Uncommon New Year’s Resolutions
Welcome 2020!
Today is not only the first day of a new year, but also the first day of a new decade! So before we go any further, Happy New Year! Next, I’d like to share my thoughts on one of the most talked about topics this time of year: New Year’s resolutions. The history of New Year’s resolutions can be traced back to the ancient Babylonians some 4,000 years ago. They made promises to the gods to pay their debts and return any objects they had borrowed during a massive 12-day religious festival known as Akitu. “These promises could be considered the forerunners of our New Year’s resolutions.” But the Babylonians aren’t the only ones who can take credit for this tradition. A similar practice occurred in ancient Rome after Julius Caesar established January 1 as the beginning of the new year circa 46 BC.
“Named for Janus, the two-faced god whose spirit inhabited doorways and arches, January had special significance for the Romans. Believing that Janus symbolically looked backwards into the previous year and ahead into the future, the Romans offered sacrifices to the deity and made promises of good conduct for the coming year.” (from History.com)
People today still make New Year’s resolutions or “promises of good conduct.” There are the typical resolutions to go to the gym more often and eat healthier, but I’ve wondered if it isn’t the more uncommon New Year’s resolutions that might just make your year a teeny tiny bit better, more fruitful, more exciting, or maybe just a little more fun.
Uncommon Resolutions
After scouring the internet, I found some unconventional resolutions that I think you’ll get a kick out of. Here you go— a list of my favorite uncommon New Year’s resolutions:
- Sew one sequin onto each piece of clothing you own—I like this one because not only is it like a little game every time you put on a piece of clothing, but it also reminds you to shine like the star you are.
- Throw a dart at a map and go to the location where it lands—this will help you stay away from tourist traps and get you to a place you might not have thought of before.
- Finish the Certificate of Packaging Science—shameless plug, I know, BUT, I’m enrolled and I still need to finish all of the courses. And I want to be able to officially earn my certificate this year (you can enroll here if you’re inspired by me)!
- Listen to a new song everyday—instead of getting stuck on the same playlist day after day, broaden your musical horizons and discover a new song each day. Ask your co-workers for help.
- Keep the cell phone out of the bedroom—your phone will no longer wake you up in the middle of the night, and you won’t waste hours on Facebook before falling asleep.
- Follow new packaging trends—again a personal goal, but keeping up to date with trends helps me be more agile to face what’s around the corner, and of course the trends I want to follow are packaging based. My favorite 2020 trends are here.
- And finally, finish an entire Chipotle burrito—those things are the size of small children, and I’ve never known how anyone can finish an entire one.
What are some of YOUR resolutions?
