Like most people, I have set numerous resolutions at the start of a new year - only to abandon those resolutions before the end of January.
It is incredibly difficult to create a new habit and stick with it for 365 days without faltering. Even worse, when I do stumble it becomes much easier to create excuses and return to my old routine.
For this reason, I have been setting goals for the month of January as my new year resolutions for the past several years. For me, this makes the task much easier to achieve. Since I am only committing to 31 days, the challenge seems much more achievable. I can do anything for just one month - at least that's what I tell myself.
In the past, I have tried various diets for the month of January:
Sure, I hoped to loose weight and become healthier with these diets. However, the main reason that I tried each of them was to expand my palate when cooking and dining out. There a numerous foods that I learned to enjoy from these diet experiments.
This year, I have a dietary resolution for the month of January, an exercise resolution, and a social resolution.
Another thing I like to do in the new year is begin the year already taking on these new habits. Rather than waiting for an arbitrary date, like January 1st, I begin these new habits at the end of December as I commit to them.
The first habit I have committed to for my January fitness resolution is practicing yoga on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday each week. This past Wednesday was the first day of this new practice.
Next, I have also committed to fasting each Monday through the month of January. This means I will not be consuming any calories on Mondays throughout the month. However, I will be drinking water, coffee, and tea on Mondays.
Lastly, the social resolution for this January is the reason behind this blog post. I will be deleting the Facebook app on my phone and only using Facebook on my computer - and only for work. I will remain in contact with friends and family on the phone, via email, and with posts here on my website.
Since March, there are a significant number of friends and family that I have not talked with. Our communication has reduced to likes on social media - not even comments on posts, just likes.
After January is over, I may choose to return to my old habits. There is every possibility that I will regret making these changes in my life and choose to return to my past behavior. However, January could be the month that I learn a different way to live which I choose to keep throughout the year.
Rather than going into the new year making resolutions that are very difficult to maintain, I use January as a month for experimentation and lifestyle design.
What changes are you making in the new year?