by BR Natalie
We did it. We made it out of 2020 and now those old annual cliches actually sound reassuring. New year, new you. Out with the old, in with the new. It can't be as bad as the last.
With that tick over from 2020 to 2021 we all no doubt asked ourselves...what am I going to resolve to do better this year?
At the age of 36, I think I've finally learned the trick to New Year's Resolutions. Brace yourself, it's an eyeopener.
Don't make them too hard.
Told ya. Mind blowing. And also - don't make them dependent on finances. I hate spending money on things my heart really isn't in to, don't you? And as a reward for bettering yourself with free stuff, you can spend money on things you like.
So here are my ideas for easy New Year's Resolutions that are also pretty much free! Pick one, pick a couple and we'll meet here in a year's time to compare results.
Beauty. Resolve to:
- Spring-clean your makeup collection, if it's sat unused for the last year, or is really old, bin it.
- Take off your makeup every single night.
- Clean your makeup brushes once a week.
- Shampoo your hair no more than every 2 to 3 days.
- Exfoliate your skin once a week.
- Apply SPF every day - rain or shine.
- Step out of your comfort zone. Try those red lips you've always loved.
Health and Fitness. Resolve to:
- Get up-to-date on your lady WOFs - when did you last have a smear or a mammogram?
- Apply SPF every day - rain or shine. (Yes, we know we've listed it twice, but it's important!)
- Move more. It doesn't take an expensive gym membership, or a spare room full of the latest As Seen On TV exercise equipment to get healthy. Opt to walk when you can or put on your favourite tunes and dance. Just move more.
- Drink 2 - 3 litres of water a day.
Lifestyle. Resolve to:
- Get a proper bra fitting.
- Only wear clothes that fit you, regardless of the number on the label.
- Not buy any new DVDs, Books or Music until you've finished what's currently un-watched, un-read or un-heard in your collection.
- Do more of what you love. How many times over the last year have you said "I used to do [insert hobby here] all the time, but now I just don't have the time. Make the time.
- While we're talking about time - resolve to NOT feel guilty about how you choose to spend YOUR time. Time is a gift - don't let anyone squander your time.
And my top free, and easy-ish New Year's Resolution for 2021 is:
Do something nice for someone you don't know. Whether it's donating what you spring clean instead of flogging it for a tenner on Trade Me or buying a coffee for the person after you. It doesn't take something huge to make a huge difference to someone else. And just imagine how happy a world of people hopped up on free coffee would be...
The big takeaway from 2020 for me was simply...gratitude. I'm English. My family are back home in the UK where life is very, very different right now. Me? I'm in a beautiful bubble of 5 million, my nearest and dearest are happy and healthy. If I get to this time next year as grateful for 2021 as I am right now, then I'm going to be pretty darn happy. If I can check some of the things off of this list? I'll be just a little bit proud too!
I've saved all of these to my to-do list!