I feel like January has flown past and I've been so busy that I haven't even had time to make 'New Year resolutions' and all that jazz. We're all familiar with the usual new year, new me promises people make, so I thought I'd make a list of things that we can all actually stick to and will actually benefit us in the long-run, and not just in the month of January. Here are 10 ways in which we can all better ourselves and our lives in 2019.
1. Give time to things you actually care about.
I wrote a whole post about making time for the things you actually care about, but in a nutshell life is too short to be doing extra-curricular activities you don't enjoy, being stuck in a 9-5 job you hate, and saying yes to coffee with people who you don't particularly want to spend your afternoon with. So take charge of your free time and fill it with things you actually want to do.
2. Find a diet/fitness lifestyle that works for you.
Instead of saying 'this year i'm going to go to the gym 5 times a week and not eat carbs after 6pm' take some time to figure out what actually works for you and what you enjoy doing. I tried classes and found I suck at following moves and prepare to do my own thing with my own music, whereas my friend loves going spinning 3 times a week. The key is to finding a healthy balance so you can follow a eating lifestyle that is sustainable.
3. Spend more time with actual people.
I admit sometimes socialising can be exhausting, especially if you work in customer service. That being said I think we've got so used to texting and communicating through social media that we don't even like talking on the phone. Try and spend more time with your friends IRL and please, put your phone away when you're in company and try to actually enjoy the other persons company.
4. Do more things that require nothing in return.
Not every good deed you do has to be posted on the internet guys, but once in a while do something selfless and the reward is that it will make you feel great about yourself (for a little while). Whether it's helping your friend with something, doing someone a favour and asking for nothing in return or paying for someones coffee (just not in a creepy way ok).
5. Get a proper skincare routine.
So if you read my last post on my review of iS Clinical, I briefly mentioned how after a skin analysis I was told I have signs of rosacea. Which never would have occurred to me and I would have just kept using the products I was using or going back to soap and water and hoping for the best. I think it's important to identify your actual skin type/concerns and develop a skincare regime which is suited for your particular needs. Also, use SPF sunscreen all year round guys.
6. Learn to enjoy your own company.
I'm quite good at this because, I'm a blast. Ok jokes aside, I think it's so important to be content with yourself and not depending your happiness on things or someone else - maybe this is why I have been single for so long? I love being home alone, cooking with a glass of wine in my pink robe whilst listening to Elvis on my record player pretending I'm a 1950's housewife. There's a big difference between being lonely and being happy alone.
7. Take care of your teeth.
I did want to be a dentist, so I thought this deserved a point of its own. Now that I'm out of school I don't get free dental care anymore, but I still make it a point to go for regular check-ups, take a trip to the dental hygienist twice a year and floss. No matter your age, your teeth are usually what people notice first (at least I do) so it's good to keep on top of them. Whether you're just keeping your teeth healthy, need dental implants or a whiter smile - do whatever you need to do to make yourself happy.
8. Get a hobby.
I was having a discussion the other day with my friend about how we both wanted to learn to play chess, although sadly I don't think we're actually going to go through with it. Either way, before I had my blog when somebody would ask me what I liked to do in my spare time the only thing I could say was 'eh watch a lot of TV shows' and I felt pretty unfulfilled. So having something to do that's 'yours' outside of your other commitments is always good.
9. Tell people what you actually think about them.
I was having this conversation with a friend the other day, about how people only say nice things about you when you're dead. Instead we should get into the habit of letting the people around us know what we appreciate about them, and what we don't. In the same way if someone is being a shitty person you should tell them they're being a shitty person because they might not think they're being a shitty person, you get me?
10. Write something positive about your day, everyday.
So this is something I've started doing on a draft email in my inbox where I'm writing down a positive/pleasant thing that has happened on that day. Not only will it be nice to look back on at the end of the year but it encourages you to see something positive out of the most mundane days. Like yesterday, where my highlight was trying Halo Top ice cream for the first time.
How are you improving your life this year?
G
* This post is written in collaboration with BlueLight Dental London but all words and opinions are my own *
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