We all know that we should be exercising and eating right to be healthy. They’re common New Year’s resolutions for a reason. But maybe you’re not interested in the gym or having a strict diet lifestyles. Maybe you have the “I’m here for a good time, not a long time” view. Or maybe you’re already working on eating better and exercising. Whichever is your scenario, here are some New Year’s resolutions that don’t have to do with fitness or giving up foods you love.
- Grow your savings. You can save for a rainy day or for a vacation. Another good idea is to grow your retirement or emergency fund. No matter what you do with the money, it’s always good to have some set aside for the day you need it or want to spend it.
- Organize and de-clutter. If you have too much stuff and are tired of seeing clutter all over the house, go through it and get rid of what you don’t need anymore. Do you really need 10 sheet sets or clothes from 20 years ago? You don’t have to do it all in a day. Go through closets and rooms one-by-one and eventually you’ll get through them all.
- Add good foods to your diet instead of eliminating “bad” foods. This is a simple way to get started on changing your diet without “dieting”. Sometimes it backfires when we say we’re giving up a particular food entirely. If you love sugar do you think you’ll stick to your diet if you say you’re never going to have it again? Probably not. A better way to view food is to tell yourself you’re going to add better food to your day. Add more vegetables or have a salad every day. Add more lean protein instead of saying you’ll never have another cheeseburger. This is how you balance your diet and make better choices as time goes on. Bring in the good instead of only trying to take out the bad.
- Read more. Grow your book collection. If you’re on a budget, get a library card or look for free e-books on the Kindle app.
- Try new things. It doesn’t have to involve exercise or food. There are so many fun hobbies out there that you can find a number of things you’d like to try at least once.
- Eat at home more instead of going out. Make it a fun night. Invite family and friends over and have everyone bring a dish. If you don’t know how to cook, make this the year you learn. Books, cooking shows, Facebook pages, Pinterest, and YouTube are all great places to find free recipes. Eating at home saves you money that you can spend elsewhere, and it’s usually a lot healthier than going to a restaurant or getting fast food.
- Spend more time in nature. It’s free to spend time outdoors, depending on what you want to do. There are plenty of places to sit with the trees, stare at the mountains, and put your feet in the water. Sunshine is always good, just be sure to wear sunblock.
- Help others. Consider volunteering locally or making a monthly donation to a charity like Saint Jude’s or World Wildlife Fund. Find ways to get involved in your community whether it’s to help Veterans, elderly, children, or animals. A free and simple way to help others is donate gently used clothing or non-perishable foods to your local food bank. Volunteering at events is another way you can help. If you help friends or acquaintances, make sure you’re not being taken advantage of. Sometimes your time/money is more appreciated and has a bigger impact helping strangers.