“Change brings opportunity.” —Nido Qubein
Some needed adjustments to our life habits are painfully obvious: we need to get in shape, we need to stop smoking, or we need to get our finances in order. Those life changes are typically easy to notice and are often promoted in our society.
But there are other, equally valuable life improvements available to us that fly a bit out of the mainstream. For various reasons, you don’t hear much about them. But in many cases, they are just as valuable. In fact, sometimes, they even help us address the underlying assumptions in our lives that are leading us to the poor decisions in the first place.
To that end, consider these 12 Unique Life Resolutions/Habits as possible life habits to incorporate.
1. Intentionally laugh everyday. Laughter releases stress, lowers blood pressure, and exercises muscles. More importantly, it changes our outlook on life and brings us joy and hope. It ought to be practiced everyday. Put it on your To-Do List. And give yourself permission to laugh each day… especially during the hopeless days.
2. Practice solitude. Find time alone in quiet on a regular basis. No books, no music, no outside voices. Just you alone with yourself. Your life will never, ever be the same.
3. Make gratitude a discipline. Thank someone or something each day, every day. Gratitude refocuses our attention away from what we don’t have and redirects it towards what we do. As a result, it naturally causes contentment and generosity to spring up in our lives.
4. Stop speeding. You may need to plan in advance or choose to leave a bit earlier. After all, you will be spending more time en route. But slowing down intentionally allows extra opportunity to be with yourself, be present, and enjoy the journey. Life is not a race. Life is not meant to be lived hurriedly rushing from one event to another. It is meant to be enjoyed and savored. And driving slower will remind you of that fact every time.
5. Fast one day each month. There is a reason nearly every religious tradition incorporates the use of fasting (the practice of not eating food for a specific length of time – usually 24 hours or sunrise to sunset). It teaches us self-control, self-denial, and sacrifice. It trains our mind to weather storms and temptation. And it heightens our senses. As a side note: the purpose for practicing fasting may be for spiritual purposes, but it doesn’t have to be… your mind, body, and soul will benefit regardless.
6. Adopt a “Do it Now” mentality. The opposite of procrastination is to simply “do it now” instead. And seeing as how procrastination results in an unnecessary amount of stress in our lives, “doing it now” is an appropriate life habit for many of us to resolve. Make that a new mindset for your life this year. Repeat the mantra often. And then, just do it now – whatever “it” may be.
7. Eat more vegetables. Eating more vegetables is a better, simpler, and often times more measurable approach to your weight loss goal than simply deciding to eat less. Eating vegetables at each meal (or as snacks in-between them) naturally reduces the amount of unhealthy food that we put into our bodies. Additionally, it gives us more energy, more self-esteem, and more opportunity to fight off illness and disease.
8. Read classical books from different centuries. Books that have lasted centuries tend to do so for a very good reason: they contain wisdom. They speak to timeless human truths that bind us together. Though our culture and world look entirely different today than they did 200 years ago, the human spirit is still the same. Life still includes sorrow, joy, hope, and trial. And we would benefit greatly from rediscovering how men and women approached life hundreds of years ago.
9. Remove pornography. Pornography limits our capacity to appreciate the real world and the people within it. It clouds our mind with unrealistic and unhealthy assumptions about sexuality and our relationships with others. Because of that, it never fully satisfies its consumer, but always leaves them desiring more. Sacrifice the temporal pleasure of pornography for a life that can better appreciate the simply joys of the people and relationships around you right now.
10. Go to bed earlier. Changing just the first hour of your day changes the remaining 23. And the best way to change the first hour of your day is to get a good night’s sleep. So make a practice this year to move your bedtime up. You may just be surprised at how that small change will naturally benefit other areas of your life.
11. Give to a charity. Pick a cause that you believe in strongly: poverty, education, orphan care, animals, or the environment (just to name a few). And then, write a check. You’ll be glad you did. They’ll be glad you did. The cause they serve will be glad you did. And if you can spread that much joy by filling out a check, just imagine the joy you’ll spread if you volunteer your time and talents.
12. Date your spouse. Take your spouse/partner on a date at least once per month. You’ll have fun. You’ll reconnect. Your union will be stronger because of it. And if you think it’ll cost a bunch of money, you’re just not being creative enough.
Make no mistake. While I have intentionally tried to develop each of these habits in my life at some point in the past, I don’t intentionally practice each of them today (some still come more naturally than others). And my desire is not that these resolutions would be considered a 12-step secret to solving life.
Instead, my desire is that we would simply consider implementing one of them today… and find a better life because of it.
On top of slowing down (#4), another way to greatly enjoy the trip is to consciously avoid noticing the mileage markers and signs revealing the distance to your destination. I learned this while driving a charter bus. Constantly being made aware of the time left before arriving caused me to look at that as the high point when, in reality, the trip itself was.
Pornography? really?, didnt think needed to be addressed, but perhaps because this was written from the male perspective ? thoughts anyone?
It does seem an odd addition, on its face. However, at last check some 3 or 4 years ago, the pornography traffic on the Internet accounted for approx 40% of total bandwidth. That is simply a huge number, given all the other uses of the Net. It means there is a problem of major proportion, which contributes not only to unrealistic notions about sex and relationships, but to heavy desensitization about, and objectification of, women (pornography being very slanted in favor of male gratification). I say this as a man (and not a prudish one). If the primary goal of the author was to address men in this suggestion, so be it.
Yes! You’re right on the money. I’m so glad he touched upon porn as it’s a huge problem & because of this strange status quo of it it’s causing people to subscribe to the idea its not harmful and not an issue where infact it’s a major one for people with this drug at their finger tips whenever they want. It’s a drug that needs to be spoken about whenever possible to bring about awareness of the extent it’s damaging peoples ability to live an intentional life & one where noone is hurt in the making of it.
Pornography is issue for both men and women. I recently discovered how much of an issue within my own relationship. Being absolutely disgusted Ibreached out to many only to discover how many partake In porn. Continued research also shows that 50% of online searches relates to porn.
Oh Lird I am ? speechless
I like the idea of fasting. Is it just me? I find it strange, since we are so grateful, that we feast at Thanksgiving instead of fast?
My husband and I do the 5:2. 5 days of normal eating and 2 days of calorie restrictions (500/600)
We feel fantastic and only really struggled with the fasting days for a couple of weeks. It’s a great way to lose a few kilos.
What a shame…many people dont have a partner or spouse…leaving us out feels like we are not normal…we havent quite made it….you cant assume everyone has a partner or wants one….your ideas are great..hope to follow some of them
Thanks for the feedback Marion. Just because I encourage people who are married to date their spouse doesn’t mean people who aren’t married aren’t normal.
I would love to not have a to in our house. Unfortunately that would not go down week with Hubble. My resolution this year for our family is one night a week tv and devices are off for all – it’s a start! And hopefully once the family rediscover their love of connecting it will grow to more days.
I love this post and will implement down of these too in 2017.
Thank you so much for this article. Wise words indeed.
I’d like to add another. …
13. Tech fasting. Set aside 3 days a week that you only use your devices for pressing communication only. Example of your texting to finding out when to pick up your kids or meet someone for lunch. Otherwise have a phone conversation.
I like your #13, Cari. We are a fast growing people of being addicted to our cell phones, iPads and computers. I can hardly see a child anymore without a cell phone or device in front of them to keep them occupied and quiet. Sad. I also remember when having your cell phones out at work was a huge no-no (I know some work places it still is that way), now they are sitting out on desks or kept nearby. I’m going to implement your idea in 2017. Thanks for your idea.
I agree to follow all points, with minor change in #5. Fasting one day a month is fine, but for 12 Hours (from 6am to 6pm)!
I find myself becoming a more spiritual person and a healthier person as I continue my steps in a minimalist lifestyle. Simple guidelines reflect in religion and Minimalism.
I recommend adding eliminating nudity in advertising as well as scantily clothed people (it is usually women). I have made it a practice to not support in any way companies that promote these behaviors. This has included Victoria Secret for many years. I recently added Stuart Weitzman due to a billboard in NYC with two totally naked women who only wore shoes. We need to stand up for decency and the appropriate representation of women and girls. This can also apply to men and boys. And if this perspective is prudish, so be it.
Patti-YES!!!
Could you share what companies you do support? Thanks!
Absolutely agree with this. Female classical musicians are often depicted on CD covers in strapless gowns, or hugging their musical instruments in sexual ways, while male musicians are fully dressed in formal wear. It’s no different from selling cars by draping scantilly dressed women over them. Thanks for drawing attention to this.
You always inspire me????