5 Great New Year Resolutions for Self Improvement

New Year’s Day can be seen as an insignificant holiday. Some people think of it as the beginning of another difficult year. I look at it as an opportunity to make goals for yourself and work hard to improve your weaknesses. It’s a time to be grateful for the last year and hopeful for the year to come. These new year’s resolutions can be on everyone’s list.

1. Give more meaningful gifts.

Not expensive gifts, but the more meaningful kind. Go out of your way to spend more time with your loved ones. Help the woman with tons of groceries get to her car. Bake some cookies for your neighbors because you probably already have the ingredients sitting in the house anyway.

Our responsibility as Christians is to show people the love of God; Jesus was selfless as he died on the cross and we can demonstrate a fraction of that selflessness when we love people. Put together gift packages for homeless people that you see standing on the corner in the rain. This package could include snack bars, a little Bible, a bottle of water and a few dollars. We don’t give to feel good about ourselves, but to be different in a world of selfishness.

2. Be a pen pal.

Texts, phone calls, and emails are great, but there’s something extra special about a receiving a letter. The bills, ads and statements can become so dull. A letter from a friend can erase the frustration from a pile of junk mail. And the fact that they took the time to write you by hand and buy a stamp to send it shows they took some time and effort to think of you. Snail mail is the best kind of mail.

3. Choose optimism over negativity.

Life is difficult on this earth, but it’s also temporary. With everything that goes wrong you have a choice to make. You can let it ruin your day or you can choose to brush it off. Your husband making a wrong turn may seem like the end of the world, but in the grand scheme of things it’s not a big deal. The kids spilling chocolate milk on freshly washed sheets can be frustrating, but you can wash them again with a little more effort than planned.

The expectation should be that things will inevitably go wrong. Push the frustration and anger away and work on your flexibility. Becoming easygoing isn’t an overnight transformation, which is why it’s a great resolution to work on all year.

4. Spend less time in front of a screen.

Everyone has their excuses for how much time they spend in front of a screen, but that means time away from loved ones. Work may be unavoidable, but set a limit for the amount of time you spend in front of the TV or computer when you’re at home. This includes smartphones as well. No one wants to talk to you if they feel you’re not giving them your full attention. Fill up the time with games, reading a book, craft time, or coffee with your spouse. Your family and your eyes will thank you.

5. Be spontaneous while living within your means.

I find that the unplanned things I do for myself throughout the day make the whole day feel special. Pampering yourself doesn’t have to be expensive. If you’re hungry, treat yourself to a dollar cheeseburger from your favorite fast food restaurant. If you’re tired, take a bath and paint your toes your favorite nail color. When you need to get out of the house, it’s okay to go shopping if you find a cute wall hanging in the dollar section at the craft store.

During my most spontaneous outings I’ve often found the most special things. You don’t have to be spontaneous by yourself, either. Take an unplanned family trip to the beach or have a winter picnic in the park. Making quick choices breaks up the stress in your life. It would be a tough year if there were never any surprises.

Make the start of 2013 special by surrounding yourself with loved ones and choosing to improve your weak spots. Have a wonderful new year!