New Year’s resolutions are made to be broken. No matter how extravagant and monumental we set out to make the coming year, our best laid plans always seem to slip right through our fingers. This time, I’m doing something different. Instead of trying to inspire myself with a long list of overly-ambitious achievements, I’m turning my focus inward and looking to cut out some of my more heedless habits. As they say, a stitch in time saves nine. In honor of my resolution revelation, here’s my very first not-to-do list to give me a jump start on the New Year.
DO NOT Stay Home All Weekend
There’s no denying that we live in an age of media. Some of the best movies and television shows ever made are being created right now. The problem? It’s also incredibly simple to binge-watch them all weekend and completely ignore the outside world. I’ve gone days without sunlight, behind drawn curtains, because I’m too wrapped up in my favorite series. I need to remember that it’s not a good idea to live vicariously through my favorite characters and that one cannot simply survive on popcorn alone. There’s a great big world out there that I may just be missing out on.
This New Year I’m going to stop myself after one or two episodes as a reminder to go out and have an adventure of my own.
DO NOT Buy What You Don’t Need
If technology has done anything for us, it’s made spending money a whole lot easier – even if you plan on never leaving your house. With just a click of your smartphone, you can get just about anything delivered right to your door in a matter of minutes. I’ve avoided cooking for weeks just because I know takeout is only a few taps away. Shopping? Constantly. Instead of hauling myself over to the mall and fighting for a parking space, technology has made it easy to browse every store in the world right from my couch. Spending has turned into an afterthought and I don’t even realize how much money I’ve blown until I get my dreaded monthly bill. Instead, I’m determined to stop shopping for knick-knacks from my living room, ditch the food delivery services, and turn my focus on things I need rather than things I want.
Nothing beats a home cooked meal and spending time with my family is, and always will be, free and more important than any bargain I could find online.
DO NOT Wait Until Summer for New Shades
I know it’s freezing outside right now, but it’s just a matter of time before the sun shows back up to make us all sweat through summer. Not this year! I’m planning on being prepared and taking a proactive look at my window treatments. My cellular shades do a great job at insulating my bedroom in both cooler and warmer months, but I wouldn’t mind an extra line of defense when it gets scorching hot outside. This year, I’m planning on installing solar shades on all my sun-facing windows to cut back on glare and block any UV rays from fading my furniture. The best part about solar shades is that they won’t completely block my view, so I’ll still be able to enjoy the beautiful view.
DO NOT Hide from Friends and Family
Between the binge-watching and the takeout orders, I seem to have neglected everyone that lives outside of my house. Sure, I’ve seen everything they’re up to thanks to Facebook and Instagram but I’m definitely not in any of the photos I’ve been “liking”. I’ve gotten the invites, but always seem to be too busy to catch-up over a cup of coffee. I know that if I don’t spend time with them before too long, the invites will stop showing up altogether. These people are in our lives for a reason and, as great as technology is, we’re missing out on some actual socializing. In 2017, I’m going to strive to have a deeper connection with the ones I love outside of interacting through the occasional Facebook post, which reminds me…
DO NOT Get Wrapped up in Social Media
My family hasn’t commented on any of my social posts this year. What’s the deal? Surely they can’t be out, living lives of her own. I better take this out passive-aggressively the next time I see them. Yuck! Even if it isn’t a conscious decision, social media has a firm grip on our lives. Why should I care if someone doesn’t like my posts? Do I really need to stay up-to-date with all seven Kardashians first thing in the morning? Why does any of this matter all of a sudden? I need to take a break from staring mindlessly into my phone for hours on end. It’s turned into more of an addiction than a curiosity. This is my pledge to stop getting so wrapped up in social media and focus more on my own (real) life.
This January, as we ring in the New Year let’s also be sure to wring out some of our dirty laundry. I know it won’t be easy, but I have high hopes for my list of to-don’ts for 2017. Less is more, after all. Cutting back in this world of excess may just give us the clarity we’re constantly searching for. Only time will tell if this plan will work or turn into another ill-fated list of resolutions. Then again, maybe the reason we don’t stick to our New Year’s resolutions is because we eventually realize that we’re already happy with who we are and where we are going.
Wishing you a clear and sparkling 2017!