8 Bad Habits To Break in the New Year

It's 2018 and the pressure of keeping up with New Years resolutions is high on your radar. You've probably jotted down all the things you want to accomplish, maybe even some of the same things as last year... lose the 10 pounds, give up drinking on the week days, call family more. But with these changes, we seem to forget that our habits play a crucial role in making these resolutions come to light! Resolutions are not there to make you feel inadequate with your life. They’re there to guide you to fulfill your goals and set intentions. But while most resolutions tend to die out by mid-February, there are ways to keep your new year’s resolutions in check. Here are eight bad habits to break in the New Year, so that you can successfully mark every resolution off your list!

1. Set Monthly Goals.

Most of us assume that writing down a year's worth of goals in one sitting is the most effective way of making our resolutions, yet we often always struggle to finish them out. Instead, be realistic with yourself and narrow them down to monthly goals. If you are trying to lose weight, make a note to work out three times a week rather than cold turkey-diet and exercise until you see the results. Change can be overwhelming, so setting incremental goals rather than a list of annual goals will allow you to focus and dedicate your time wisely to accomplishing each task at hand!

2. Stop Making Excuses!

Half a year has gone by and, like most of us, I find myself justifying not going to the gym because "I'm busy" or "I just don't have the time". This is a common mistake and a habit we often make throughout the year: excuses, excuses, excuses! In the New Year, we need to hold ourselves accountable for the changes we wish to make, rather than blame everything under the sun for why they don't. It's easier said than done, but in order to successfully accomplish your goals for the year, you are the only one to make them happen. Spice up your routines to make these changes more fun, and don't allow yourself to talk you out of what will help you evolve as a person!

3. Body-shaming Yourself.

On top of all the negativity we see in the world, we let our insecurities add to the fuel of reasons to put ourselves down. Nothing good was ever made in a day (except coffee), so why are we continuously kicking ourselves in the ass when we don't see immediate results? And more importantly, why do we care more about visible stretch marks and cellulite over our happiness and what matters on the inside. Mental health over physical appearance, first and foremost! That's one realization that really helped my personal growth and development over the last year. Words of affirmation go along way in promoting healthy changes and accomplishing them accordingly. Don't be your worst enemy, be your best friend!

4. Quit Hitting Snooze!

Whenever we get ready for bed, we often set a thousand alarms to wake us up in the morning, and end up hitting snooze until the last one comes around. This is a habit to break. Instead, wake up at the first alarm! You'll be surprised with how much extra time you have in the morning, and that no quality sleep was really missed!

5. Comparing Yourself.

It's so easy to scroll through our Instagram feed and compare ourselves to someone else. But what we forget is that no two people are the same, and that even though that person may have something you don't, or look a certain way, we should be blessed and focus on the life we were given. Instead of beating yourself down with negativity and criticism, FOCUS on yourself! Identify what you love about yourself and what you want to change, and just start from there! Someone may appear happier or more confident about themself, but without actually putting yourself in there shoes, sitting there comparing is simply a waste of your time. Quit making yourself feel less-worthy and understand that you are enough girl!

6. Put Down The Phone!

If you're anything like me, throughout the day you find yourself robotically picking up the phone to check notifications, likes, and messages. But one thing I've realized is that it truly takes time away from your goals and relationships. Whether it's engaging in more meaningful conversations with your friends, or taking better notes during class... putting down the phone will enable you to focus on what is actually happening behind your screen. Let's become more attentive and less reliant on our technological devices.

7. Hanging On To Things.

This could be literally or figuratively-- but when the time comes, and it will, you need to let go of unnecessary things and de-clutter your life. You'd be surprised how much more space you'd have in your closet, or how much more time you'd have in your day when things that don't add value or purpose in your life are left behind. This year, I challenge you to go through your closet and donate what you KNOW you wont wear. And if you are holding grudges from the past, its time to let them go. Forgiving and forgetting is such a good way to improve your mental health and mental clarity. "BE GONE DEMON!"

8. Eating When We're Not Hungry

I mean, if this isn't the most relatable thing you've ever read... But really, over-snacking is definitely a popular bad habit and one we are all guilty of from time to time (luckily, I love working out). With the help of our favorite Netflix series, eating a handful of Hot Cheetos turns into finishing the entire bag. It's important to change this bad habit, because losing touch of your body's natural hunger indicators can result into serious health consequences, and nobody wants that. So lets fuel our bodies with what they need in the new year!

What are some bad habits you want to break in the new year? Comment down below!