New Years Resolutions – Healthier, happier 2018 {With free printable}

2018 is well underway and before we know it will be Valentines Day, Easter and the like. I find the older I get the faster the years are going! I know that for many people New Years Resolutions maybe feel a bit pointless – I think we all feel inside like what’s the point? I’d like to challenge that thinking! Don’t let your year start with a mentality that you’ll never reach your goals. Have a positive attitude filled with hope that 2018 will be a fantastic one!

{If you’re wanting a bit of help in setting goals, why not download my 2018 New Years Resolution printable – TOPKNOTCH Blog – new years resolutions planner.compressed}

I decided to do a post specifically what my 2018 resolutions / changes are because I believe in the power of writing them down. I also thought it would be great to then check in periodically and update you guys on how I’m doing. Since I studied psychology I think I’m hooked on the SMART method of attaining goals – which are great! But sometimes small changes can be good too. For those of you who have never heard of this it is really simple to understand. I think this picture below explains it very well:

For more tips on how to keep track of your goals, you can read a previous article I wrote here. 

So without further time wastage, here are some of my resolutions for 2018

• Be active 3 times per week in some form for longer than 30 minutes at a time – whether it be gyming, running or going for a long walk.
• Running a 10k race by June
• Drastically reduce my processed meat intake (sausages, hams etc)
• Cut out diet cooldrinks (I’m trying to eat much more natural and wholesome foods and drinks – a lifestyle change)
• Practicing more self love and care. I’ve spent a large portion of my life yo-yo / fad dieting in a desperate bid to look ‘perfect’. This year I’m going to embark on a journey towards self-love and I’d love to share more about this with you all. For inspiration, I’d recommend following Marciel Hopkins 
• Read one book per month
• Reduce screen time- TV / Cellphones and the like – I’d actually like to even set days where I can turn it all off completely and just relax
• Work more on skincare. I’m very strict on taking off my makeup at night but my routine is very unstable after that!! 🙂 I’d like to invest in more skincare products and have a set routine.

What about some blogging New Years Resolutions?

• Write at least one post per week. This could seem low to some of you but I am balancing work and studies and feel stretched thin at times – like we all do! So this is my minimum. On more manageable weeks, I’d like to write up to three.
• Write content plans for each month in advance by the 25th of each month (In line with pay day and new beauty hauls, hehe 😉 )
• Build relationships with more bloggers in SA- my highlight of my blogging journey so far has been all the amazing people I’ve met. Would love to meet even more in 2018.
• Write a really long, ultimate “how-to” post!
• Celebrate my own growth more than getting dispondent when things dont happen as quiçkly as i want them to.

I think the key with New Years Resolutions is to make them sustainable. This year, instead of focusing on extreme changes, I’ve decided to focus more on lifestyle changes and embracing who I am. I feel like exercise and eating should be a celebration of who we are, not punishment. I’m really looking forward to sharing 2018 with you all and can’t wait for what the months ahead hold!

Happy January Topknotch readers!

xxx