10 Realistic Goals To Set For Yourself This Year
Realistic goals can be hard to come up with. We all have those new year’s resolutions that we write down, but how many of us actually do them? Setting outrageous goals for yourself can make it difficult for you to actually get started on them. Save yourself the time and effort of creating a list by checking out our 10 realistic goals that are both doable and beneficial.
1. Start Saving Money
First and foremost – don’t break the bank! Start saving your money in a feasible way that works for you. If you don’t already have one, try opening up a savings account with your bank. If you’ve got the means, you can store a good amount of your income in your savings account for emergencies or future endeavors. On the other hand, if you’ve got a smaller pool to work with, start by saving as little as $10 every other week. You’ll find that this will add up pretty quickly, and you’ll be thanking yourself in the future. Pinterest has a variety of different money-saving challenges you can participate in, so try researching to see if there’s a good fit for you!
2. Balanced Diet
Throughout our everyday lives, we aren’t always consciously thinking about whether the meal in front of us is completely balanced. So – what does a balanced meal look like? Generally speaking, two quarters of your plate should be filled with proteins and whole grains, while half of your plate should be filled with vegetables and fruits. This is a topic you can research online to really get a good grasp for which foods qualify for the different categories. However, if you stick to eating balanced meals as often as you can, you’ll find that your overall health and energy has greatly improved!
3. Exercise At Least Once A Week
Participating in some form of exercise at least once a week is much more realistic than trying to do it every single day. Pick a day where you aren’t particularly busy, and dedicate a good chunk of that day to getting your heart rate up! You don’t have to go to the gym to do this. There are various workouts you can simply do in the comfort of your own home, such as squats, lunges, and burpees. A popular ab workout that has taken the internet by storm is Alexis Ren’s ab workout. Going on a run is another great and simple way to let your energy loose and get your blood pumping.
4. Use A Planner
To keep track of all your plans and projects, try to make it a goal to use a planner as often as you can! When something comes up, writing it down can help you to remember it. Try to put your assignments, projects, due dates, social plans, etc. all in this one planner so that you have a constant source of reference to come back to when you aren’t sure what’s going on for the day. Rather than making a mental note, keeping track of these things will help you out in the long-run.
5. Maintain Your Hair
When it comes to hair, it’s easy to get lazy and allow it to do whatever it wants. Instead, try to make it a goal to consistently maintain your hair! When you see your ends starting to split, be sure to get it trimmed. Experiment with different products and figure out which ones work best for you, then try to include those products in your everyday hair routine. Our hair is a huge part of our appearance, so working to make sure your hair is looking its best everyday will help to boost your self-confidence!
6. Cut Down On Alcohol
If you’re someone who enjoys socially drinking, cutting alcohol out altogether may not be realistic for you. Instead, simply try your best to just cut down as much as you can. Limit your alcohol intake to once or twice per week if you’re someone who enjoys drinking wine or beer every evening. As enjoyable as drinking can be, drinking can also result in numerous health issues when done in excess. You’ll find that your mind and body are both detoxified if you start to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
7. 30 Minutes Without Electronics
Every morning after you wake up, try spending at least 30 minutes without electronics. Every night before going to sleep, try spending 30 minutes without electronics as well. Starting and ending your day without having a screen in front of you will be super beneficial for your mental health. Clear your head and try replacing that screen time with meditation or journaling. 30 minutes might be difficult to work up to, so try to make this a gradual habit. Start out with 5 minutes, then bump it up to 10, and so forth. You’ll find that you’re able to gather your thoughts and calm your nerves much more efficiently by having the willpower to stay away from your phone for a while.
8. Go Somewhere New
Going somewhere new doesn’t necessarily mean traveling to another country (although, if you’re able to do this, go for it!). Going to a new place can be as simple as traveling to a city in your state that you’ve never seen before. Traveling to an entirely different state can also be an interesting experience. Try to expand your mind as well as your perspective by taking in new sights, cultures, and people! You’re bound to meet some fun new friends and experience amazing memories by just putting yourself out there and getting out of your comfort zone.
9. Perfect A Recipe
If you’re someone who doesn’t cook a lot, but you’ve been wanting to get into it, find a recipe you really love and try to perfect it! This could take some experimentation, so make sure you’re patient with yourself. Think about a food you really enjoy, and try to make it yourself. Getting a recipe down will guarantee that you always have a comfort food you can make when you’re not sure what to whip up in the kitchen. This can also inspire you to expand and try to make other new recipes, but for the sake of starting out small, try to get that one special recipe down before you go all out!
10. Make Social Plans Once A Week
Getting caught up in the stressors of everyday life can make you stray away from friends and family. Try to opt for making social plans at least once a week! If once a week is unrealistic for you and your friends, try to do it at least once every other week. Having that source of connection and friendship will help to relieve your anxiety and allow you to let loose. This is also a great way to make sure that you’re staying in contact with all the important people in your life – life isn’t all about working, but rather the connections we make and maintain.
Which realistic goals will you be setting for yourself this year? Drop a comment with some of your personal goals!
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