New Year's Resolutions

Add a dash of creativity.

It’s that time a year again, the time of new resolutions or renewed attempts at previous resolutions. Whether you are the person who has already been chipping away at your goal of losing those 10lbs or you are struggling to get motivated, here are some creative, possibly even fun resolution ideas that may make your 2015 more enjoyable, healthy, and successful.

1) Take time to play.

Play is not just for kids! Healthy living, flexibility of the mind, and creative thinking are all connected to one’s ability to spend time playing. This can be done in so many ways- comedy improv classes, making sock puppets, joining a drum circle, taking a hip hop class. If you are a parent this is a great way to bond with your children- find an activity that they love and jump in with them—possibly literally. Just see the smiles on their faces and yours.

2) Boost your creativity.

As adults we tend to get caught up in the busy business of life. This might be meeting work deadlines or waiting in carpool lines, but in either case the relentless scheduling and routine can sap the creative juices. Make a choice to engage in at least one creative activity on a daily or weekly basis. Try out for the community play, take a music lesson, buy a daring new art material, or experiment with a new fix it project. Whether you are increasing your current practice or starting new art form, increasing creativity leads to better moods, better cognitive flow, and better life satisfaction.

3) Follow your bliss.

The activities and hobbies that peak our interest or calm the soul do that for a reason. It’s as if our mind is calling for these moments- because they are. Give yourself permission to follow your brain’s desire- dance in your kitchen, blast 80’s rock in your car, cozy up with a guilty pleasure novel, or paint your walls red.

4) Exercise your mind

So many resolutions surround weight loss, physiques, and exercise, rarely do we focus on our mental abilities as much as our physical abilities. Take your mind for a jog by adding mind challenging activities to your weekly routine. Learn new word every day, work on the Sunday Sudoku, repair a household item, or put together a puzzle that has been sitting on your shelf.

5) Rejuvinate your soul.

Take extra time for peaceful mind calming activities. It’s been shown that engaging in activities that are reflective and meditative reduces stress and increases positivity. Instead of that extra cardio class consider yoga, start a meditation practice before work or before bed, journal about your day, get coffee with a friend, or make an appointment with a therapist.

Most importantly, set New Year’s resolutions with KINDNESS to yourself. Stop judging yourself for missing a day or not reaching that goal at the rate or speed in which you planned. Our “failures” are really only opportunities for learning and re-engagement. Transform that energy that you are spending yelling at yourself into action. Accept that we are all imperfect and that tomorrow is a new day. Start afresh and don’t look back. It’s not about every day or yesterday, but about the day you are currently on. Just take one step forward right now. Trust that the rest will follow.