How To Revamp Your Resolutions This Year

Every year we tell ourselves, "this is it.This is the year I ____," and we fill in the blanks with things like "lose thirty pounds", "stop nagging my husband", "quit smoking".

Some of our self-made contracts are worth the consideration, while others are trite - whatever the case, most of us can attest to the fact that they are breached within a few months of making them. There are resources exclusively targeted to us non-committal commitment makers, advising us on all the wisest ways to keep our word. Maybe what we really need is fresh perspective on how to spice up our life. Instead of fixating on everything that went wrong the year before, perhaps our next set of big ideas could include positive contributions to make us more well rounded people.

Here are some ideas:

Expand your Palette
What kind of food do you find yourself eating the most frequently? Whatever it is, give it a break for a while and try something new. No, like, really new. A category of cuisine you've always wanted to try but haven't had the courage to. Ask your friends for tips on the best new restaurants to try and take your tastebuds out on the town. To branch out even further, host or attend dinner parties. Collect exotic recipes and experiment with your at-home menu by honing your cooking skills. 

Give Back
Buy somebody flowers. Leave notes in library books. Strike up conversation with one new person a day. Make a calendar of monthly charitable donations with a range of different causes. Find something that encourages you to lend yourself to serving others.

Give Something Up
Fasting is not reserved for the religious, and it doesn't necessarily need a specific purpose. Sometimes it's just fun to put our will power and endurance to the test to see how long we can go without relying on our favourite things. Chocolate, potato chips, coffee - pick something you didn't think you could live without and try it for a planned period of time. If you're feeling risky, alternate and switch it up a few times! 

Pose Nude
Have artistic nude portraits done. Shy? All the more reason to go for it. Art classes at universities and colleges are always looking for models to pose for their drawing classes and usually they pay, too! You don't have to display your photos in your front hallway or even advertise your boldness for going bare - do it for yourself! As a resolution, this could really boost your self-confidence and comfort levels.

Take a Class

Join a community class in whatever activity interests you most - knitting, painting, dance, chess, comedy writing.  Get to know people in your area by taking part in a hobby, whether it's old or something entirely new and uncharacteristic of you.

Photo source. 

Courtney Gilmour
		About the author:
		Courtney is a published writer, stand-up comic, and shameless Internet enthusiast. She holds a double bachelors degree in English Literature and Communication Media Studies, specializing in semiotic theory, however she doesn't get Shakespeare and has never won a game of Scrabble. Currently she lives in Toronto and works as a writer for WOMAN.CA.
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