Why is everyone talking about “intentions” this year? Is it because we’ve realized that our fates in this world are fickle and easily derailed by pandemic and depression (economic and personal)? So while we may intend to travel more and lose weight, nine months of home confinement may well be in our future. The only intentions that might significantly affect you and your loved ones are things like being gentler, kinder, and more generous with your time. For the foolhardy, here are the ten most popular New Year’s resolutions.
1. Learn a New Skill
25% of people in 2020
There’s a new pressure to monetize every skill and interest we have in this world because it’s not worthwhile if it’s not making money. But this year, try to meditate back on your childhood interests and pick up a new skill that’s purely for recreation and relaxation.
2. Improve Relationships
28% of people
If there’s one thing the past year taught us, it’s how much we took for granted spending time with loved ones. Improving relationships might mean showing up authentically for people or texting first more often.
3. Focus on Spiritual Growth
28% of people
There are many reasons to exchange your current screen time on Instagram for focusing on spiritual growth. You’ll have less anxiety, more energy, and feel a connection to the larger universe instead of just envious of influencers.
4. Stick to a Budget
30% of people
Budgeting is kind of a fine, universal resolution, but if you’re living paycheck to paycheck, it’s almost impossible. You never know when you’ll have an unexpected expense that will wreck your budget for the next month or two.
5. Get More Sleep
30% of people
Grind culture needs to be canceled. The idea that hard work will have tangible payoffs in your life is a gamble. What isn’t a gamble is the myriad of physical and mental benefits that come from getting eight hours of sleep a night.
6. Reduce Stress
34%
This is a wish, not a resolution. But, you can do things to help you manage the stress in your life better. Try meditation, daily walks outdoors (safe even in a pandemic!), yoga, therapy, or counseling. It won’t guarantee a stress reduction, but these steps will probably help.
7. Lose Weight
37%
A healthier resolution would be to improve your relationship with your body, regardless of its weight. But it’s also a harder resolution when we’re surrounded by media and pressure, saying that thinner is always better. Just be kind to yourself.
8. Eat Healthily
43%
Considering how prevalent food deserts are in urban America and the price disparity between healthy foods and “unhealthy” foods, this resolution is more difficult for some. But shopping at farmer’s markets, eating seasonal produce, and eliminating some processed food from your diet is good for you, the environment, and your local economy.
9. Save Money
49%
Everyone should abandon this resolution for the next year or two because it’s basically impossible in a global pandemic. But if you want to make some progress towards savings, consider an app that rounds up daily purchases and puts the remainder into a retirement account, like Acorns.
10. Exercise More
50%
Gyms are still super-dangerous places, and if you hate sweating and moving quickly, this is just the worst resolution. Except, exercise is irrefutably good for your health–both physical and mental. Start just going for a walk outside.
