FACES of StyleBlueprint: New Year’s Resolutions Special

If you’re considering making a New Year’s resolution or two, you’re not alone. In fact, according to History.com, ancient Babylonians were the first to make New Year’s resolutions, and that was about 4,000 years ago. Resolutions back then were most commonly promises made to their pagan gods to make good on debts and return borrowed objects. If they failed, they lost favor with the gods, so there was the motivation.

Today, resolutions are more self-focused as people resolve to get healthier, exercise more, save more and spend less. Interestingly, and perhaps ironically, for 2016, the most popular resolution was to live life to the fullest.

If you’re of the resolution-making ilk, you’re not alone. Here are some SB staffers’ resolution plans for 2017. Perhaps yours are the same, perhaps they’re different, or perhaps you, like some of us, make resolutions all year long. Regardless, best of luck in your resolution success, and here’s to a very happy, healthy 2017!

TEAM SB: NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

“I’m really bad with sticking to New Year’s resolutions but I’ve been inspired over the past year seeing people who plan many parts of their lives and stick to the plan. My goal for 2017 is to have a “year plan” in place by January 20 (the 4th quarter is too nuts to get this done before then!) both professionally and personally and to find someone to meet with monthly to hold me accountable. I’ve learned that I can’t be accountable on my own. My first of many goals is being less attached to my phone and more present in the life in front of me.”

– Liza Graves, StyleBlueprint Cofounder

 

“Each year I try to pick something that’s not too overwhelming or all or nothing in hopes that I will be successful. Last year, my resolution was to go old-school and write a letter by hand and mail it by snail mail to someone — a friend, relative or acquaintance — every Monday. In 2017, I’m rallying my family, and we’re going to do a different volunteer project once each month. If we can’t be successful at doing one thing per month for others, then something’s wrong.”
— Ashley Haugen, SB Managing Editor

“I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. I tend to make resolutions throughout the year. Why wait to start a good thing?”
— Ginny Staggs, Director of Sales

“My New Year’s resolution is to meditate and do yoga more often. I started working out at OrangeTheory as a resolution in January 2015, and I’ve stuck with it consistently for two years. Other times, namely when I vow to have a sober January, I fail miserably. Every year. I guess I should add that resolution to No. 1. Sigh.”
— Megan Casey, SB Director of Marketing

“I like to make resolutions because it makes us plan, map things out and gives us cool things to look forward to. So this year, my New Year’s resolution is to try something new once a month. Having been in Nashville now 3+ years, we don’t want to stop trying new things/places/venues. So I’m starting in January with a class at USN, then use the SB app to explore Birmingham and Sanford, try new restaurants and music venues in March, find one of the nearby waterfalls to hike in spring, visit a new museum — George Strait, go to Dollywood and support the “comeback efforts” and follow the Natchez Trace for a weekend in the fall.”
— Beth Brooks, SB Digital Media Specialist

“Learn how to whistle. Grow more tomatoes and roses. Avoid watching the news. I always make resolutions.  And, learning to whistle has been at the top of my list for 40 years so not sure if I can say I accomplish/keep them. But this is my year. I can feel it.” – Linda Reeve, SB Director of Social Media

“My New Year’s resolution for 2017 is to see all of my best friends, who are scattered around the country, at least once. This takes an incredible amount of planning (and money), but keeping up long-distance friendships takes work. The best kind of work.”
— Caroline Morrison, SB Copy Editor

“I basically have the same New Year’s resolution every year — eat healthier and get more exercise. Clearly I’m not very successful at keeping my resolutions considering I have to make the same one every year, but hopefully 2017 will be my year!”
— Bailey Torkelson, Birmingham Client Success Representative

“My 2017 New Year’s resolution is to take time to do things for myself, whether it’s for my creative, spiritual or physical well-being. I’ve gotten into a pattern of putting myself last, and I need to reset and give myself a little bit of love.”
— Lauren Helmer, SB Birmingham Editor

“I don’t ever come up with New Year’s resolutions — my birthday is the day I usually reflect back on all I’ve accomplished over the past year. Having my own day to take the time to focus on the positive things in my life seems much more genuine.”
— Amy Trainum, SB Charlotte Editor

“I’m making a really selfish NYR: I am putting myself first in my decision-making. Now that my kids are grown, I feel like it’s time for me to ask myself what it is I REALLY want, whether it’s where I live, how I live or what I want to do.”
— Sally Walker, SB Memphis Editor

“I want to hike in a state where I have never hiked before. I usually make one resolution that I can make a fun challenge for me and the husband, and we are successful because we try to think of something we can do together.”
— Malise Culpepper, SB Memphis Account Executive

“I do make resolutions and more times than not they do not ‘stick,’ but here’s to trying again this year! This year, I’m resolving to be early/on time and to begin a new devotional.”
— Connie Prince, SB Nashville Account Executive

“I have resolutions all of the time, not just at New Year’s. I typically do not call them ‘New Year’s resolutions.’ However, I did make a resolution in 2015 to lose weight. I lost 25 pounds and have kept them off. Success there! My resolutions for 2017 are to finish my outdoor building/deck revamp project, which includes finding outdoor pillows for a sofa. They also include getting part of the exterior of our house painted.”
— Cindy Acuff, SB Nashville Account Executive

“My resolution comes in three parts: eat less sugar, drink more water and spend more time meditating. These three things are persistently challenging for me but when attained, always make me feel better physically and mentally. It’s a continual work in progress but the new year is always a good reminder to stay on track. These are (and have been for a few years) my new year’s resolutions, mid-year resolutions and end-of-year resolutions. Here’s to hoping I can master them in 2017 and make a new batch of resolutions come 2018.”
— Alex Hendrickson, SB Nashville Associate Editor and Lead Writer 

“I am resolved to be more spontaneous and embrace opportunities to do things outside my comfort zone. Also, I will commit (as I have for the past 10 years) to exercise more, eat healthier, and generally treat my body like a temple instead of a trashcan.” – Margaret McClintock, SB Nashville Client Success Representative

And, we’re assuming the rest of Team SB is enjoying their time off too much to think about resolutions just yet! And, there’s some inspiration in that as well …

Here’s to a happy, healthy and successful 2017!

**********

We’re posting fun new findings every single day on Instagram. Follow us at @StyleBlueprint.