expatsHaarlem20 New Year resolutions
The start of a year is also when people evaluate what they have done during the past year and what they should change in the upcoming year: the so-called New Year resolutions. Here are 20 very common ones, numbered but not intentionally ranked in ascending order.
Which one is nr 1 for you?
1. Enjoy life to the fullest
Enjoy life to the fullest
This resolution sounds very pleasant and agreeable but the failure rate is very high again. Many people work way too hard and even if they are on vacation and don’t work, they at least think of it.
2. Manage stress better
Manage stress better
What sounds like a natural and reasonable resolution is very often difficult, vague and hardly a measurable thing with only about 5% of people actually doing it. “Next year, less stress!” (Ok, But how?)
3. Spend more time with family
If you manage to keep the previous resolution, it might be easier for you to follow this one as well. The beginning of the year is also an ideal time to spend more time with kids or reconnect with family that you haven’t seen in a while. Unfortunately, people tend to get back to their working routine soon with only small numbers of those who can maintain the goal throughout the whole year.
Spend more time with family
4. Improve a relationship
Improve a relationship
Because of all reasons relationships can be proven. You do know that “That the only thing that really matters in life are your relationships to other people.”, especially to your beloved ones. So, forget disappointments, tiredness, misunderstandings and try to make it work. Because You‘re Both Worth It. ;-).
5. Have a baby
Have a baby
To have a baby is not a New Year resolution that everybody makes but it can be a topical subject in a surprisingly high numbers of women and men. In Europe there is a tendency to postpone parenthood to a later age for various reasons such as career, fear of parental duties, loss of freedom etc. Waiting can later even augment your baby wish.
6. Lose weight
Lose weight
Weight loss is an absolute evergreen. Unfortunately, our determination usually lasts just a few weeks and people soon get back to a more unhealthy routine.
7. Exercise
Exercise
Often, working out is involved in the weight loss but there are people who don’t actually need to lose weight (lucky bastards) but just need some physical exercise to get in shape. The outcome, however, is pretty much the same. According to some researches, most of the promptly gym visitors decrease their exercise frequency in February.
8. Quit smoking
Everybody knows that there is absolutely nothing beneficial about smoking. It is harmful to your health, it makes your teeth yellow, your clothes smell bad, it is extremely annoying for all non-smokers and – last but not least – it is expensive! So why on Earth do so many people smoke? Fortunately, many of them realize all these drawbacks and want to quit smoking. Unfortunately, it is said that only about 10% of those who make the resolution to quit the bad habit will keep it for at least 6 months.
Quit smoking
9. Quit drinking
Quit drinking
“I’m never going to drink again!” – this is what many people suffering from a bad hangover say after every wild party. In many cases this starts on the first of January. Nevertheless, there is actually a considerable amount of people who make a New Year resolution to quit (or at least reduce) drinking.
10. Eat healthier
Eat healthier
Sometimes included in the weight loss resolution, healthier eating is another resolution we often make. Increasing the daily amount of fruit and diminishing those of sugars is a good start.
11. Have a better sleep
Have a better sleep
Sleeping is a crucial factor affecting our physical as well as our mental well-being and it is well known that too many people have some kind of sleeping problem or disorder. Generally, doctors say we should sleep anywhere between 6 to 8 hours. Nevertheless, many find themselves sleeping far less. Warning: resolution 5 and resolution 11 are NOT compatible. Don’t try it: just forget it!
12. Get a new job
Get a new job
With the crisis and a high level of unemployment, lots of people envy a new job in the new year. But even those who have one aim a new challenge. If you ask your friends if they are happy with their jobs, they will most likely tell you “not really”.
13. Travel more
Travel more
Some of the first things we tend to think of in a new year are those exotic destinations and foreign countries we would love to see. Unfortunately, what usually happens is that we need the money for way less exciting and romantic things and our travel bucket list will stay unchecked.
14. Learn a new language
Learn a new language
Learning a new language is a good idea and this resolution ranks among those that quite a high percentage of people actually keep. Especially if they choose a language that is not that difficult to learn. What about Dutch? Mmmm… too difficult to some 😉
15. Try an extreme sport
Try an extreme sport
Laziness, lack of time, lack of courage? Just a very small percentage of people are brave enough to really try one extreme sport out. Maybe some just like to talk about it but are in reality not even that interested.
16. Do something for charity
Do something for charity
It has been statistically proven that during Christmas, donations are several times higher than in any other part of the year. This year we were even more stimulated and ready to give, gotten enthusiast by of Special Request in Haarlem. But once the holiday is over and we return to our everyday reality, our generosity considerably decreases. We shouldn’t stop to help people, from poverty and illnesses. Or, in a little context supporting or just getting more interested in people and good causes around us.
17. Save money
Save money
18. Get rid of old clothes
Get rid of old clothes
The main problem with this resolution is that some people find themselves emotionally attached to clothes, especially their favorite, old pieces. This resolution is every year in my top ten: I am a disaster in putting old stuff away.
19. Spend less time on social media
Spend less time on social media
No explanation needed: recognisable for many of us. For some, logging in and checking their friends activities is one of the first things they do every morning.
20. Run a half or full marathon
Run a half or full marathon
Marathons have become very popular in recent years. Some of us might even have friends who have successfully completed one, which might encourage some us to try and do the same. Unfortunately, when people are confronted with the grueling training needed to accomplish this goal, most decide to quit.
Which one is nr 1 for you?
Unsplash 
Martin Sanchez 
Pixabay