So, it’s the first week of the new year and all you’ve done is binge Making a Murderer on Netflix and return a few things to the mall. Sure, you normally want to “lose ten pounds” and “clean out the hall closet” but strict resolutions are unattainable. Instead, think of small, manageable ways to hit the reset button for the coming year. Here are ten ideas.
10 Ways to Finally Get Your Life Together in 2016
Button up, buttercup
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Published Jan 6, 2016
Get On A Cleaning Schedule
And actually stick to it. (Say, you wash your sheets every Saturday, your towels every Wednesday and your area rug every January 15.) It helps to buy a separate calendar to keep track of when you’ve cleaned what. Just make sure to hang it in a high-traffic area like the kitchen.
Do A Comprehensive Wardrobe Check
Specifically, weed out all the clothes that don’t bring you joy. It’s an organizational theory called the KonMari method (from a Japanese closet guru), and it’s pretty life-changing.
Organize Your Phone
OK, you’ve folded your joy-filled sweaters and washed your entire life. Now tackle your chaotic phone by categorizing your apps with action-verb folders (like “Listen” and “Share”). No clutter; no stress.
Become A Morning Person
We know this whole getting-out-of-bed-when-it’s-still-dark-out ain’t so easy, but according to a study by the Harvard Business Review, morning people tend to make higher wages. (Maybe it’s from all the stretching and power breakfast-ing.)
Erin McDowell
Map Out Dinners A Month In Advance
Planning makes perfect, especially when it comes to dinner. Block out time to sit down and plan every supper for the next month--using meal templates. You essentially assign a food category (like “taco night”) to each day, and once the schedule has been set, you’ll never have the burden of deciding again.
Update Your 'do
What better way to kick-start the new year than by debuting a fresh new cut? If you need a little inspiration, take a cue from some of our favorite celebs. (Adele’s chop FTW.)
Book Your Next Vacation
Just because you ended one vacation doesn’t mean you can’t look forward to the next one. (We hear St. John is perfect in February.) If you want to score the cheapest airfare, “fake” your buying location.
Exercise Smarter
The trick? Educating yourself. Most “facts” about working out and staying healthy are actually old wives’ tales. (Exhibit A: Crunches are whack.) Start your fitness goals by dispelling the untruths. Then start slow and get sweatin’. (Hikes are great for out-of-shape folks.)
Catch Up On Your Reading
Step away from the gossip mags and finally finish one of your book club novels on time. Or set a realistic goal to finish one book per month. Your small-talk game can thank us later.
Have More Money In The Bank
Pay off the credit cards and obey thy budget. It’s that simple.
