New Year’s 2021 can’t come quick enough for many of us while we reevaluate our choices over the last year living during a time that will never be forgotten. If you managed to survive 2020, a renewed focus on the brighter days ahead is the perfect opportunity to set your eyes and heart on some New Year’s resolutions!
Here are the Top 5 New Year’s Resolutions heading into 2021.
#5 – Lose Weight I Gained / Exercise More
We start with one of the most common New Year’s resolutions, especially amongst Americans. The realities of COVID-19 lockdowns across the world resulted in physical activity levels decreasing and stuffing food into our faces increasing! Not to mention the elevated stress levels for parents and children from being isolated from friends and family for a good part of the year.
Nonetheless, it appears it’s time to get fit and healthy and exercise more than we did in 2020.
#4 – Watch less TV
One thing is for certain, most of us have all watched more TV in the last year than we would like to admit. Viewing habits during lockdown have surged; streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO have seen record numbers of new subscribers. Internet Service providers are reporting bandwidth usage through the roof, averaging an additional 8 hours of streaming per day for the typical household.
With the economy in recovery and lockdown measures beginning to ease, it’s time for all of us to set down the remote and close the distance between friends and family.
#3 – Social Undistancing
Social isolation wasn’t a new thing during the pandemic, but the lockdown measures certainly exacerbated these issues. The greatest impact felt was within the senior community and those who were deemed essential and continued to work on the front lines. The feeling of being able to meet new people and experience different cultures is a feeling that is missed by many. Social distancing was a reminder for many of us that we inherently desire social connection, even though sometimes we would hate to admit it.
So once the curve settles and you are feeling ready, do yourself a favor and practice some social undistancing. Meet new people, reconnect with friends and family, and close the divide that has been created in 2020.
#2 – Get out of debt
The pandemic has impacted our lives in one way or another but the financial impact has disproportionately affected small business owners who have had to deal with a wave of uncertainty while the lockdown drags on. Over 100,000 small businesses have closed their doors permanently, most lacking guidance or assistance from local governments. Unfortunately, there is no quick fix to this problem, a great burden for many will be carried into 2021 as debt has piled up this year.
While it has certainly been a tough year, the economy appears to have some upside in 2021 with multiple vaccines approved for use in countries around the world and the inevitable return of consumer travel and spending. An economic recovery is on deck for those who can survive well into 2021.
#1 – Learn to be happier
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken loved ones, closed schools, bankrupted businesses, and affected our children in ways we may not understand for many years. In this tragedy we are offered valuable lessons providing opportunities that otherwise would have never been possible.
Some of us started working from home, social commitments were abruptly cancelled, and much of our free time spent in our homes with family. 40 hour work weeks no longer looked or felt the same, parents spent more time with kids, and couples with each other. Deeper bonds were formed in households and we were gifted an opportunity to reevaluate priorities just by slowing down life a bit. The change of pace providing a moment to learn a new skill, to be more self aware, and find intrinsic motivation in a time where having an existential crisis seemed to be the “new normal.”
The simple pleasures of life are on full display. Find joy in the small things and experience happiness.
Happy New Year!
