Resolve to Simplify in 2012
It’s that perfect, magical time of year when we all decide to set lofty resolutions and make great strides to achieve our goals. All well and good, but how many of us actually make any changes past January 10th? Maybe our aim is too high, or maybe we try too hard to perfect our imperfect-able selves by attacking too many things all at once. This year, I’m taking the opposite tack. I’m resolving to simplify my life by choosing one or two of the following items to work on – and you can too!
1. Simplify your food ingredients. Looking at the ingredients of everything you buy can tell you a lot about your diet and your health. Resolve to stick to foods with a few ingredients as possible (and make sure they are things you can actually pronounce!) Take a little more time to shop for groceries, cook fresh produce and eat out less.
2. Simplify your finances. Instead of focusing on acquisitions this year, try choosing a debt to reduce or eliminate. One less payment in your life is a step in the right direction. Review your monthly expenditures and find something you don’t need or use to cut out of your budget. Defer adding to your wardrobe and explore second-hand shops. Make fewer trips to the mall, carpool more and reuse and recycle everything you can.
3. Simplify your living area. Create serene and clean living surroundings. Focus on the items you no longer need and give away or recycle them. Empty half your clothes closet (a good rule of thumb is anything you haven’t worn in the past 2 years) and have a yard sale in the spring!
4. Simplify your health. Partner with your doctor to focus on prevention of one reversible illness you might have (pain, high cholesterol, obesity, depression, or smoking, for example). Create an exercise regimen that you can accomplish daily, with ease that strengthens your body.
5. Simplify your time commitments. Learn to say “No” to anything that is not a resounding “Yes!” Volunteer only for the causes you are passionate about. Simplify your social calendar in order to increase the time you can devote to exercise or a favorite hobby.
I wish you a simple New Year, full of health, peace and serenity.
(Excerpted from an article by Dr. Kay Judge and Dr. Maxine Barish-Wreden published in the Dember Post.)