Lighten Up On Yourself This Year, Please
Lindsey MandellTHE SANTA CLARAJanuary 7, 2016
[dropcap]Y[/dropcap]ep, it’s that time of year again when there isn’t an excuse to eat unhealthily for another six weeks, at least, until Valentine’s Day. Even then, only a certain amount of the population celebrates that holiday. So basically, it’s time to wipe off the cookie crumbs, throw out the eggnog and set your New Year’s Resolutions straight.
What is it going to be this year? Stay on top of your suggested readings? Eat healthier? Try out the new TRX cross fit training class that you know will get your body looking right? Well, I envision you on Valentine’s Day in line at Safeway (post decision to skip the gym) with already-opened boxes of chocolates and double stuffed Oreos that you bought for yourself.
Let me make something clear, I am not poking fun at any of your resolutions. In fact, the three I previously mentioned are, yes, all mine. What I am saying is that we need to lighten up on ourselves. This year try and change the intense, fixed expectations you create around achieving your often unrealistic resolutions.
Don’t ditch your resolutions all together, but instead work towards making them more enjoyable, realistic and actually healthy—not something that is just going to create stress in your life.
Turn the negatives into positives and maybe even involve others in your 2016 endeavors. Resoltuions don’t always need to be solo, check in with friends and family and see what you can do with them this year.
Make a resolution with your friend to walk more places rather than drive. Decide, with a family member, you are going to delete one social media app just for fun to see who can go longer without it. Get together with your housemates and think of some fun-themed Fridays where you all have to wear Hawaiian shirts or tie-dye for the day.
Do something fun. Do something that feeds you and the people you love in a positive manner. It sounds simple, but I promise it is harder than you think.
Self-reflection at the start of each new year is absolutely necessary, and maintaining goals and aspirations to help you become your best self is vital for success. But, paying attention to other aspects of your life is just as important. Vow you will take the long walk back to your room—stroll through mission gardens for some time to self-reflect.
Rather than harp on boosting your GPA, buy a fun planner and make writing down your work an exciting task. Allow yourself to be less serious, poke fun at yourself, say no less and say yes more.
Don’t be so hard on yourself when it comes to changing the way you lead your life. There is no need to focus on everything wrong in your life that should be different, but rather focus on the positive aspects.
What could you add to your daily routine that will enhance the overall quality of your life. But most importantly, be okay with yourself in this moment, leave last year in the past and allow tomorrow to come when it does.
No doubt is it important to keep your serious goals in line this year. Before you know it, 2017 is going to be knocking at the door and you’re going to be ready for a new set of resolutions.
Lindsey Mandell is a sophomore English and psychology major and is editor of the Opinion Section.