New year resolutions can be a helpful way for people to set goals and make positive changes in their lives. However, it is important to keep in mind that success with resolutions often depends on the individual’s motivation, commitment, and follow-through.
Some people may find that making a resolution at the beginning of the year helps to provide focus and a sense of purpose, while others may struggle to stick to their resolutions over time. It’s also worth noting that it’s never too late to set goals and make positive changes, regardless of the time of year.
If you’re considering making a new year resolution, it can be helpful to set realistic and achievable goals, break them down into smaller, more manageable tasks, and track your progress along the way. It may also be helpful to enlist the support of friends, family, or a professional coach or therapist to help you stay motivated and on track.
Sustainable living new year resolutions ideas
Here are a few ideas for sustainable living to add to your other new year resolutions:
• Reduce your energy consumption: Consider making a resolution to reduce your energy consumption by turning off lights and appliances when they’re not in use, sealing windows and doors to reduce drafts, and using energy-efficient products.
• Reduce your water usage: Make a resolution to conserve water by taking shorter showers, turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, and fixing any leaks in your home.
• Reduce your waste: Consider making a resolution to reduce the amount of waste you produce by using reusable bags, containers, and water bottles, composting food scraps, and recycling whenever possible.
• Support local and organic agriculture: Make a resolution to support local and organic agriculture by purchasing food from farmers’ markets and supporting small, local farms. Try kitchen gardening if you have access to some space. There are several vertical garden styles you can explore.
• Use public transportation or walk or bike more: Consider making a resolution to reduce your carbon footprint by using public transportation, walking, or biking more often instead of driving. While at it, push for better policies and their implementation in public transportation.
• Support environmentally-friendly companies: Make a resolution to support companies that are environmentally friendly by purchasing products made from sustainable materials and supporting companies with strong environmental policies. Be careful with the greenwashers, they are too many out there. Little digging goes a long way.
• Plant a garden: Make a resolution to start a garden and grow your own food. This can help you reduce your carbon footprint and support sustainable agriculture. Or even flowers that will help support pollinators back to our ecosystem.
• Reduce your meat consumption: Consider making a resolution to reduce your meat consumption, as the livestock industry is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. We still have livestock that is free range, buy your meat from them. Try incorporating more plant-based meals into your diet.
How to stick to your new year resolutions
Here are a few tips that may help you stick to your new year’s resolutions:
• Make specific and achievable goals: Instead of making a broad resolution like “Green lifestyle,” set a specific goal like “shop at local markets or growing your own food” This will make it easier to track your progress and see the results of your efforts.
• Break your goals down into smaller, more manageable tasks: If your resolution is to eat healthier, for example, try setting a goal to eat at least one serving of vegetables with each meal. This will make it easier to make progress toward your larger goal.
• Track your progress: Keep a record of your progress, whether that’s in a written journal, an app, or a spreadsheet. Seeing the progress you’re making can be a great motivator.
• Find a support system: Enlist the support of friends, family, or a professional coach or therapist to help you stay motivated and on track.
• Be flexible: Don’t be too hard on yourself if you slip up or miss a day. Instead, try to learn from your mistakes and move on.
• Reward yourself: Celebrate your successes along the way and reward yourself when you reach a milestone. This can help to keep you motivated and help you stay on track.
• Keep your resolution in perspective: Remember that your resolution is meant to improve your life, not make it more difficult. If you’re struggling to stick to your resolution, it may be helpful to reassess whether it’s realistic and achievable, or if you need to make adjustments.
