When did it become cliché to be anti-cliché? I’m asking for a friend, because this post will probably be pretty cliché.
Any time the calendar year comes to an end, you tend to reflect on things from the past 12 months. Maybe it’s all the “year in review” things we see on TV and the web, maybe it’s getting that end-of-the-year bonus at work and thinking back on all the hard work you did to earn that bonus.
Along with waves of reflection come new goals for the New Year. It’s easy to say that you want to be healthier and/or lose weight – two of the most common “New Year’s Resolutions” in America today. But putting those words to work is entirely different.
If your resolution is to lose weight/exercise more and you plan on hitting the gym this week, don’t expect to see a lot of the same faces come February. Most people quit their resolution by the middle of the second month of the year! Keep that in mind when you go, so that you don’t become a statistic.
But Krystle, it's the second week of February! Why didn't you post this a month ago?!
Why did I wait so long to post this? Because studies show that it actually takes 66 days on average to create a habit. The old theory of 21 days has been debunked by science. So with a little over one month down, I’m about halfway through that 66-day journey.
Below are my main seven goals for 2017:
{1} Be more patient I’m a lifetime sufferer of OCS (Only Child Syndrome) which has slightly impacted my everyday life. I’m used to instant results or answers. I’m trying to actively learn that not everything is instantaneous, and a lot of great things take time. My life is so rushed between a 9-5 job, the hour+ drive to and from the office, a hockey job on nights and weekends, a social life (or lack thereof) – I oftentimes forget to stop and enjoy the moment. That leads to the second goal….
{2} Get back into yoga I found yoga while in college at a quaint loft downtown, just a few blocks from campus. I loved that it both challenged and relaxed me at the same time. I often found it difficult to find a class that fit my schedule after graduation - it got even worse when I moved to Pennyslvania where I had to drive 90 minutes away to a studio - so I resorted to doing yoga at home with the help of YouTube videos for instruction. Since then, I’ve let my commitment fall to the wayside by claiming that I was too busy or too tired to do any sequences at home. No more. I know that even 10-15 minutes a day will be beneficial for the rest of the day.
{3} Travel more As we grow older, our friends move up and on. I now have college friends all across the nation and friends from my days with StatsStyleScore.com across the U.S. and Canada. Why not take a weekend to go see their amazing cities and branch out? I plan on going back to Toronto, Cincinnati, North Carolina and Florida along with new adventures to California, Colorado, Ottawa and New York in the next two years. A quick getaway can do wonders for the soul.
{4}Cook more I’ve always felt at home in the kitchen. Cooking for others makes me happy – even when I’m making something that I’m not a particular fan of. Along with getting back in to yoga, eating better will in turn make me a happier person throughout the day. Being able to prepare healthy meals will benefit me in the long run, rather than depending on a swing through a fast food drive-thru after a late night game. All of this will lead to the next…
{5} Healthier = happier Being overall healthier, not necessarily focusing on losing weight, will lead to a happier lifestyle. My goal isn't to see the number on the scale or the size of my jeans go down. It's to feel better both inside and out. It's so important to not worry about the number on the scale, but rather how much better you feel. I was highly discouraged in the fall of 2016 when my kickboxing trainer drastically cut his time at the gym I went to on a regular basis. It’s been a struggle to find the time in my hectic schedule for right combination of a self-motivated gym session and meal prepping.
{6} Work in hockey more It's my passion and it's a job that truly does not feel like work to me. Any time I'm working a game and see the fans excited about a win, I'm filled with joy. I have so many creative ideas floating around that I can't wait to put into play. Thankfully, I work for an amazing organization with a great group of guys on the ice - which makes it all so much easier.
{7} $ave more money I've always been terrible at this. Ask anyone I know and they will tell you that my money constantly burns a hole in my pocket. However, if I want to accomplish the six previous goals, it will require a nest egg of some sorts. I started a monthly budget spreadsheet that is accessible from my iPhone, iPad and desktop. Hopefully a monthly spreadsheet will help me to find where I can cut out some spending and save for more necessities.
What are your goals for 2017? What are you doing to make them a reality? Share and inspire others by commenting below!