Do you have a habit of making New Year’s resolutions? I used to make them, but I stopped once I got realistic and admitted that I could not keep them. So now I have goals and aspirations for the coming year. And what about you? What are your New Year’s Resolution Ideas in 2022?
While the first free paragraphs are about changes incorporated into my life in 2021, the following two are about the goals/aspirations for 2022.
1. eat HEALTHY
Find a healthy regime that suits your body and mind. For example, in April 2021, I decided to lose 5 kilos that I put on during the pandemic. The steps were quite simple: eat regularly, take smaller portions, not ask for second servings, and avoid sweets. And since I am lactose intolerant, I stick to lactose-free products, which significantly reduce chronic bloating and belly pains. It took me five months to lose those five kilos, but it felt natural, and I did not struggle with cravings.
This year, I would like to inspire my family to eat meat only once a week. Of course, we may never go entirely vegetarian. But reducing the amount of meat we eat will make a big difference, especially as we have already taken different actions to live more sustainably by eating locally produced food. And although we buy meat from our local butcher who knows the producers, I still think we can do better.
2. EXERCISE regularly
I have been following Melisa Wood‘s pilates sessions for six months. I love them because I can choose from 10 to 45 minute long workouts. And it still amazes me how much my body changed in such a short period. It got firmer and toner. And the program is affordable – less than US$100 a year. But for it to work, you need to be consistent, which is easy since the sessions have different lengths. So even if you are very busy or tired, you can do only 10-minute stretching or a yoga session.
3. MEDITATE daily
I like to do guided meditations on the Headspace app. You can choose different lengths, types, and topics. They even have calming videos and meditations for kids. Have you tried it yet?
4. SAVE MORE and SPEND LESS
2020 and the first few months of 2021 were all about paying off my credit card debt. Now I am debt-free and have to start saving. So even though I bought most of my clothes at second-hand stores, I realized I had to reduce this spending as well. It is a big challenge, but I am ready for it.
5. STOP COMPARING YOURSELF to others
In 2021 I decided to practice digital minimalism by spending less time on social media and more with real people. Since it had positive benefits, I will continue to do so.
My 2022 goal is to continue being aware of my shame triggers. Last year I felt ashamed and down on several occasions for different reasons, but one of the most triggering was not being a homeowner. In Switzerland, it is practically impossible to buy a house or an apartment unless you inherit money, your parents help you, or you have a well-paying job in the private sector. Unfortunately, since I chose to work for an intergovernmental organization, I don’t have financial benefits as some friends. And sometimes, I feel like a loser because I don’t own a house.
But on the other hand, I believe that my work helps make the world a better place. And I would not want to work for the companies where my friends perform. Thus, it is quite a clear choice. But when people start inquiring why we don’t own a house yet, I feel judged and not good enough. So this is a trigger that I have been looking at lately and trying to understand why I think the way I think. I also realized that regular meditation practice helps me a lot, and maybe these feelings are a way to bring me back to my meditation practice.
What are your New Year’s Resolution Ideas in 2022? Let me know in the comments below.
