New Year’s Resolutions

It’s that time of the year again, when we start thinking about New Year’s resolutions, and then excuse ourselves overindulgence over Christmas, as we will take control in January.
The New Year is seen as a time for regeneration, where we can have a fresh beginning. However making and sticking to resolutions, is not always so easy. This article will look at ways to help you pick and achieve your resolutions.

Tips for choosing resolutions


Start thinking about them now
Don’t wait till New Year to decide on your resolutions. Spur of the moment decisions are less likely to be successful. By taking time to think about what resolutions you want to make, you can explore whether they are right for you, and prepare yourself psychologically.

Choose realistic goals
Try to avoid absolute resolutions, such as ‘I will never do X again’
If you love chocolate, deciding to give chocolate up may not be realistic for you.
Think about whether you can achieve the resolutions. Habits built up over a long time, are not going to be easy to break.
Think about whether you have enough commitment to make that change.
You may want to break your resolutions down into smaller manageable steps. This could be particularly useful if you are making big changes, like wanting to lose weight, get fit, or change your eating habits.

Don't make too many resolutions at one time
By making lots of resolutions and by giving yourself too much too do, you could be setting yourself up for failure.



Tips for keeping them
One of the main reasons people abandon resolutions is they become discouraged when they don’t get quick enough results, or they don’t feel happier for making the changes.
It takes around 21 days for new activities to become a habit, and 6 months for them to become part of your lifestyle.

Persistence is the key.

Ways to keep on track

· Don’t keep your resolutions to yourself, tell a friend.

· Break them down in smaller steps you can manage

· Keep track of your progress

· Remind yourself of your resolutions throughout the year; writing it down and sticking it in your room may help.

· Make a list of the pro’s and con’s of your resolutions.

· Don’t be afraid to ask for help. With giving up smoking, for example, look at wwwgivingupsmoking.co.uk or ask at your doctors about support available there.

Don’t be too hard on yourself
Take credit for your success; don’t look at setbacks as a failure. Instead you could explore the barriers that were in your way, and see how you can do differently next time.
Resolutions are about changing behaviour, and this can be done anytime, not just New Year.



Top 20 resolutions
· I will give up smoking
· I will lose some weight
· I will eat fruit and vegetables every day
· I will be more careful with my money
· I will get out to the countryside (once a week)
· I will cut down on drinking alcohol
· I will smile more
· I will take up a new sport/exercise
· I will drink water every day
· I will cut down on junk food
· I will spend more quality time with my family and friends
· I will do some voluntary work
· I will take up a new hobby
· I will have a pampering day for myself once a month
· I will allow myself time to rest and do nothing
· I will learn something new
· I will walk more instead of taking the car all the time
· I will have a non television day once a week
· I will be more gentle on myself
· I will challenge negative thoughts, and try to be more positive.

Hierarchy of Charity Shops
After a comment from Rachel, on my last blog, I am totally in agreement with her, about the cost of books going up in some charity shops. For a while now I’ve noticed book only charity shops, which does allow for them to charge quite a bit more.

There is also I feel a difference between individual charity shops. Recently in a local town, one of the charity shops underwent a big refurbishment. It is now spacious, and well organised, leaving less opportunity for a good old rummage, and the price of the books seemed to double.

While looking for books in charity shops today, there was quite a marked difference in the prices according to which shop you were in. In the refurbished shop, I found a few books I was interested in, however I was reluctant to pay the price they asked. I found ‘Zen and the art of Motorcycle Maintenance’ for £4.00, and Alice Walker’s ‘The Temple of my Familiar’, in hardback for £4.50. I didn’t buy them this time.

By charity shops charging these sorts of prices, they are competing with the sale of new books in supermarkets. I feel people are less likely to pick books up from charity shops, when they can pick up a new book for £3odd, when they’re doing their food shopping.

In contrast, I went to a local animal hospital charity shop, which was just like walking into an Aladdin’s cave. The books were no more than a £1 for paperbacks, and maybe a bit more for hardbacks. They had shoes, including some very new looking walking boots, unfortunately a size too small, for £2.

Bargains can be found in charity shops, depending where you go, the prices can vary greatly from one to the next, and it’s worth checking them all out.

Happy shopping folks.