So it's the first month of the year and everyone's all hooked on their new years resolutions. You can't go to the gym right now because it's too crowded, and you're probably going to get cornered at work while someone drinking a puke green smoothie tries to tell you about this new fab diet they just started. According to Forbes, only 8% of Americans actually achieve their resolutions. So before February comes around and you're sitting with a box of chocolates, let's switch it up this year. It's time to better yourself as a person. If you're still doing all of these by December, then I say go ahead and start 2015 next year with that green smoothie. More power to you!
1. Stop feeling sorry for yourself
If you're reading this post right now, you're more fortunate than 3 billion people in the world who can't read at all. So stop scrolling down your newsfeed liking your so called friends statuses because they have great jobs, great materialistic things, and a seemingly perfect life to you. Fix your resume, polish up, try to smile (even if it's fake, I promise it'll turn real eventually), and realize you have potential. It's all about how you carry yourself.
2. Make yourself resourceful
Life doesn't always give us all the solutions with the problems. Be creative, prepare for the best, and try to figure it out as much as you can. Whether this means helping someone change a flat, or just helping carry in groceries, don't be a bump on a log (for lack of other words). Seriously though, once you figure it out, remember that and share your knowledge in another's time of need.
3. Take a second to actually pay attention to detail
We live in a world where we think anything that takes longer than 5 minutes is terrible customer service, and if someone doesn't smile back or say hi they're considered rude and standoffish. Maybe people called in sick today, maybe that person was having a bad day, maybe it's just one of those days for them. Maybe's could go on forever, but don't just write off people because they don't act how you expected them to.
4. Say good riddance already
If there's something or someone you're unhealthily obsessing over, click the button and delete them from your Facebook, your phone, and your twitter. If you're putting too much effort into a friendship and it's only getting worse, take a deep breath and realize you're going to make new friends. Your "bubble" aren't the only people that exist. It's a new year remember? Start it off positive.
5. Write
I know I'm biased because it's a hobby of mine, but even if you don't do it everyday take a minute or two before you go to bed and write down the best thing that happened to you, or how your day went, or whatever you want really. It'll get your mind off things, not to say that it'll be hilarious to read back five years from now about how you accidentally walked into the boys bathroom at the airport (oh wait..oops.)
6. Keep up with the world around you
I'm guilty of this. I have a laptop, a desktop, an iPhone, and multiple televisions, yet I'll admit, I still tend to fall behind on current events. Perhaps it's because there's apps like Candy Crush and Instagram that take priority, but knowing what's going on around the world will hopefully make us a little less ignorant and a little more understanding.
7. Make the insignificant people in your life feel appreciated
I'm talking about the baristas, the waiters, and the people behind cash registers at the grocery store. They're working their job just like you were earlier that day. Even a simple 'have a great day,' or "How has your day been?' will probably make them feel more appreciated, and that's something everyone longs for.
8. Be realistic
Now that you've read this, I wasn't making fun of you for setting a goal to eat healthier or to work out more because those are on my list too. I'm just saying start with smaller goals so you don't want to quit your resolution because you skipped the gym one day or ate some cake on your birthday. Go to the gym when you can, treat yourself to your favorite food every once in a while, and definitely eat cake on your birthday. 2014 is about enjoying life to the fullest, not stressing over a promise you made to yourself.
