New Years Resolutions (that have nothing to do with the size of your body)

You mean I don't have to be in a constant battle with a scale, carbs, and margaritas? Sign me up!

Keep scrolling for ideas, including my FREE 2021 Budget template

Until a few years ago my New Year's Resolution every year was to lose "X" pounds. I would publicly bash resolutions, but in my head I always swore to myself that THIS would be the year that I would lose those pounds that society told me make me "less than." Less beautiful, less loveable, less successful, less happy, less secure.

After many years of trying to change my body in order to fit a certain size pants or get the compliments that would surely mean I was an amazing person I stumbled upon the body neutrality movement and BAM. You mean I don't have to be in a constant battle with a scale, carbs and margaritas? Sign me up!

You may have heard of body positivity, which is also a meaningful movement, but for my mental state "neutrality" is the key term. It's sustainable. It means my body is just a body. I don't have to love it, I don't have to hate it. It's not big, it's not small, it's not hard, it's not jiggly. It's simply a vessel that carries me through the experiences I am blessed to have in this life. It has NOTHING to do with my character, my accomplishments, my joy, my faith, or my relationships. I find joy in certain movements (most recently kickboxing and barre) and in eating foods that give me energy, but over time I have been able to mentally separate exercise and food from punishment, cheating, and good vs. bad. They are just movements that make me feel good and foods that I like to eat.

Since fully accepting this mindset I have let go of any resolution that relies on the size of my body. I still enjoy challenging myself and growing as a person through goal setting so I actually do love the idea of a resolution. For example, in 2020 I committed to reading the entire Bible. With a few days left of the year I am in the very last chapters and feel more fulfilled in faith than ever before! Maybe that could be your goal in 2021, but if not here are some other fun ideas that you may want to try! And they have nothing to do with the size of your body <3

Read 24 Books

Or any amount that would increase your "me" time! For me that's 2 books a month, for you that may be more or less. I use the app Goodreads to log books I want to read and track the ones I have finished. There's even a reading challenge that gives you badge once you've hit your goal for the year! Who doesn't love a badge?!

Do It Scared

Also known as "say yes more." If you are like me you are most comfortable trying things that you think you'll be good at. The fear of failing, embarrassing yourself, or not being the best holds us back from SO MUCH. So in 2021 I challenge you to do those things anyway. Say yes. DO IT SCARED!

Commit to Less Screen Time

This is a biggie for everyone in my household. We love our phones and our Disney+. For me, deleting apps or saying NO screen time is not sustainable. But I know I can at least cut down on my scrolling. Try turning off notifications so you're only looking at your phone when you are mindfully checking your emails, messages or social media. As far as TV goes, I love a Disney movie just as much as the next 3 year old, but limiting it is a must in our house. We've started having dance parties to end the night instead of a movie and we all have so much fun together!

Start a Budget…and stick to it!

100% of Anna MacDonald's polled found that they spend less when they are tracking their income and expenses. There is something about having to acknowledge and track spending that makes my shopping less compulsive. If you know me, you know I love an Excel spreadsheet. There are lots of fancy budgeting and expense tracking apps, but I'm making my fancy Google Sheet available to you here!

What will you commit to in 2021? Comment below or share in the Organized Chaos community group!