New Year Celebrations were first done by the ancient Babylonians, although theirs began mid-March, the same time they started planting crops. They were also the ones to first make pledges to the gods such as paying their debts and returning borrowed items. If accomplished, their gods would bless them for that year, if not, they would not be in their gods’ favor.
These promises made by the Babylonians can be considered as the forerunners of our modern-day New Year’s resolutions.
In today’s age, by December people usually start planning and conceptualizing their New Year’s Resolutions, comprised mostly of the attitudes or behaviors they want to change, new habits they want to acquire and maintain, and good practices they want to continue. Similar to the Babylonians, they are pledges that should be accomplished.
However, many would agree that their New Year’s resolution remained at the execution phase, or became a list of unchecked items, or a few months’ trial subscription.
So, this 2024, you may want to convince yourself to try these practical things and upgrade your New Year’s resolution.
Prioritize self-care
Let’s break the “ideal body type” mindset and appreciate our own more. Aim simply for your healthiest, most active version by starting a simple workout routine. Instead of binge-watching Netflix at 3 AM, try to discipline yourself and maintain a better sleeping schedule. You can try meditation apps or videos on YouTube that can help you fall asleep faster and relax and build focus. Lessen eating fast food and turn to healthier foods, by planning your meal, ensuring that what you eat is nutritious. It’s easier to search on Google rather than seek professional help, but please, stop self-diagnosing. Lastly, for your peace of mind, try decluttering the negativity in your life–cutting off people who don’t contribute to your well-being, doing social media detox, and spending more time developing yourself.
Discover new hobbies
Decreasing screen time can be tough, especially since we live in a digital age, but you can start allocating more time to discovering the hidden potential in activities that may interest you. Engaging in arts and crafts is proven to stimulate focus, and relieve anxiety, depression, and stress. Gardening can also improve mood and provide relaxation as you connect with nature, it has also helped during the pandemic when most of us were isolated. Even better, try learning life skills such as home repair, first aid, cooking and baking, martial arts, and survival skills.
Save enough money for travel
Unless you have tremendous inheritance wealth to travel whenever you please, then set a goal to save money for travel instead. Budgeting is important when traveling to prevent fund shortages. Always consider in your travel expenses the length of your stay, your accommodation, tours, activities, itinerary, and pocket money. You can even watch out for seat sale promos or package deals to save expenses.
Invest in lifetime wealth
You only live once, but it doesn’t mean that you should spend like there’s no tomorrow. Instead start investing in things that would provide lifetime wealth for your future such us real estate, business, life/health insurance, and stocks and bonds. There are also free academic courses that you can enroll in which can boost your professional profile and add more skills. Buying gadgets should not be discouraged as long as you can use them to earn income as well.
Build more connections
Since the pandemic, we have been isolated from our peers for a long time and developed disconnection. So it’s time to rebuild those bridges and create new ones—for the people who matter. Bonding with your friends can promote the feeling of belongingness and find a sense of purpose. It can also boost your happiness and reduce stress. Also, building new connections, or networking per se, can help you understand differences and be open to their beliefs or practices that you can apply, and provide business connections for possible ventures.
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