I’ve never been big on New Year’s Resolutions. Big, grand gestures that are usually completely abandoned by mid-February. Sure we’d all like to lose weight, exercise more and stop biting our nails but ain’t gonna happen b/c of some magic decree.
Still, I can kind of see the point of using the start of the year as a vantage point for evaluating your life and deciding what kind of changes need to be made. Too often we get bogged down in routine, so this one point in time is a great catalyst for saying yes to something new.
Therefore I’m gonna help you guys out. Haven’t picked up a New Year’s resolution this year? I’ve got some ideas for you:
Eat More… Foreign Food
There is so much good food in the world- incredible, mouth-watering food that you’ve never ever tried. Even if you are a fairly cultured person this is still true (and if you’re not, there’s no better way to fake sophistication than espousing your love of pho). So this year, make an effort to discover new favorites: try a new cuisine, order something new off the menu, be a little adventurous. That way when you finally do get to Japan or Spain or Ethiopia, you’ll actually know what you’re talking about.
Spend Less… on Dumb Stuff
Okay nobody understands the joy of impulse buying more than me, but all that useless stuff you accumulate weighs you down and drains your wallet. Save your money for more important things (like travel) and cut yourself off from buying stuff you don’t need (if you’re like me that means pretty much anything you buy online).
Try Things… That are Scary
This one can be really hard because well, scary things are scary! I think that it’s important to do things that scare you once in awhile, it makes you stronger and also lets you experience things you would never otherwise do. These don’t have to be massive things like jumping off a bridge , my scary things to overcome this year are groups of people I don’t know, and dance lessons.
Explore… The World Around You
I could call this one travel more, because of course I want everyone to travel more, but I think it’s an important sentiment whether you are across the world or in your own home. Make this the year you really get curious and learn about the world outside your door. Go on a day trip somewhere new, do something you’ve always wanted to or yes, buy a plane ticket. Life is short and there is a lot to see so don’t drag your feet!
What is all boils down to is the resolve to make 2012 the year to challenge yourself. Be a traveler of life, no matter where you are going this year.
I should definitely explore the world around me a l ttle more. I traveled to 22 countries last year, and as a result have become even more curious about exploring my home!
love this!
instead of making a vague new years “resolution” this year, my friends and I signed up for a half marathon in santa barbara wine country. Its a resolution of sorts I guess, but with a built in reward as we’ll be drinking lots of wine as soon as we finish the run.
The title should be, “Want More Adventure in your Life?” As a traveler, people ask, “how do you do it?” Your article covers that question! Great job!
Funny, I achieved a lot of these in 2011 without even trying! Especially the one about eating foreign foods… not a very adventurous eater, but I really opened up my palate this year. I can’t believe I found myself liking Vietnamese food without even a warming up period!
thats because vietnamese food is the BEST!
Love your resolutions! I agree with Christine that I really love you “explore the world around you” one. I tried to do that more in 2011, and the results were great!
Yay! I really think it’s possible to have a travel mindset even if you are stuck in once place.
Great ideas, Steph! I know exactly what you mean on cutting down on junk that you don’t need – but that’s more thanks to my brother! I’m AMAZED how much rubbish he’s accumulated at my mum’s house that he never uses. He’d make a fortune on eBay!
Personally, I’m all on-board for the “try more foreign food” stuff. My old city of Daegu has an Uzbek restaurant, so I may have to try it out, in the interests of multi-culturalism of course!
Uzbek restaurant? please blog about that!
I love these resolutions. People focus so much on doing things that aren’t any fun for New Year’s resolutions, when really resolutions should make the year better. These are some great ideas. I’ll be trying to do more of all these in 2012. Happy New Year’s.
Thanks! I agree, resolutions are about self imrpovement not self abuse.
What a brilliant idea, Steph! I love the idea of exploring the world around you more. I’ve learned that you don’t have to travel far or often to see some really awesome things: there are so many incredible sights waiting to be uncovered within or just outside city limits. Happy 2012!
Happy 2012 to you too! sounds like you’ve got a lot of travel lined up yourself this year.