As a senior you have seen it all. New Year Resolutions have come and gone and you may even be thinking “why bother.” Still, you have to admit that there is something exciting about the idea of “starting over.” A new day, a new week, a new month, and yes, a new year undoubtedly fills you with hopeful intentions.
You may feel a bit disheartened if you have been making and breaking the same resolutions every year, but chances are you are ready to have another go at it. This year will be different.
Why is it that you haven’t succeeded in the past? Instead of just making blanket statements about health and fitness, try something different. Start by examining what it was that kept you from succeeding the last forty or fifty times.
You make a resolution because you want to “start over.” A new beginning so to speak; a fresh start, an opportunity to master a hobby, learn a language, or change an old habit that has been dragging you down.
You aren’t looking to change good habits. It is the bad habits that hang over your head. You’ve tried to change, over and over again, but this time you will succeed. Keep thinking “older and wiser.” Researchers say you need to replace bad habits with good ones. Something equally rewarding; a walk, a hot bath, taking a class that is particularly interesting to you, learning how to knit, or training for a marathon.
Top new years resolutions generally revolve around spending more time with family and friends, physical fitness, cutting back on smoking or drinking, curbing impulsive spending, learning something new, helping others and getting your life in order. Lofty goals, but you might want to narrow the field. Pick just one or two and have reasonable expectations.
Do it because you really want to and because it is something that will make you healthy and happy. It isn’t too late to change or learn something new. Be optimistic and do it your way.
Leave a Reply