If there’s any good excuse for failing to keep a new year’s resolution, it’s 2020. All of it. With a year like the one we’ve just had, I think that we all get a pass for any resolutions we may have intended to carry out but didn’t. Interestingly though, stats from other years tell a very similar story of failure as far as resolutions go. For example, last year, the top three resolutions were exercising more, losing weight, and eating more healthily – outcomes which are largely in our own control. I suspect resolutions are very similar to these every year. No matter what the out-going year brought you. But 2020 was different. We can list several real things that affected us in 2020 and made many resolutions difficult, if not impossible, to stick to. That’s why this year, I am resolving to not claim any weight loss or fitness goals. After a year like we just had, finding ways to be happier in life seems like a much better resolution than weight loss.
New Year’s resolutions (at their core) are goals that we set for our lives and relationships. They can provide guidance and direction, but they can also give us a purpose and help us to cultivate true transformation. Creating a workable resolution is a process that takes time and introspection, but it also requires a lot of coming to terms with who we are and what we want. This year, it's time to put you first.
Learn to be happier with your life. Even those that are in decent shape, make a good living, and have stress under control can still be unhappy. It takes time and patience to learn how to find joy in the little things and not to let problems bring you down.
I’m generally an optimist, so I think that 2020 wasn’t all bad. Admittedly, this year had its share of challenges—like political scandals, natural disasters, racial unrest, and a world-wide pandemic—and it’s pretty clear we could all use a fresh start.
A lot of people say friends and family are the most important things in their lives, but their actions don’t show that to be true. Scheduling in quality time with loved ones should be at the absolute top of your New Year’s resolution list. The number-one predictor of happiness is spending time with people you care about and who care about you. This is a scientific fact! A study of 1,200 German participants found that people who set goals involving other people were happier with their lives a year later than those who focused on more individual pursuits, like quitting smoking or getting a promotion.
Another factor for being happier is to define what brings you meaning and do more of it. A lot of people think living with purpose is this giant, lifelong question. What the science of happiness teaches is you can find this in your daily and weekly life, and by doing that you can increase your positive emotions.
The key is to think about the things you do that feel especially meaningful, or even spiritual, and make them part of your routine. It could be doing charity work, FaceTiming with your parents, going to church, or being out connecting with nature. As little as an hour per week can make a huge difference in your happiness. No matter how busy you are, chances are you’ve got one hour a week to spare—so block it out on your calendar as a recurring appointment for service or spiritual connection, and watch what happens.
Researchers also found that adults who were learning a new skill reported increased happiness and satisfaction throughout their day. With this in mind, exploring something that interests you could be key to having a happy 2021. It could be learning to cook or taking a class related to your job. When you’re learning and growing, you’re going to have a higher level of happiness than staying static intellectually. It doesn’t have to be a huge time commitment either. Just one evening a week, listen to a podcast, watch a documentary, or read something you’re interested in. The bottom line is we get happiness from learning new things.
Whatever your 2021 resolutions are, make your life easier by using Bellisari’s products. We created Bellisari’s with a distinct vision of togetherness. We wanted to create high-quality products our whole family can be proud of. With a few secret ingredients for a unique taste, but with a familiar feeling that takes you back to that kitchen island. Our food wants you to feel surrounded by warmth, stories, delicious smells, memories, and family and friends. This is my wish for each and every one of you in 2021. Happy New Year from all of us at Bellisari’s!
