I’ve heard some people say they don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions because no one ever keeps them. I say, make them anyway!

First of all, if we only attempted to do the things we knew we would succeed at, we wouldn’t accomplish a whole lot. After all, failing is one of the best motivators, isn’t it? Not accomplishing your goals on the first try may mean your goals are really big, and consequently really worth it! As my husband Matt loves to say, “If it were easy, everyone would be doing it.”

When I first started ‘Keeping the Light House’ I knew there was a chance that no one would read it. I knew that I could potentially put myself out there and have to realize that writing isn’t really my thing. I knew I could potentially be crushed, defeated… a failure. But I did it anyway.

Second, there is always room for improvement in some area of your life. And if it takes a seemingly cliche ritual to help you achieve your goals, so be it.

Some New Year’s resolution ideas and tips for maintaining them:

1. Getting into shape. Speaking of cliche… this is the most popular New Year’s resolution year after year. The key to turning this one into a lifestyle is to start small. For instance, if you’re new to exercising, don’t jump right into an intense workout routine on January 1st. Instead, try walking a few times a week. People often underestimate the benefits of walking, but I think it’s a great starting point if you’re new to exercising. More than likely, over time you’ll be jogging, picking up some resistant bands or free-weights, and maybe even scheduling a few sessions with a trainer. Before you know it, you’ll be a regular at your local gym, living that healthy lifestyle you’ve always wanted!
2. Cleaning up your “diet”. Most people associate the word ‘diet’ with being hungry. However, the word diet refers to whatever it is that you eat… so don’t let this one scare you. Just like starting an exercise program, changing your diet should be done in steps. Making small realistic changes to your current diet will be helpful to keeping you on path. It’s also important to avoid fad diets that heavily restrict your eating. I highly recommend checking out (and please pardon the name) Trim Healthy Mama. My sister-in-law Jennifer gave me the THM book 4 years ago and I’ve been a fan ever since! Just for the record, when a forty-something year old mother of seven who looks more like a hotty-pa-toddy twenty-something, hands you a book about how she got that way… you read it.
3. Decluttering. I love this one. Cleaning out clutter is one of my favorite forms of therapy! I love (and insist on) a clean house. I’m sure I come off as someone who needs my house to “look good”. However, for me it’s a mental thing; If there are dirty dishes in the sink and laundry all over the floor, I simply cannot concentrate on much else. This resolution can be maintained all year; maybe one day its the hallway closet, the next day it’s the pantry. You can commit to a couple areas of your house/office/email a week until you’re all cleaned out. Then, make this a ritual a couple times a year. And be honest with yourself in the process… think about what you really need to keep around. If you haven’t used it for a few years and don’t plan on passing it down to your children, chuck it or donate it! It’s liberating, I promise.
4. Kicking old habits. Maybe it’s patterns of negative thinking, engaging in unhealthy relationships, or a physical addiction. Perhaps you’re a workaholic and it’s time to let yourself off the hook and find some balance. We’ve all got old/bad habits we can do without. For me it’s wasting time. I can get focused on meaningless activities for hours before realizing how much time I’ve wasted. Each time I wind up feeling guilty about the things I actually needed to get done. Don’t let old destructive behaviors hold you back for yet another year. If an activity doesn’t fulfill you or help you reach your goals, it’s time to let it go.
5. Give back. There are so many ways to give back and get involved in your community. Maybe it’s volunteering at your children’s school, at church, or your local food bank, or making a donation to a local charity (don’t worry, I’m actually not about to ask for a donation to the Light Foundation). Giving back should be about sharing your talents. Some people start prayer chains, knit hats for chemo patients, or read books to children at their local library. Every little bit counts! Maybe this is the year you get involved and find a way to share your talents. You may be surprised by the blessings that come from blessing others!!

Once you’ve decided on a resolution, remember these three things:

• Don’t let fear dictate your chances at success. Back when I decided to start my blog, fear told me that I would likely fail. That exposing myself and my family could result in unwanted criticism. Fear is a bully and has no place in your plan for a great 2017! So practice letting it go… the minute doubt creeps into your thoughts, put your foot down. If you constantly tell yourself you can’t do something, you certainly won’t.
• Don’t compare yourself to others. Never use someone else’s life as a measuring stick to your own. To use my blog as an example again; I actually had to stop looking at blogs that I loved before I launched ‘Keeping the Light House’. Just when I thought I had everything perfectly designed and laid out, I’d see someone else’s blog and decide mine was subpar. It’s important to remember that we have very different sets of circumstances and talents. Instead of wondering if you are doing “it” as well as someone else, try focusing on where you are, where you were, and where you ultimately want to be. You’re own journey is truly all that matters.
• Cut yourself some slack. Forming new habits and kicking old ones is a process. If you fall off whatever wagon you’re on, start again the next day. Show yourself the same grace God shows you whenever you stumble. No one is perfect, but we are all capable of great things when we accept that failing is possible and something we should learn from.

My wish is that you find something to get started on, improve upon, or just let go of in 2017! My guess is that you know exactly what that thing is…

Cheers to the New Year!!