Let’s all take a moment of silence for the year 2020. It’s leaving us in just 13 days but who’s counting? Except all of America. This year is leaving us most likely in tears, if not with a fresh perspective on reality. As the unemployment rates are comparable to the Great Depression, which measured at 25.6% at its peak around 1933. The unemployment rate in April 2020 was at 14.7% for the United States but were much higher in big cities, such as Los Angeles and New York. Sadly, New York was at 20.4% in the month of June. It’s been a year for sure. However, the waters seem to be parting, as a new president is about to take office and a vaccine just hit the United States with another one following closely behind. Good news is you made it and we’re here to make sure that you aren’t part of the 77% that do not keep their New Year’s resolutions (this stat is coming from a 1988 study and has sadly only gotten worse over time). Now, take a deep breath, let your hair down and pour yourself a big ol glass of Merlot because we are going to help you start 2021 fresh and insightful.
1. Relationship Goals- Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
Enter 2021 with a non confrontational approach to your relationship and try to approach issues from both party’s perspectives. If we are talking relationships, I think Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are the epitome of everybody’s relationship goals, how did they get there you ask? Insider explains, “In a 2017 interview with Glamour, Lively said that she and Reynolds always address their problems through honest communication and explained that they go to each other as friends when things get tough. They also were good friends for a year and a half before they started dating, which can be helpful communication wise. The idea to date each other didn’t occur to them until after a double date. I’ll give you a hint, they weren’t on the double date with each other. Awkward but also so good. Three kids and ten years later, worth it.
2. Use the “Topless” Test on the Reg
I know what you’re thinking, “oh man, I hate tests but I love being topless”, Don’t worry not that kind of test. InStyle suggests a resolution in a recent article written on December 16, 2020 and we couldn’t agree more. “Make space for the people you really care about by implementing the ‘topless test’,” suggests Naomi Torres-Mackie, Ph.D., Head of Research at The Mental Health Coalition. What is the topless test, you ask? Only spend time (online or safely in-person) with friends you would take your top off in front of.” InStyle continues to explain that if topless doesn’t do the trick for you, use something else that does. Another example could be, spending time with people who you don’t care to wear makeup around or feel like you have to take a shower before seeing. It’s basically “a benchmark that tells you this is someone you trust and feel good around,” Torres-Mackie says.” You get the picture, the people who hold the purest intentions at heart. Your ride or dies if you will.
3. Read or Write Daily
I don’t think it’s any secret that reading and writing is good for your brain. Often times, in our busy lives we may lose sight of taking the time to actually do these two things on a regular basis. CNBC explains that, it’s not only reading and writing that affects your brain positively but it’s also the type of reader that you are. The article goes on to explain that you could “be a skimmer, quickly darting through paragraphs to get the main points. You might be a detailed reader, meticulously taking in each and every single word. You might even be a chapter-hopper, jumping straight to only the sections that sound interesting to you.” Whatever your style is it affects how you take on real life situations. If you read like you are going to be a writer, even better. “It can help strengthen your skills in communication and storytelling. More importantly, it can help you to become a more persuasive person…” I don’t know about you but I would like to be as persuasive as possible in 2021.
The theme of these resolutions are to focus on the relationships that bring you what you bring to the relationships, no one likes to be in a one sided relationship- and to focus on your mind. Call them resolutions if you would like but hopefully they will be lifestyle changes. As busy as life gets we should always make time for our mind and relationships. Maybe if we don’t call it a New Year’s resolution, it won’t fall into the 77% of people that don’t actually end up completing their resolution, just saying.
