7 New Years Resolutions You Can Still Begin For 2013 (linked up with 7 Quick Takes)

Written by Kendra

Hope you all are having a lovely Friday and a great start to the new year! Just for fun, we’d love to share our ideas for new years resolutions to promote joy, positive self-image, and confidence!

(1)

Start a Gratitude/Joy Journal

Buy a cute journal or just start a document on your computer. Write a few sentences each day about what you are thankful for, or about some happy memories of the day. I’m doing this, and I think it will be really fun to read through and actually remember what happened in 2013!

(2)

Commit to regular prayer for women in need

It is often too easy to forget the plight of so many of our fellow women in the world. There are the unemployed, single women in despair about vocation, and those in abusive relationships. There are women in crisis pregnancies or post-abortive. There are women who are not at peace with their bodies who have fallen in the vicious cycle of an eating disorder. Many women live in homes or communities where they are treated as inferior to men or other women. The point is, there are many many women in need of prayer, and you can choose to commit just a few minutes a day to praying for them.

(3)

Take more pictures, and include yourself in them

For whatever reason, in most households, the woman of the house tends to be taking most of the pictures, so she is left out of them often. I’ve also heard many women say things like “I’m too tired/fat/disheveled/underdressed or without make up to be in this picture.” Stop. Sure, make steps to be your best self everyday, but when it comes time for pictures, don’t be afraid or forget to be in it. You’re part of the experience too, and all you truly need to look nice in everyday pictures is to put on your smile

(4)

Resolve to stop the negative body comments about yourself

Going off of the previous point a bit, 2013 is the perfect time to watch how often you speak about yourself negatively. If your siblings, roommate, friends, spouse, children, or parents constantly hear you putting yourself down, how does that affect their opinions of you, or how they speak about themselves? Saying it to yourself also distracts you from all of your positive qualities and starts the day off on the wrong note. Does anybody have advice for somebody stuck in this rut, such as a daily routine to be positive?

(5)

Read an inspiring book

There are TONS of great books that inspire me as a woman, and in my faith. I loved reading Style, Sex, and Substance for a collection of stories from real Catholic women about everyday life. I’m about to start reading My Sisters the Saints. I’m also promising myself to learn more about the saints this year. What have you read lately that inspired you?

(6)

Look in your closet and give away what you don’t need

We’ll actually be writing about this at the end of the month! At some point, I always look in my closet and wonder how I acquired so much stuff. I see things I haven’t worn in over a year, and now that I’ve had a baby, some clothes don’t work any more for a variety of reasons. I have a detailed plan on how I plan to cleanse my closet for the coming year. Perhaps there are clothes you could give to a friend? Could you plan a clothing swap or lend your clothes out? Does your church have a “clothing closet” for members in need (Mine does!) where you can donate? Consider downsizing your wardrobe, and be picky about what items you add to it this year.

(7)

Tell (and show) your friends and family they are awesome and worthy of God’s love

This is a great and attainable goal! I’ve thought a lot lately about how my day can be completely made by a message from a friend, telling me something kind or reassuring me that I’m doing something right. Perhaps you could get in the habit of complimenting your family members more throughout the day? Maybe send an encouraging message online to a frazzled mama, or a stressed out college student? Make a point to smile when you see your neighbors outside! Maybe a few times this year, you could send letters in the mail to the friends you cherish but never get to see! More and more of us are living isolated from friends and family, and we could use the love to get us through each day.

Did you make resolutions like any of these? 

Thank you Hallie for hosting this linkup this week, and many prayers to the usual linkup hostess, Jen, as she is fighting blood clots in her lungs. St. Michael the Archangel, pray for her!