Who says New Year’s resolutions have to be boring?!
In fact, if you’ve struggled to follow through on past resolutions, maybe the problem was simply that your resolutions weren’t exciting enough.
So while we won’t fault you for including the classics, we highly recommend sprinkling in one or two off-the-wall resolutions to keep you motivated throughout 2022. Check out the ideas below, then leave us a comment with your resolutions for the new year!
1. Try a completely new recipe once a month
If you’re like us, then you have a few staple dishes that tend to rotate each week… and you leave the creativity to the pros. The idea of expanding your personal recipe book is daunting, but why not break it into bite-sized steps?
We suggest challenging yourself to one new dish a month. It can be from the same cookbook, or you can flip to a random page in a new one each month (because if you’re like us, you also have more than one cookbook that needs some love).
Oh, and if you really want to take your dishes up another notch, you should check out SeedSheet – it’s a little herb garden that practically grows itself. There’s no better feeling for a chef than cooking a dazzling meal with ingredients you grew yourself!
2. Forget learning an instrument – just enjoy some new musical genres!
Many of us have a pristine, practically untouched instrument staring at us from the corner of the living room. We all want to be musicians… but the time, effort and dedication simply doesn’t fit our schedules.
Well, here’s a new take on a classic resolution: Discover a new musical genre.
Maybe you’ve always told yourself that you don’t like country music – but have you really given it an honest try?
Or perhaps your friends or children are into rap, and you’re curious about it… but you don’t know where to start. This is your year – just ask!
If you use a music app like Spotify or Pandora, this gets even easier. Just click around a little bit and put on the first song that comes up. Just be sure to listen to a few different artists to get a full feel for the genre. And who knows… maybe you’ll be so inspired that you’ll finally give that “decorative guitar” an honest go!
3. Start a local “passion project”
This is a fun way to get involved in your community while feeling accomplished. If something has been bothering you – or if you’d like to see something happen, or change – then perhaps 2022 is the year you roll up your sleeves and get it done yourself!
Maybe this means organizing a group to clean up trash at a local park that hasn’t received the love it deserves. Or, it could mean putting on an outdoor play during the summer, or starting a free class for something you enjoy (maybe a chance to show off some of those new recipes you’re trying).
If you’re not the planning type but still want to get out there, consider contacting your local community center to see if there’s anything you can pitch in on.
4. Invest in a company you believe in
Yes, you should still donate to charity if you can. However, investing in a business with ethics or products you believe in is also a great way of showing support. After all, your money is like a “vote” for the things you believe should exist in the world.
We’re not necessarily suggesting you become a day trader… but it’s a nice feeling to know you’re participating in something you care about. Plus, it could always pay off!
5. Set up a regular call with loved ones
Here’s one for those families who live at a distance. It’s easy for life to take over, and for families to lose touch over time. The trick is to be proactive and create a regular commitment.
Just be sure you can actually make it – it’s better to have one call per month that you can surely attend than 4 calls that you keep rescheduling.
6. Find a mentor – or a mentee
If you’ve got a skill, share it! If you’re learning a skill, find someone who’s mastered it!
This is a great resolution to combine with others. If you’re working on something new, no matter what it is, you’re missing experience. That’s what a mentor provides… and it’s priceless to a newbie!
And for those of you with a skill to share, remember: you don’t have to be a master to be helpful. Sometimes just a bit of guiding advice is all it takes to set someone on the right path!
7. Plan a monthly nature excursion
It’s easy to ignore the beautiful world around us – these days, our routines rarely take us through lush forests or across arid deserts.
So how about making it a priority? Whether you’re lucky enough to live in an area with easy access to nature or you have to make a drive, planning a hike or a picnic will give you something refreshing to look forward to each month.
These are our resolutions… how about yours? What does 2022 have in store for you? Leave us a comment below!