January 1 is my favorite holiday, and making New Year’s resolutions is my favorite way to celebrate. Okay, that and cleaning out my closets! (I know, I’m a party animal). I know that there are various approaches to New Year’s resolutions, many of which we’ve featured here, but the old tried and true method of setting intentions is what has worked best for me.
This year, however, I’m going to set myself up for success, by actually figuring out ways (think products, services, apps…you get the idea) in which I can actually accomplish these new year’s resolutions. That’s why I’m so excited about our newest sponsor Mylio Photos, who I’ll be tapping to help me get all of my digital life (photos, videos, documents, oh my) in order in 2023. Thankfully, this service is so easy to use, that I’ll probably be done by the end of the month, maybe sooner. Stick around and learn more about what they can do. And don’t miss our very special offer below.
With that in mind, here are my 4 new year’s resolutions (some small, some lofty), with lots of resources to help me get started. Here’s hoping that these inspire you, too.
Exercise. For real.
Over the recent years, I’ve really struggled to find a regular exercise routine. I’ve tried everything from Barre classes to Orange Theory to just straight-up running, and pretty much everything in between, but honestly, I really struggle prioritizing my time for exercise. This has zero to do with my size, shape, or weight, by the way. I know that exercising is important for my mental and physical health. I know I feel better when I do it. But walking the dogs once a day is not cutting it, and I need to find something that I can be consistent about.
Pro tips: With a small gym in my neighborhood, I’ve got pretty much everything I need just a few steps away, but I definitely do better with classes than just heading to the gym where I find myself very easily distracted. That’s why I’m going to enlist the help of Obe Fitness, an app that offers a ton of really awesome classes, from yoga to HIIT, that I can take at home (where I actually have weights) or at the gym. I’m also considering investing in a desk treadmill so that I can walk while I work during the day. That’s one simple way I can guarantee getting more steps in, without having to completely reconfigure my lifestyle.
Get your digital life together
When my youngest daughter’s school asked for a baby photo of her for the 6th-grade moving-up celebration, I found myself tearing apart my computer, my old phone, and all my social media accounts to find one. And well, let’s just say that was the final straw in a long history of not being able to find photos (and other important documents) when I need them. As my kids are getting older, I want them to be able to access all of the digital files I’ve saved over the years, but right now, it’s just not possible.
Pro tips: Considering I’ve got files everywhere, across multiple platforms, a service like our sponsor Mylio Photos is the answer I’ve been looking for. And there’s no need to go through and delete duplicates or things you don’t need before you use it. You can literally create an account, download the app on all your gadgets, and then do all the “dirty work” when everything is together in one safe place. They sync everything up, locally (on my own computer or hard drive), so it’s safe to store (and share), and then you can pull up what you need, when you need it, thanks to the various ways you can organize everything (by face! by calendar! by albums you created in a few clicks!).
And it’s not just photos and videos, by the way. Think scans of old family photos, the artwork you snapped and tossed, those certificates that are gathering dust in some plastic container in your basement. I’m quite certain that by the end of January, I’ll have this all done, thanks to Mylio Photos. And you can too! It’s just $99 a year, plus you can get 20% off through this link.
Drink more water
I’m not even kidding when I say that about 42.5% of my problems could probably be solved by drinking more water. Okay, well not completely. But between my skin, my stomach, and my mood (thanks, Perimenopause), I keep hearing that a lot of what I’m experiencing can be helped just by upping the amount of water I drink.
Pro tips: For me, I have learned that if I want to drink more water, I need a cup with a straw, and I need it to be icy cold, so I’m investing in one of these Stanley cups that everyone seems to be raving about. And while I’m still on the fence about this ice machine, I have a feeling that it will probably get my whole entire family to drink more water. I say this with two friends who recently purchased one like it and now swear by it. So, who am I to judge?
Self-care through connections
We’ve spoken a lot about self-care here at Cool Mom Picks, and over the years, I’ve learned that it’s pretty complex. While it’s certainly about taking time for yourself (yes, reading books, manicures, and baths do count!), it’s also about truly caring for yourself (medical appointments, therapy, and exercise) too. For me this year, I want to put some effort back into personal connections, like seeing my people for coffee, going to parties I’m invited to but usually pass on, and supporting my friends in their accomplishments (book signings, open houses, concerts…).
Pro tips: It’s pretty easy to be overwhelmed by doing all the things. I’m fortunate to have a lovely close and broad social circle, so there’s always a little something going on. My plan is to make an effort to see at least one friend, whether it’s at an event or just for tea or coffee, at least once a month. And to connect with at least one friend once a month through Marco Polo. It’s an app I started using heavily during the pandemic and it helps me keep in touch with my close friends. I find it’s important for me to not overwhelm myself (this goes for everything, really), so that I can feel successful. If that happens, I’m more likely to keep doing it.
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