I agree so much with these points! It’s so important not to be too hard on yourself if you fall back or don’t succeed at first, just gotta pick yourself back up x
Alice http://www.accordingtoalicex.com
Exactly, it’s not a failure, it’s just one way that doesn’t work. You just need to find one that will get you where you want to be.
Bookmarking this post! I’ve never really set proper New Year’s resolutions before but I want to change that! Thanks for a great post x
Francesca | everythingchessie.co.uk 🌿
I’m so happy you liked it 🙂 let me know when you think of one!
I haven’t stuck to any of my new years resolutions this year except blogging, so aiming to be more realistic this year! Haven’t decided on what next years are yet x
Lily
You’ve still got loads of time to decide!
Great tips. You are so right, staying up till midnight really isn’t as exciting the older you get. Actually I’m quite excited when I’m asleep by then and in with a chance of a full 8 hours!
That is so true hahaha