Taming New Year Resolutions
It’s the New Year today! It is that time of the year when we love to make resolutions, to change some bad habits and/or follow some good ones. The most common resolutions that one comes across are to lose weight, quit smoking, read more books, be more financially wise, be better in relationships, follow some hobby etc
But how many of us actually stick to our resolutions? Last year I started going for walks in the morning with a bang but the enthusiasm vanished within a week. My friend M shared that she had made a nice list and then forgot all about it!
Are new year resolutions meant to be broken? Why is it that most of us are not able to stick to the solemn and serious promises we make to ourselves on the new year day?
Is it because our resolutions are a bit over ambitious? Or is it that we don’t believe in our resolutions?
This is what my friend M and I were talking about, a few days ago. Since we both were not able to adhere to our new year goals, the goals that were so close to our hearts, the ones which we were so excited about initially…
We discussed some more about the whys and hows of our past broken resolutions and decided to follow a process while making resolutions this year. We decided to answer a few questions when making resolutions.
- Can I KISS my goal/s? Yes, Keep It Simple Silly!
- Are they Doable. Practicable. Reasonable. Sensible?
- Do they require a sea-change in my habits? Old habits are tough to break. Am I determined, motivated, committed to bring about that change?
- Giant leap vs Baby steps? Will I be able to do better with making small changes in my schedule/habit or by making dramatic changes.
I have resolved to walk for 30 minutes everyday while M has resolved to eat healthy and lose a few kilos.
What are your new year resolutions? What is it that you want to do better, do more or less?
Whatever they are, here’s a picture for us which helps us to do better this new year!
Linking this post to the Write Tribe’s Wednesday Prompt.
Also linking it to January 2014 Ultimate Blog Challenge and NaBloPoMo
To read posts by fellow friends and UBC and NaBloPoMo participants, click here Jairam, Kajal, Kathy, Michelle, Nabanita, Richa, Suzy Que, Sheethal. Yes, we can do we with some more cheering and support 🙂
January 1, 2014 8:37 pm|
Good luck with your resolution, Shilpa!
Somehow even I feel I must lose some weight soon, but that never appears on my resolution list…I wonder why. But I guess, I must start now too 🙂
Thanks!
January 1, 2014 11:34 pm|
Thanks a lot, Kajal. I am determined to make regular walks as a way of life and not to treat it as a forced chore! Good luck to you for your resolutions!
January 1, 2014 8:42 pm|
I absolutely love the last four bullet points in this particular post and completely agree with them a 100% (200% if allowed 😀 )
Coincidentally enough I have scheduled a post tomorrow on a similar topic, watch out for that one 😀
January 1, 2014 11:35 pm|
Thanks a lot, Jairam. Glad you liked these four questions that we must ask ourselves! Wow… that’s cool, looking forward to read your post on this theme! 🙂
January 1, 2014 8:59 pm|
Happy new year. Fitness is on the minds of majority of the people. All the best for the resolution..
January 1, 2014 11:36 pm|
Thanks Archana and wish you the very best in 2014 too! 🙂
January 1, 2014 9:03 pm|
That is the reason why I don’t believe in New Year resolutions. When I see the need to change something, I commit to myself and begin doing it. I guess, it does not need to be at the turn of a year to do it.
January 1, 2014 11:37 pm|
True, that should be the spirit actually. One should not be deciding to do something only on a specific day/date. It should be like, “jahan aankh khule vanhi savera”.
January 1, 2014 9:50 pm|
Making a sea change in habits is indeed a little over ambitious. That is why I steer away from making new year resolutions.
But that’s like throwing the baby with the bath water. That’s not good either.
Happy new year Shilpa. 🙂
January 1, 2014 11:44 pm|
True, goals should be realistic. I know what you mean, but we must have some goals as goals have a way of transforming wishes into wants; cant’s into cans; dreams into plans; and plans into reality. A very happy and joyous 2014 to you and your family too, Dagny! 🙂
January 1, 2014 10:34 pm|
The walks, the walks, the walks…if only my resolutions had turned into kilometres! But let’s do it this year, Shilpa. This is the year for walks. You know what? Let’s use the time to take pictures for our blogs! 🙂
Happy New Year again, Shilpa and wish the three of you the very best in 2014. ♥
January 1, 2014 11:47 pm|
Amen to the Kilometers!! I wish we stay committed to our goals of a healthy life! That’s a fab idea… walks and clicks… is like killing two birds with one stone 😀
Thank you so much, Corinne and wishing you a fantabulous 2014 too 🙂 ♥
January 1, 2014 11:32 pm|
Happy New Year Shilpa. Wish you all the best with the Walks.
January 1, 2014 11:48 pm|
Thank you so much Prats and wishing you the very best for your goals this year too! 🙂
January 2, 2014 12:17 am|
Happy New Year and all the best! 😛
January 7, 2014 1:37 pm|
Thank you Privy and a very happy new year to you too 🙂
January 2, 2014 3:25 am|
Good luck with your new year resolutions. Any resolution is doable as long as we are disciplined.
January 7, 2014 1:38 pm|
Well said! Thanks a lot SG and a very happy 2014 to you too 🙂
January 2, 2014 5:32 am|
Good luck with your resolution Shilpa! And Happy New Year! I found that last year when I made goals I was able to stick to them better. And yes, they were realistic and doable. The only one I wasn’t able to do was because it kinda ended up contradicting another goal! 😛
January 7, 2014 1:39 pm|
So glad that you achieved what you set yourself up for PB! Thank you and wish you a very happy 2014 too 🙂
January 2, 2014 7:39 am|
If I take up a resolution, I generally adhere to it. The only reason I may not stick to it is if I am not able to do it/it’s too difficult. But I don’t take any resolution on new year’s day – it’s a year-long thing.
I think it comes down to how much we want the result out of our action/resolution – if we want it very much, we’ll stick to the resolution.
Destination Infinity
January 7, 2014 1:40 pm|
Well said, Rajesh. I like your discipline in sticking to your resolutions. That’s simply commendable 🙂
January 2, 2014 7:58 am|
I have not resolved anything, not a resolution person really as I own very weak will power 😛 however, if I could imbibe that 30 mins of walking as much as possible everyday I think I would have a wonderful year 😀
January 7, 2014 1:41 pm|
Good luck to you for your walks too, D 🙂
January 2, 2014 8:03 am|
Good luck with your resolutions Shilpa. I’ve stopped making them. Going with the flow for me works better. That way I can blame the Universe if things don’t get done lol!
January 7, 2014 1:41 pm|
I like the way you think, Suzy 😀 Thanks a lot and HNY to you too 🙂
January 2, 2014 8:30 am|
Those questions are really important for sticking to your resolution. For me most important is the practicality. I did made some resolutions & completed 70% of them :). I hope to do 100% this year.
All the best for your resolutions Shilpa. 😀
January 7, 2014 1:42 pm|
Wow! That’s inspiring! Thanks a lot, Praveen and good luck to you too 🙂
January 2, 2014 9:49 am|
Happy New Year Shilpa….30 min walking daily is really good resolution ..Wish you all the best in achieving it 🙂
I m never good with keeping my resolution..still made 5 this year..let see how it goes.
January 7, 2014 1:43 pm|
All the best to you Rashmi for all your 5 resolutions. Thanks a lot and HNY to you too 🙂
January 2, 2014 10:10 am|
Love those pointers in the end .. I have also thought around those lines and formed this years resolutions.. A very happy new year to you and your family .. 🙂
January 7, 2014 1:44 pm|
That’s cool, simple girl. Good luck to you for all your goals this year! Thanks and Happy 2014 to you and your family too. Cheers 🙂
January 2, 2014 10:18 am|
Always watch New year resolutions with some skepticism.
January 7, 2014 1:48 pm|
Hmmm…. true that! 😀
January 2, 2014 11:34 am|
I stopped making new year resolutions, instead decided to make them as and when I feel like it … not that it worked mind you 😛 Wishing you a beautiful 2014.
January 7, 2014 1:49 pm|
LOL… That’s a good strategy 😀 Thank you and a very happy new year to you too, Seeta 🙂
January 2, 2014 12:02 pm|
Wish you and family a very happy new year 🙂 All the best for your resolutions..
January 7, 2014 1:50 pm|
Thanks a lot, Seena and a very happy 2014 to you too 🙂
January 2, 2014 1:27 pm|
Exercising and eating healthy is what I resolve to do everyday. I’m sure we all know how difficult that is! Every year I plan to lose a few kilos, but the kilos are really stubborn. I guess when it comes to this resolution, we all lack the determination. Huh!!
January 7, 2014 1:56 pm|
I know, wonder why our resolutions fail when they are concerned with our health!
January 2, 2014 1:51 pm|
Wish you all the best for your resolution! I have some wishes for 2014 not sure if I’ll be able to work towards realizing those!!
January 7, 2014 1:56 pm|
All the best for your wishes and goals, may they all come true, Nabanita! Thanks a lot 🙂
January 2, 2014 3:28 pm|
That sounds simple enough, yet i kow how tough it is to follow through. Best of luck Shilpa… Hope you stick with it.
January 7, 2014 1:57 pm|
Thanks T… need all the good wishes 🙂
January 2, 2014 4:10 pm|
It’s a good strategy…
All the best for your resolutions
Happy New Year!
January 7, 2014 1:57 pm|
Thanks a Happy 2014 to you too, Sheela 🙂
January 2, 2014 5:24 pm|
Shilpa, if there’s somebody I will bet hands down will stick to new year resolutions, its u gal! So off u go walking… walk, walk n walk!
January 7, 2014 1:58 pm|
Love your optimism and faith, Meena 🙂 Thanks a lot, sweetie ♥
January 2, 2014 6:41 pm|
I never make any resolutions for the New Year.
I enjoy watching people crack their resolutions which gives me happy that I never made one.
Yes,I make a resolution a day and stick to it.
As for keeping fit,I give it maximum importance.
I am committed to morning walk for years.Even during this season,I am out for walk at 5.30 in the morning.
Shilpa, having made the resolution ,ensure you stick to it till you break it.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
January 7, 2014 1:59 pm|
Wow! You are so inspiring, Mr Chowla. Hope I stick to my resolutions this year! Thanks a lot 🙂 And a very happy 2014 to you too 🙂
January 2, 2014 9:08 pm|
I never make any resolutions. now. Years ago I used to resolve, but could never fulfill it. I feel that. it is difficult to stick to resolutions. All the best to you. I am sure you will be successful. All the best, Shilpa.
January 7, 2014 2:00 pm|
Thanks a lot Ma’am and a very happy and healthy 2014 to you and your family 🙂
January 2, 2014 10:20 pm|
I am going to be spending more time with myself. Idle or so I would like to say. I am always forever running around, time management is my resolution this time round 🙂
January 7, 2014 2:00 pm|
All the very best, Richa for your goal! Cheers 🙂
January 2, 2014 11:45 pm|
Hi Shilpa,
You take up so many challenges, like writing something or other everyday, then why can’t you take up the challenge of walking , I am sure you will not give up, if you put your mind to it. And it is so good to walk and get ideas floating through your mind while walking, ideas just emerge from nowhere. It would be fun, just don’t give up till next year, by then you would not even feel like giving up. Just don’t walk with someone, for their absence can sabotage your own walking routine.
I don’t believe in New year resolutions, if I decide to do it, I will do it even if doesn’t give me the results. The idea is to ‘just do it’ as the Nike Ad says.
January 7, 2014 2:02 pm|
You are spot on, Rama. I dont why I am not so conscious of my health! But I will this time. Thanks a lot for inspiring and a very happy 2014 to you and your family! 🙂
January 3, 2014 1:56 am|
Haha.. I liked those four bullet points.. All the best for your resolutions..!
Ashwin
January 7, 2014 2:02 pm|
Thanks a lot Ashwin. Glad you liked this post 🙂 HNY to you 🙂
January 3, 2014 3:39 am|
Happy new year Shilpa. I have stopped making resolutions, since I know I will break them. Good luck for your resolution.
January 7, 2014 2:03 pm|
LOL 😀 Thanks A and Happy 2014 to you too 🙂
January 3, 2014 7:19 am|
Good luck with your resolution Shilpa, its never easy to stick to it but then that’s what makes it a challenge. Gradual changes always yield better results in my experience.
January 7, 2014 2:04 pm|
Hmmm…. true that! Thanks and happy 2014 to you, Reshma 🙂
January 3, 2014 5:12 pm|
The walks..the kilos…I need it all… And I do feel resolutions are jinxed…not to be completed..so I made it a point not to write them down anywhere… Wish you a very Happy new Year …..
January 7, 2014 2:04 pm|
Hope we are able to remove the kilos, Shiva! Thanks and good luck to you too 🙂
January 3, 2014 9:45 pm|
Hope you succeed in achieving your goals Shilpa. I could never adhere to them for years now 😛
January 7, 2014 2:05 pm|
Thanks Sunita and a very happy new year to you and your family 🙂
January 4, 2014 12:18 am|
Good luck to you, shilpa. i am not skeptical or cynical when it comes to resolutions. Although i try to stick to it, there are times i get indisciplined. i think it is okay.
January 7, 2014 2:06 pm|
Thanks a lot Asha 🙂 Yes, it is ok to relax sometimes! 😉
January 4, 2014 6:00 pm|
Glad you pushed me into doing this along with you all 🙂
January 7, 2014 2:06 pm|
Cool 😀 Glad that we are doing it together, Sheethal 🙂
January 5, 2014 5:19 pm|
Shilpa wish you all the best for your New Year resolution. I’ve never made a new year resolution so far. This year I hope to read and write a bit more. Let’s see how it works out. Happy New Year once again 🙂
January 7, 2014 2:07 pm|
Happy reading and writing, Diana. Thank you and happy 2014 to you too 🙂
January 7, 2014 11:03 pm|
I completely agree with you. When desire becomes greed, resolutions are meant to be broken. People tend to take up over ambitious resolutions, which wouldn’t even last a week. I follow the KISS policy too 🙂
Happy New year 😉
January 8, 2014 1:00 pm|
I agree with your perspective, Shilpa and quite often, I’ve failed at resolutions since I believe that we should set reasonable goals. Love how you put it, ‘Kiss ur goals’ and we should visit the targets from time-to-time:)