Why You've Already Broken Your New Year Resolutions
I know, I know it's only day 6 and you haven't been able to do one of the things that you promised yourself you would do in 2017. I'm here to tell you it's okay, and it is NORMAL!
1. Make changes gradually
Victoria's Secret PINK bottle, Nike Huaraches, and my rose gold Apple Watch (all coincidentally gifts from Jordyn, my boyfriend)
People fall into routines and habits naturally, and to change what you've been doing everyday OVERNIGHT is hard to do. If you've been waking up whenever you feel like it and then decided on New Year's Eve that you would wake up at 6:00 am everyday to work out, that is a MAJOR change for your body. Although that goal is achievable, as all goals that you have made for yourself are, it takes time for your body to adjust to something like that. So perhaps setting your alarm at 7:30 am for one week, 7:00 the next, and 6:30 the week after, and finding a workout buddy to help motivate you, could make it a lot easier to eventually be comfortable waking up at 6:00 am everyday and working out.
2. Make a schedule
After graduating from college I figured out that the calendar app on my phone is not just good for remembering the birthdays that are not on Facebook. I use my calendar to schedule my daily life. If I have a meeting, an appointment, or even an activity I promised myself or a friend that I would do, I put it all in my calendar app.
My Christmas Gift from Jordyn, Apple Watch
I use two apps: Google calendar and the calendar app on my iPhone. Both sync to each other, and I can access my Google calendar on my laptop, and see my iPhone calendar notifications on my Apple Watch. My point is, no matter where I am, my schedule is with me, and without it I would not get much done. Use a calendar, or your phone's alarms to set aside time for the things you promised you would do differently this year.
3. Remind yourself why
YOU know that there was some reason you wanted to make this change in your life. Whatever those reasons were, I'm sure they still apply. Write them all down somewhere, maybe in a notebook or somewhere in your phone, but do not forget what made you want to make this change. Self care is important!
Last year my resolution was that I wouldn't talk to one of my ex's all year long, and he sent me a bunch of messages and I reminded myself that I needed this space and I couldn't let myself down, so I lasted the whole year. Remind yourself why you need this change!
4. Don't give up
It's only the end of week one, and you still have 51 more weeks to change your life in a positive way. Don't be discouraged if this week you messed up at one point. It is not about being consistent, but rather persistent. Maybe you've read this and realized that you didn't even make a resolution but you want to change something in your life. Do it. Go and make that change. It's going to take some time to adjust to this new habit, but be persistent, be patient, remember why you're doing this, and make a schedule to remind you to make some time. Pray about it! God is definitely not against New Year's Resolutions. He knows you need some changing and He'll help you through it.
Be strong!
- MGL