Well, first of all, did you know that  people who make New Year’s resolutions tend to be less happy than those who don’t? I guess that makes sense since most resolutions concern making our lives better. Those who are less happy with the way their lives currently are likely feel there is more room for improvement.

I asked my readers and my social media connections to give me their New Year’s resolutions, promising anonymity. Hmm…..I suppose I should be happy that I got very few responses: I must have a very happy, self-satisfied group of friends and readers!

But I did get a few:

1. Not to feel critical of the writer who makes an error or to think less of him or her, but just to be grateful I am still able to catch the error! (No, that is not my resolution!!)
2. Give up swearing. (No, that isn’t mine either!)
3. Resolving that next year I will make a resolution — and I always do! ( Not mine, I swear!)
4.  Not taking everything to heart and thinking everything is a slight. Life is too short (Okay, that’s mine!)
5. Not saying anything at all if I have nothing nice to say. (Mine, but very tough!)

According to Statista, these were the most common resolutions for 2018:

1. Eat healthier.
2. Get more exercise.
3. Save more money.
4. Take care of oneself better, e.g., get more sleep.
5. Read more.
6. Make new friends.
7. Learn a new skill.
8. Get a new job.
9. Take up a new hobby.
10. I am not making any New Year’s resolutions. (32% of us)

45% of us usually make resolutions (almost half of us are unhappy??)

38% of us never do.

17% infrequently do.

So how is the success rate? Well, 75% of resolutions make it through the first week, 71% make it through two weeks, 64% make it past a month, and 46% make it through six months. That is higher than I would expect!

Here are some tips on how to make your resolutions more successful: (These ideas generally make anything you plan to do more successful.)

1. Be specific: Instead of saying “get in shape, ” say “exercise three times a week.”
2. Write the resolutions down.
3. Make a timetable. Establish small goals along the way. 
4. Don’t give up. If you eat the whole chocolate cake, don’t give up. Just don’t figure you might as well eat one every day now! (I tend to think like that.)
5. Get support from friends and family —  or whomever you trust has your best interest in mind.

If you are focusing on good health, here are some suggested resolutions  that are easy to accomplish from Good Housekeeping.

1. Add more citrus to your grocery cart.
2. Eat lots of veggies.
3. Book all your doctor visits for the year. What are you due for?
4. Confide your resolutions to one friend only.
5. Become a plant owner. Plants are calming. 
6. Forget multitasking. Do one thing at a time. (Yeah, sure.)
7. Scent your environment. Peppermint gives you energy. Lavender reduces stress.
8. Climb the stairs.
9. Decorate with memorabilia, for example, old family pictures.
10. Sanitize your phone weekly. (good one!)
11. Plan a vacation. At least two a year is healthiest.
12. Practice yoga.
13. Listen to novels while you work out.
14. Volunteer.
15. Delegate more chores.
16. Keep clutter out of the kitchen.
17. Wear workout gear that makes you feel good.
18. Explore new hobbies.
19. Listen to upbeat music.
20. Be sure to take a lunch break.
21. Donate old clothes. Don’t keep those size 4 jeans until you can get into them again!
22. Switch up your exercise routine.
23. Give yourself more compliments.
24. Spend less time glued to your phone.
25. Learn a new skill.
26. Keep up-to-date with current events. (Well, maybe not.)
27. Meditate every day.
28. Go to bed on time.
29. Get some new workout shoes.
30. Write to yourself. And be kind when you do.

Happy New Year from The Grammar Diva!!!