Lose 10 lbs, stop overspending at Starbucks and find nice, sensible boyfriend to go out with (For all of my fellow Bridget Jones fans, I see you).

New. Years. Resolutions. Some may consider them daunting, inspiring, or they might not consider them at all.

When I think of all of the #newyearnewme posts, I actually get a little kick out of them. Sometimes I even think, “oh right, I have to ‘reinvent’ myself by Jan. 31st, I should probably get started…tomorrow.

In all realness, I love making New Year’s Resolutions. Let me be clear, I don’t think you need to lose 10 lbs and I also don’t think you have to wait to implement things to improve your life until Jan. 1st.

The thing is, I typically only make 1-2 resolutions – not 10. And I try to keep them as realistic as possible. In my professional career, we talk a lot about S.M.A.R.T goals. The acronym for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Most New Year’s Resolutions are none of the above.

I’m definitely guilty of it, but I recommend that you don’t shop around for what resolutions to make. Your resolution, if you decide to make one at all should come from you, not someone else’s idea of improvement on instagram.

If I sit with myself and figure out what I want to improve about my life and the most realistic way of doing so — I’m better at keeping those promises to myself.

P.s. If the self-help book “Atomic Habits” by James Clear isn’t on your 2023 TBR list, I implore you to make it happen.

So, what’s the key to transforming our resolutions into habits? No idea. I’m not the gal who does everything she’s tells herself she’s gonna do. Some of my resolutions in the past have actually been physically impossible.

If I can keep it real with myself, a.k.a not say I’m gonna run that marathon when I don’t even run, I might just stick to the habit of daily exercise instead. That’s what’s “S.M.A.R.T.” for me, so do what’s “S.M.A.R.T.” for you!

I have a great feeling about this year y’all. Here’s to 2023!

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Thank you so much for checking out the blog and for being a Gallivanter too! See ya soon.

-Allison