“Continue Watching.” You may recognize this phrase as a pesky Netflix prompt telling you that you’ve spent too much time watching your favorite show and avoiding grocery shopping, that gym workout or the laundry that’s been piling up all week. I’m sad (and a little embarrassed) to admit this message is all too familiar to me, especially during the winter months, when just the thought of leaving the comfort of my cozy bed on a Sunday makes me cold.
New Year’s Resolutions are kind of like the chores I avoid while binge-watching – I know I should do them, but I never really commit to them. While a new year provides us with a mental reset and a metaphorical clean slate as we move forward, setting brand new goals for the year isn’t the only way to start the new year feeling liberated and motivated. So, this year, I’m going to take a “queue” from Netflix and “continue.”
Instead of starting from scratch with new resolutions, I’m reflecting on what worked and what didn’t with my goals from the past year. I’m trying to find new ways to keep these core resolutions manageable and possible. In the process, I’ve been reflecting on what actions make me feel the happiest and the healthiest, and I want to make these my priorities.
My first goal is the most ambitious: Travel more. Getting away every few months can be it’s own refreshing restart in itself. Leaving the everyday stresses and routines behind, your body, mind and soul have the chance to regroup and recuperate. I had the privilege of joining our editor on the Aruba press trip reviewed on page 16. The beauty of the crystal waters, the heat of the soft sand and the soundtrack of waves lightly lapping on shore created an environment of peaceful relaxation and a cleanse for the soul. Coming home, I felt renewed and relaxed, and I hope to echo that feeling in the coming year with other trips.
I’ve never been one to enjoy exercise, so my second goal is a little cliché, but all too true: Fitness activities. When it comes to going to the gym, I am full of excuses to avoid it. No time, too tired, etc., etc. This year, instead of making false promises, my goal is just to make sure I do some sort of physical activity three to five times a week. This could mean taking a walk with my family, doing a workout tape in the living room, attending a yoga class or maybe actually getting myself to the gym a few times. This goal is a lot less stressful and more achievable for me, especially when the weather gets colder and I get lazier.
I usually start the New Year off with an organized, health-minded routine, but my consistency fades over time as I get busier. So, my final resolution is to reboot healthy habits. Some are as simple as making sure to floss, putting face cream on at night, cooking at home or making sure to dust once a week. These might be small changes, but they make me feel better and more productive, and can hopefully turn into habits that are a part of my every day so they won’t be easily discarded when life gets hectic.
So, with the New Year full of promise and possibility, I’m looking forward to more: packing my suitcase more, moving my body more and more healthy habits in my daily routine.
Although, I can’t promise I won’t spend a few of those Sundays clicking that pesky “continue watching” prompt more than a couple of times!
Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy New Year,
Colleen McGrew
Marketing and Social Media Manager
Washington FAMILY Magazine
