“New Year, New Me,” the famous quote all of us are guilty of saying at the start of a New Year. The New Year is a time for celebration as well as a time of change, where people are taken over with the urge to better themselves in some type of way, by setting a standard for where they want to be by the next year, otherwise known as a New Year’s Resolution. Since it is the start of a new year, as well as the start of a new decade, here are some tips on how to actually follow through with your New Year’s Resolution this year of 2020. 

1). Plan it out

It’s easy enough for everyone to say “Well I’m gonna lose 20 pounds” or “I’m gonna save up for a big trip to Europe” but those are just statements not actual goals. In order to actually follow through, create some sort of layout or spreadsheet, detailing exactly how you are going to achieve that goal. If you’re looking to get in shape, good for you! But, how are you going to achieve it? Are you going to get a gym membership, cut out carbs, or are you gonna walk around your neighborhood? Plan it out! If you have something physical in front of you saying what you are gonna do and how you are going to do it, you can feel like your plan is actually concrete, and you can live up to it.

2). Start small

If you have any goal that involves a certain number, such as money, time, or weight, start small. You cannot expect yourself to suddenly decrease/increase a value within a week, and get the results you want. For saving / spending less money, start by setting up a savings account, and start by putting only 5% of what you earn/have into the account every week. Then each month, up the percentage you put in by 5%, so that you can build your way up to it without completely going overboard. In terms of exercising/losing/gaining weight, start by picking either eating-choices or exercise, so you don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to do both at the same time. For eating habits, start by having portions for every meal, for example the healthy diet plate, so that you aren’t in a cycle of binging on certain foods. For exercising, start by working out for 30 minutes, twice a week, and gradually increase. Once you feel confident in one area, move on to another, but don’t forget to do the first habit. Remember, these goals are a long process, not one step. 

3). Be realistic

Be realistic with your goals. If you are telling yourself that you are gonna become sober, or save $1,000 dollars or lose 30 lbs in as short of a time span as a month, those are unrealistic goals that will leave you feeling defeated when it doesn’t happen. You know yourself best so you are aware of what you are capable of, but still don’t be afraid to push yourself. If you wanna be sober, or save $1,000 dollars instead of spending it or lose the 30 lbs, good for you! But remember not to set an impossible standard for yourself that you won’t be able to achieve in that time span. 

4). Do it for you

Having resolutions and goals for the New Year work as great motivators, but initialize why you have that goal. If you are looking to lose weight, save more money, become organized or anything along those lines, make sure you are doing it because you want to and it’s what’s best for you, not because someone pressured you into doing it. Make sure to set resolutions/goals to make you happy, not other people, because you are the person who should be benefiting from them, not someone else. 

The people who love and care about you want what’s best for you, and want you to be happy, so do what makes you happy! Resolution goal or not, make an effort this year to live life to the fullest, and enjoy the little things! For all those with resolutions, good luck! Happy New Year everyone!