Written By: Caleb Poling | Socialize: @CalebPoling
Every year it's the same thing. Let me guess - your New Year Resolution is to lose a few pounds, give up candy, and go the gym more often. It's repetitive, annoying, and often just an incentive for others to roll their eyes. However, if you can get past the layers of cliche goals you'll find that there's something very optimistic and healthy about the annual ritual.
Goals keep us accountable. They create a drive within ourselves. It's a way for us to say we recognize that we could be better. I like that. I enjoy that we as a society allow for fresh starts across the board.
If you want to lose a few pounds, or go to the gym more that's great, but this year think of it in a new light. Don't focus on losing pounds, focus on feeling and eating better. Don't say what you're not going to eat, say what you will. Instead of giving up candy, make it a goal to incorporate juices more into your diet and slowly rid yourself of the sweets.
Make goals that are fun but still helps in some way. Maybe it doesn't benefit you specifically. For instance, one of my resolutions is to eat at less chain restaurants. What's the point of living in New York if you're just going to get your food from Chipotle? Helping small businesses is a great resolution that doesn't just help you but helps the community. It encourages you to try new places, and it adds to the richness of your life.
It's so easy to be bitter and jaded when it comes to the time of year of what seems to be hopeless and empty promises people make to themselves. Maybe the resolution this year can be to stop looking down on resolutions.
