Okay, so I might be jumping the gun a bit on this one. ‘Feliz Navidad’ is still irritating one and all in a mall near you, and some of us are sitting at work, stressing about the Christmas gifts we haven’t bought yet and secretly searching for holiday accommodation. But just put a hold on that eyeroll and humour me.
There are many trivial aspects of modern life that we, the weary denizens of the 21st century, are allowed to shirk. In fact there are many things we owe it to ourselves to shirk, like sorting out the 40th page of our Gmail history or doing enough stretches to finally be able to reach our toes without grunting like a moose. But then there are worthwhile activities which, unfortunately, we have come to feel similarly apathetic about.
Making a list of New Year’s resolutions is one such disregarded pursuit that many now deem unnecessary, time-consuming and even tiresome. Maybe it’s because, like with many worthwhile celebrations, it has become too commercialized. Maybe sticking to New Year’s resolutions is too difficult nowadays, what with the hurried lives we live. Or maybe it’s the fact that these resolutions are just another thing we commit to and, when we don’t achieve what we have set out to do, we feel that we haven’t lived up to the front page of our favourite lifestyle magazine ̶ yet again.
Whatever the reason, in most cases people’s reactions to New Year’s resolutions are about as inspired as a shrug and after asking around it was surprising to notice the lack of enthusiasm most people showed about their own self-improvement. That is, after all, what making a New Year’s resolution is all about. If there is anything in your life you’d like to change, somewhere you’d like to go or something you wish to improve, there is no reason for you to evade it. And since a resolution is something you do for yourself to improve the quality of your life, what could be a valid reason not to give it a go?
So, though this blog may seem a bit premature, it may actually be perfectly timed. You see, maybe we haven’t really kept to our previous resolutions, because they were champagne-induced wishes made under pressure of a countdown with fireworks in the one ear and people whoop-whooping in the other. Perhaps the way to go with making New Year’s resolutions is to really think about what we need to or want to improve upon in the coming year and figure out how we are going to do it.
We’ve compiled a list of 7 broad, easily attainable resolutions which could lead to a fuller, happier life. If your shoulders involuntarily sagged while reading the previous sentence, just remember these wise words from Karen Lamb: “A year from now you may wish you had started today.”
I SHALL work up a sweat
Losing weight is probably one of the resolutions people make most often, but rarely stick to. That’s because when the going gets tough, the tough… don’t feel like pumping iron in the gym. When our schedules are busy we’d rather use the little free time we have to do something enriching, not physically challenging. So maybe our new year’s exercise-resolution shouldn’t be focused on how many kilos we’ve shed or how many hours we’ve spent at the gym, but rather on trying new activities, seeking out new places on foot or bike and working up a sweat along the way.
If you’ve exhausted all of the scenic routes in your vicinity, look a little further afield. Seek out vacation destinations with ample opportunity for walking tours, swimming and adventure sports you’ve always wanted to try. South Africa has so many beautiful beaches, waterfalls, scenic routes, vineyards and mountains to traverse. So why not challenge yourself and get to know some of them? You could meet interesting new people, lose some weight and feel enriched in the process.
I SHALL be more mindful of my health
Healthy mind, healthy body. It’s a cliché for a reason. Being more mindful of your body and what it needs, is the best way to stay healthy. This doesn’t necessarily entail a major change in lifestyle, there are small tweaks you can make to your lifestyle that could have great results if you stick to it. Being more aware of how much time you spend in the sun is a good place to start ─ make sunblock a part of your morning routine. Get a rocking pair of shades and have them on you constantly. And if you’ve always hankered after the happy haberdashery-heyday, make hats a part of your accessories.
Secondly … Sleep! Being stricter with yourself about your sleeping times is a sure fire way of giving your body the necessary amount of zzzz’s it needs. Apart from your body resting, anyone with a cursory knowledge of psychology knows that sleep is a great way of fighting stress, stabilising emotions and working through suppressed frustration, leaving your body and mind charged for the next day’s challenges.
I SHALL be real
Ever rolled along the corridor of a mall like a tired tumbleweed looking for something specific, but finding nothing in the vast amount of products offered? Ever been busier posting photos of special moments on social media than enjoying the moments themselves? Ever wondered, as you bit into a fast food meal, what unpronounceable ingredient was going to give you heartburn because it just doesn’t belong in your body? We should strive in the coming year towards new, authentic experiences, authentic products and authentic food.
Some reckon the era of the mall is slowly passing as buying power is shifted toward more authentic products. Slow markets with organic food prepared right in front of you and products made and sold by people you can actually speak to about their trade, are attended by thousands. This is a sure sign of weariness with the redundancy offered at retail outlets … As the title of Rob Kroes’ essay series reads: “If you’ve seen one, you’ve seen the mall.” How about we strive to be more “real” in the coming year? Support craftsmen and women who love the trade they practice and the unique handmade products they sell; eat real food made by people who know exactly what’s in there; and live in the moment instead of focusing too much on capturing it for everyone else to validate on social media.
I SHALL be quiet
It seems quite a task to find a truly silent place these days. If it’s not the blaring of traffic or music, it’s the uncanny hum of electronics ever ready to help us fill our days with more noise. Maybe it would be a good resolution to learn to be comfortable with silence and to foster it in the coming year in order to be less flustered and stressed and more in touch with our own thoughts. Mute your phone when you get home; don’t switch on the TV immediately; speak less, but say more; make a point of observing the world around you; notice when you are feeling over-saturated with noise and make a point of finding some quiet space to unwind, even if that means taking a vacation somewhere off the grid where you can truly rest. Check out these off the grid spots.
I SHALL do good
You must have known this one was coming! It is one of the strangest things in life that enriching the lives of others invariably enriches one’s own. So why not try to do something selfless and uplifting in the coming year, no matter how small. If you’ve always put off donating blood or filling in the forms to become an organ donor, take the time to do it in 2017. If this is not your type of thing, donate those dusty books you haven’t read since way back when to a school in need or some clothes to a worthy cause.
Or, if you feel like doing your part for the environment, there are great campaigns powered by hard-working South Africans for you to get involved in. You could buy a ticket to GreenPop’s Platbos Reforest Fest this coming March where you will be able to enjoy good food, music, activities and conversation as you help rebuild a truly unique and endangered ecosystem alongside passionate people. Or you could help the Giant Flag Project construct their spectacular 8 hectare South African flag comprising of different colours of indigenous desert plants and solar panels in the middle of the Great Karoo. Once completed, this flag will be a natural wonder that can be seen from space. It will power 4000 homes and create jobs for many. All you have to do is sponsor a plant for R100 and, bingo, you’re a part of it! There are so many worthwhile causes in our country that it might seem a little overwhelming at times, but as Madiba said: “A good heart and a good head are always a formidable combination.” So how about listening to yours.
I SHALL learn something new
This could be anything from learning to play a new instrument, learning a new language, writing, sewing, gardening, surfing, drawing, or, if these seem too ambitious for your taste and schedule, maybe you could start small. Resolve to find one new recipe every month or so that you could add to your menu. Learn your favourite poem by heart. Learn how to use a new app that could make your life easier. Keep a list on your phone of things you don’t know, but would like to research and update the list every time you come across something unknown that piques your interest. You’ll be astounded at how much you learn within a few months!
I SHALL plan to get away
We’ve all fallen into the trap of putting off the planning of our annual vacation and ended up not getting to stay where we would’ve liked, paying an exorbitant price to clinch a last minute spot on an airplane or at a resort, or having to leave some friends or family members behind since their schedules didn’t correspond. So, make 2017 “The Year of the Great Vacation” and start planning early to prevent the stresses of getting everyone on board at the last minute. You’ll also save money by researching more thoroughly and booking early and you’ll be guaranteed an opening at the holiday spot of your choice. In fact, planning a vacation boosts happiness levels and breaks the stress cycle. Every time your boss is a bit hard on you or a client is being particularly difficult, you know that somewhere in the near future, there is a getaway tuned to your very own specifications waiting for you and your loved ones. With more than 14 000 accommodations across SA, catering to every taste, you’re bound to find your ideal getaway on TravelGround. So what are you waiting for? Start planning!
Regardless of the resolution(s) you choose, you will be working towards improving your life in the coming year and that in itself is something to clink your champagne glass to this coming New Years.
Main image: Amanda Bowman
