January 1st is not the right time to implement good resolutions

There are resolutions which don’t involve losing weight, eating more healthily, cutting back on alcohol or studying! Any resolution to get fitter is more easily implemented now because many gyms will be advertising special offers.

Totally with you M0nica. A lifetime in education means that, for me, the year starts in September.

The secret with resolutions is not to be too ambitious, it doesn’t matter when you start them, you just need to be in the right mindset, and to make resolutions you know are achievable. In January I’m quite disciplined because I’m at home more, the weather is dire, and it focuses my attention because I’m there looking at things. In September, it’s holiday and garden time for me so there’s less chance of me sticking to anything - other than courses as they often start then. It’s horses for courses though, my sister always starts in April because she has a spring surge of energy.

Lots of people seem to be out walking today, which is really good thing to do as it has such a positive impact if your mental health (if you are able to, of course)

Back in mid October I made a resolution that once the clocks changed, I’d go through every single drawer and cupboard in the house, one a day, and get rid of loads of stuff.

So far I’ve done 2 small drawers!

I make a different resolution each month. January's is to clear cupboards and drink more water. I review it at the end of the month before I decide what the next one will be.

Well, it’s just January resolutions as it’s a new year to come and a blank slate sort of thing.
You don’t have to make any, I never do.If you have wanted to change your job, move house, learn to say no, get more fit, be more sociable than what better time to start?

Grandmabatty

I make a different resolution each month. January's is to clear cupboards and drink more water. I review it at the end of the month before I decide what the next one will be.

Good idea Grandmabatty.

I don’t make resolutions, I have intentions. They can, and often have to, change on a daily basis depending on my state of health. One that never varies is my gratitude journal. Started several years ago after a challenge from one of my nieces, she invited the whole family to list 3 things they were grateful for on that day. I think it was originally a Facebook meme. I update my journal each night at bedtime with 3 things I have been grateful for that day. It finishes my day on a positive note and I enjoy looking back at it from time to time.

Too many people set themselves up to fail by setting impossible targets. Some of us are just grateful to get through the day

Too many people set themselves up to fail by setting impossible targets

January's is to eat up all the cake and chocolate.
I might not manage the chocolate.

I don’t make ny resolutions. I do dry Jan as we normally have a winter holiday booked and need to lose a few pounds.

Grandmabatty

I make a different resolution each month. January's is to clear cupboards and drink more water. I review it at the end of the month before I decide what the next one will be.

Oh that's such a good idea - Monthly goals 👍.
I've just decided 'Monthly Goals' will launch my 2024 - thanks 🙏

Grandmabatty

I make a different resolution each month. January's is to clear cupboards and drink more water. I review it at the end of the month before I decide what the next one will be.

Loving this Grandmabatty. I'm in

Thanks all. It's doable because I only focus on a month at a time. I never attempt to give up drink or go on a diet. I might do a month without chocolate but it's only a month. When the weather turns milder I'll do walk more as a target. I might have a target of go to the cinema once a week. The choice is personal.

I've always thought that January is a bad time to start a diet as it's usually cold and wet so we need the calories.
Far better to diet in spring or summer.
Or is this just my excuse?

Callistemon21

^Too many people set themselves up to fail by setting impossible targets^

January's is to eat up all the cake and chocolate.
I might not manage the chocolate.

I can help you with that.

henetha

I've always thought that January is a bad time to start a diet as it's usually cold and wet so we need the calories.
Far better to diet in spring or summer.
Or is this just my excuse?

I think this is the most sensible suggestion so far. If it’s an excuse I’m all for it.

Monthly goals. What a brilliant idea. Very doable. Quite exciting and not daunting to plan a goal each month.

I think the drawer a day will be mine for January. That's a cosy job on a cold rainy day.

Love your name, Lovetopaint037. Ok, we'll start a diet in
June then.... So meanwhile I can eat all the cake etc left over.

Agreed- we should make 'good resolutions' on the first day of Spring. When the sap is rising, the sun is back, the days getting longer, and we spend more time outdoors, watching nature spring to life. That is 'my' time to make positive plans.

Grandmabatty

Thanks all. It's doable because I only focus on a month at a time. I never attempt to give up drink or go on a diet. I might do a month without chocolate but it's only a month. When the weather turns milder I'll do walk more as a target. I might have a target of go to the cinema once a week. The choice is personal.

Grandmabatty That's such a simple but effective method, with much greater chance of success. I love that you can tailor it to the prevailing circumstances of any given month, whether that be climate, finances, or just "need to do". I'll certainly be giving it a go, thank you for the idea.

Blossoming

Callistemon21

Too many people set themselves up to fail by setting impossible targets

January's is to eat up all the cake and chocolate.
I might not manage the chocolate.

I can help you with that.

😁 thank you

The first day of spring, as Fleurpepper suggests, sounds like a good idea.
Although that coincides with Easter!

henetha

I've always thought that January is a bad time to start a diet as it's usually cold and wet so we need the calories.
Far better to diet in spring or summer.
Or is this just my excuse?

That is the most sensible thing I have read about new year resolutions. I totally agree. We need to build our winter coats to keep warm and start and shed them in the spring. Thank you.

I tend to have goals rather than resolutions, so specific ones such as things to get done around the house, or more general ones such as setting aside time every day to do something I might not otherwise get round to doing.

I think the January impetus is just because it’s a new year, so anything that is done before Christmas is a 2024 thing, plus life tends to be cyclical, with key dates at various times of year. Also, promising myself that I will do X every day is likely to fail if I start in December, as there is too much going on. January for me is a bit of a ‘shoulders down’ time - Christmas is over, and my work deadlines don’t start again until May.

My daughter is very fond of lists, with daily, weekly and monthly lists, depending on priorities. If something isn’t completed it moves to the next level, so a weekly item that is not done by Sunday night becomes a daily one on Monday. It works for her, but she has more calls on her time than I do, and I think I would feel constrained by the constant deadlines.

I’m not one for diet or exercise goals, but I like the idea of a virtue a month . That doesn’t sound as though it has ‘Doomed To Fail’ stamped through it, so I might give that a go. Chocolate-denial will have to wait a while though - there are too many treats lying about for that to work just now.