Solutions Instead of Resolutions
Why do we wait until January first to make changes in our lives? And why do these changes almost always include losing weight? Sure, we all overindulge a little over the holidays with sweets and drinks at holiday parties and family feasts. Maybe we packed on a few pounds worth of extra padding in the winter and our clothes are feeling a bit snugger. This is usually self- correcting, as we get back into a regular work or school schedule, watch our portion sizes, and the last of the holiday sweets eventually disappear. Still, the gym treadmills will be packed after January first with people trying to run off a month's worth of sugar cookies in a week's worth of workouts. According to daysoftheyear.com, January 17th is the day most people give up on their resolutions. Habits can be hard to change, and the results from changing our habits take time to see. High expectations give way to frustrations and giving up. Rather than setting a resolution based on what we think we need to change about ourselves, maybe we should look for solutions to some of our everyday problems.
So what problems do you need to solve? Most of us have one or two areas of our lives that are causing the most stress, whether it's our health, finances, lack of organization, family or relationship friction, stress from an unrealistic schedule or workload, or time management. Ask yourself what the real problem is. If you're chronically feeling exhausted, maybe the answer is something as simple as turning off the electronics in your house an hour earlier to give your brain time to relax and improve your quality of sleep. If you're always running short on cash, there are plenty of online tools to help you make a budget.
You don't have to reinvent the wheel. Whatever issue you're having, someone else has dealt with it too. Our library is a wealth of information. Our community college offers classes. There is likely a blog or several blogs that can point you in the right direction. (Pinterest, anyone?). It's easier than ever to find the answers you need to make life easier. As my husband and I tell our kids when they ask us something for which we don't know the answer, Google it. There is always a solution if you're willing to try something different. The right attitude is key. Resolve (uh oh. Did I say resolve?) to be more positive, and the solutions will present themselves. Happy New Year!
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