New Year's Resolutions You Won't Want To Live Without - But Will Anyway

The New Year is upon us and like all big calendar days, we will inevitably turn to ourselves for self-affirmation. And more often than not, criticism.  But let's focus on the wonderful aspects of the New Year that hurtles towards us whether you want it to or not. And those resolutions that come with it.

Even if New Year's really isn't your thing, maybe pop on a pair of 2023 pop art glasses and sit there miserably while the revelries continue around you. You could be celebrating the Chinese New Year with a fun new fluffy animal to see the new year in. Or maybe you've been unfortunate enough to be born in the year of a sturdy ox like me. Maybe my inner OxBitch did, in fact, contribute to my life. My heavy-set back is ideal for hauling wagons and pulling carts after all, but perhaps I am being caught up in whimsy.

Such ponderings are perfect for the New Year New You philosophy. And how better to start with some new habits for the new year. Here's a list of resolutions that you too could try your hand at in 2023, and forget about all those pesky woes, shortcomings and downfalls in 2022. Surely, it's better to just forget all about them than fix them?!

Hang Up The Hangovers

Who are we kidding? Most of us will be pumped to start January 1st with a go get em' attitude and a new Bad Bitch lease of life. But more likely, we'll all be lying comatose and grub-like on our beds, a sick pan by our sides and a sense of deep regret. Just like any other Sunday morning, right? 

This hangover isn't like most hangover's however. It's the first day of the new year and a complete new slate for you to wipe clean. Have a bit of comfort in this while your also wiping your toilet clean. I'm sure you're shouting to the heavens 'I'm never drinking again!' in between hurls, but is this realistic? A resolution can be to drink only on the weekends? Or go Tea-Total for a whole month? Or, maybe it's simply to drink in better places. To go out, get dressy a little more, and drink in a well catered environment. Hey, goals are goals.

A Job A Day Keeps The Doctor Away

There's nothing like a sense of starting fresh to think 'Fuck this!' and leave your job in dramatic style. If you're one for the lucky few who can somehow survive off of only their wits alone and nothing else, then I say flounce out of that office on January 1st and never look back. Leave those annoying coworkers looking agape as you strut out into the World for your new 2023 life, and new 2023 job. Or, you may need to bide your time, and earn that cash. Maybe now is the time to go for that promotion and actually put in 100% this year, or submit applications to that job there's no way you'll get.  Because you just might. 2023 hasn't happened yet, so who are we to assume our fate? In the meantime, if you need a bit of advice on how to Get Away With Hardly Working At Work, check out my article below.

Run Hun

Okay, this is always on the To-Do list of resolutions for every person I've ever met. Maybe it's on yours too. We're deffo going to get in shape this year, an hour in the gym and vegan salads from here on out. We say this to ourselves every single year. You might have already achieved that. I salute you for your endeavours, keep it up for the rest of us!

So what might range from taking up running in the new year to signing up for, for some strange reason, a Krav Maga martial arts class when you'd had one too many Budweiser's. It's all good, take that class and become fierce in 2023. And if you ever bump into that loser ex of yours in a pub, you can always drop kick them onto the floor. You'd definitely make your money's worth out of that class then. Make revenge your bitch in 2023 with this easy resolution. Of course, I don't condone extreme martial arts moves on an ex lover (on paper). Or, just go for a run and save yourself the hassle.

Read It And Weep

Have you ever been on holiday, panic bought a 'New York Times Best Seller' book from Waterstones in the airport, and absolutely devoured it on the sun bed? You love the freedom away from your phone, the superiority of a hardback book, judging all those around the pool with the audacity to own a Kindle, of all things. You swear you'll commit to reading a book a week when you return home. Does this happen? Or are you straight back on social media? Still reading technically, but it's more on 'You Should Know These Things By Age 25' on Twitter, and they're almost always to stay off your phone, and make you feel bad about yourself in the process.

Let's make this year about making small steps to those bookworm goals. Try and stay off social media for one hour and have a little go at reading. Whether it's dystopian fiction, the classic novel 'My Bookey Wook' by Russell Brand, or a racey Mills and Boon novel to fill those lonely single gal hours. And if reading isn't your thing, maybe drawing, cooking, or you can always try that Krav Maga class we mentioned above.

Dress To Impress

Are you one of those wonderful people who just change up their look every year or so? Do some make you cringe, like that one edgy goth phase you went through in 2019? Or the complete grunge lockdown look you hate looking back at in 2020? It's okay, we all had terrible eyebrows during those dark, dark days. Let's forgive and forget. Anyhow, maybe 2023 is the year of the chic chick, or street style sass, or the glam gal? Whatever your fancy, take this new year to push yourself out of your comfort zone in the clothes department. You might just fall in love with yourself all over again. Don't forget, there will inevitably be fashion faux pas in this new adventurous fashionista's journey, like wearing a black baker hat with everything for a month and regretting it from then onwards (I’ve been there). You too can achieve these dreams!

Traveller Gal

On the subject of all things new, visiting new places should be top of your list of things to do in 2023. If you're a frequent flyer or prefer the lovely landscapes of your home country, this year you should stretch the boundaries of your travels. You could save up to splash out on a 5-star all inclusive resort in the Maldives, or perhaps a budget backpacker weekend to Paris is more your thing. Honestly, they both sound great. So, like me, run away from any problems, ailments or any other adult responsibilities you may have by boarding a plane, boat, or train? If you're interested in the Trans-Siberian railway experience I suppose (I've heard its a long one).

If going abroad isn’t your thing, maybe take this new year to explore the great outdoors in your own country. A challenging hike, a dip in the nearby sea (if it’s not sub-zero that is), or explore a new town you’ve never been to. I promise it’s worth it.

Cue The New You

I hope this has given you a few ideas on how best to kick off the New Year with that New You that everyone keeps mentioning. 43% of resolutions are dropped after the first MONTH, but that is no reason to give up! After you've got over that New Year's Eve hangover that we all must inevitably face, I hope you're ready to make those positive changes to becoming the best you in 2023! I sincerely hope you stick to your resolutions. But if you don’t, I'll see you again for 2024.