How to Keep Your New Year's Resolutions (for more than a month)

January 4, 2016

The few days after New Year's Eve go hand in hand with feelings of shame, feeling of hope for the upcoming year, and a hangover or two. Most people head into the New Year with resolutions and end up breaking them as soon as someone at the bar yells "SHOTS!"

Here's a realistic way to keep/maintain your resolutions for 2016.

1. Write it Down - Write that shit down in as many places as you can. Anywhere that you can, list your goals and when/why you want to achieve them. This way, instead of tucking it away in a notebook, you can visually see your goals listed in places that you look every day. 

2. Avoid Words Like Never, Always, Ever, Etc. - Realize that you can't completely change overnight. By using words such as Never, Always, Ever, etc. you are setting yourself up for failure. Instead of listing STOP blacking out completely as your goal, change it to a more realistic "less frequent blackouts." 

3. Be Realistic - There is nothing worse than setting yourself up for failure. A great way to avoid this is to be realistic. It's great to be ambitious, but like I said before, realize you can't completely change over night. The best part about this is that you can re-evaluate in a few months or at the halfway mark. If something isn't working, change the goal - don't give up on it! 

4. Grab a Friend - Buddy Up! By hanging with someone with similar goals for the year, you'll be able to motivate each other. It's important for friends to understand that you aren't being a bitch because you don't want to go out to dinner, but that you're trying to save and still love them lots. A buddy is important because on days when you literally can't even, they'll tell you to step it the fuck up. What if there's a day when you're both not into it? Go for a walk together instead or go grab some juice/green tea so that you don't feel guilty. 

5. Reward Yourself - When you reach certain milestones, give yourself a pat on the back and also treat yo' self. Resolutions aren't about limiting yourself, they are about making you a better person. If your goal is to go to x number of workout classes per week, reward yourself at the 10 week mark or so with a massage, new pair of (smaller sized) lulus, or an extra glass of wine. This will make you realize that your hard work is worth it.