Unfortunately, these great New Year’s resolutions often fall by the wayside after a couple of weeks. So how about this year we all agree to the simple promise to actually stick to them! To help you out we’ve put together a few helpful suggestions for simple things to change and how to make those changes last.
- Starting something new
So it’s the beginning of the year and so logically it’s the best time for a new start. Whether it’s health and fitness, getting into a new hobby or learning a language, as the old Irish saying goes: Tosnú maith leath na hoibre (A good start is half the battle). So if one is being serious, the first thing to make is a good plan of how it’s going to happen. If you want to take up running for example you could look up local clubs or maybe set yourself a target of one of the many running events coming up over the year.
For those who just want to do something a bit different with their time, be it origami or line dancing you can find a whole range of interesting groups and activities here and here. A new activity in your life can be a fantastic way to do something fun while meeting others with similar interests.
Learning a language is one of the best ways to broaden your horizons and do something which can be both life-changing and, at the very least, an achievement for which you can be very proud. This man from Cavan learned to speak 11 languages without too much effort and by taking a simple approach anyone can learn effective Spanish or Italian, or any other language, in preparation for their next holiday or to impress a foreign client. You can find useful links on learning the major European languages here or you can start yourself on simple and effective sites like Rocket Languages or Duolingo.
- Giving something up
Of course, a mission for change for the New Year can just as easily encompass giving something up as taking something up. There are often things in our life which always prick us with a pang of regret when we consider them in the cold light of day.
Sugar for example is something that pretty much everyone over-indulges on, a lot of the time without knowing it (hello tasty ketchup!) but often we’re quite well aware but find the allure of a sweet treat impossible to resist! Getting information or even a solid plan as to how to cut it out of our lives sounds like quite a task however. A great site set up by a woman determined to remove sugar from her own life which has morphed into a global phenomenon is I Quit Sugar and can help hugely with both the determination and planning aspect of making a healthy reduction in your sugar intake.
Probably the healthiest “giving up” that can be done this New Year however is for those of us who partake of the ash! It’s drilled into us from all angles and the yearly price hikes mean cigarettes are not only bad for you but also your wallet. There are great resources out there though to help kick smoking. Sites like quit.ie and at the Irish Cancer Society are specifically geared towards providing help and motivation for those taking on the Big Quit this year. It will be a difficult journey but most definitely worth it!
Of course with all of the changes going on for you in the New Year it’s important to take some time out and treat yourself in a healthy and interesting way. What better than a short trip up to Dublin for the theatre, a show or exhibition. Sticking to plans is always going to be easier if you can get a clear benefit out of it, and having something fun planned away from home is a great “carrot” of motivation! To help out we’re offering great discounts when you book online at Your Home From Home meaning you can have a great luxury apartment in the city at a fraction of the price of a hotel. So now you’ll have no excuse!