You know that phrase, “New year, new me”? Do you buy into it? I don’t usually, because even though it’s a new year, it’s still the same old crap. I don’t really do New Year’s resolutions. I just aim to do better. I’m usually good for about a month, but then I slip back into my old habits.
This year, for the sake of my mental health, I feel like I do need to make some changes. There are three things I want to try to improve on. These aren’t listed in any particular order. First, I want to make a conscious choice not to eat beef. I tried this a few years ago and managed it for about a year and a half. This time, I’d like to aim for the same goal, but with a more flexible mindset. I say “choose not to eat it” instead of “give it up” because I want to be realistic and not too strict with myself. For example, if I’m at a friend’s house and they’re serving spaghetti bolognese, I’m not going to refuse to eat it. But if I can go a whole year without actively choosing beef, I think I’d be able to say I successfully gave it up.
Second, I want to get better about being financially responsible. I’ve always had this unhealthy mindset that money grows on trees—just in case you were wondering, it doesn’t. I make a decent living, but I tend to spend more than I save, which is honestly pretty sad. All of my friends are good with money, but I definitely struggle in that area. Last year, my sister got me a savings challenge box. It’s this box with small envelopes, and each month you open one that tells you how much money to put in. By the end of the challenge, you should have saved up $2,000. I started it when she first gave it to me, but I ended up dipping into the box and never got back on track. This year, I want to make a real effort to contribute money every month and try to save a bit from each paycheck.
The third and final thing I want to focus on in 2025 is exercising more. I walk my dog, Milo, every day, but honestly, it’s more because he makes me than because I enjoy it. I do it because it makes him happy, but I don’t really find it fun. The truth is, I don’t love exercising, even though I know it’s been scientifically proven to help with anxiety, which I struggle with. A few weeks ago, though, I came across a 13-week fitness planner from Habit Nest on Instagram that doesn’t require any equipment or leaving the house. It seemed like something I could actually stick with, so I want to give it a try and bought the journal.
The journal essentially teaches you how to use your own body weight for daily workouts. I’m actually looking forward to trying out the exercises in the book, not just to get in better shape, but also to help improve my mental health. Plus, I’d really love it if, when I wave, my upper arm doesn’t keep waving back.
I really hope I can stick to my New Year’s resolutions. Do you have any goals or resolutions for 2025?
