What is it about the New Year that makes us want to throw out, clean up, and organize our lives? Whatever the reason, let’s take some tips from Marie Kondo’s best-selling book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” (with a realistic spin) to declutter your home.

Maybe it’s putting away all of the holiday décor that makes us want to refresh our space. Or finding places to store our newly acquired stuff that leaves us with a deep desire to purge.

Did you make a resolution this year to declutter your home? If your decluttering tactics started strong only to fall flat time and again, it may be time to employ some new strategies. Marie Kondo’s “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” holds several nuggets of wisdom to help make tidying a way of life. If you’ve read the book and were left feeling overwhelmed, you are normal, and may just need to tailor her tips to work for you.

Unless you are an extreme organizer, in which case you most likely don’t need this book, Kondo’s tactics will seem, um, borderline ridiculous. I consider myself an organized person and love a clean house, but Kondo is far more committed to tidiness than I will ever want to be.

That doesn’t mean you can’t take what you want from the book, make it your own, and leave the rest. While Kondo firmly states that varying from her tidying plan will only lead to sure failure (reverting back to your old ways and ending up with a cluttered existence), those of us who are a bit less neurotic about our organization can likely find a balance.

7 Tips from “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” (and some totally doable counterpoints)

1. A tidying marathon doesn’t cause rebound: Marie poo-poos those articles you read on doing a little decluttering at a time, and recommends going whole hog and doing the whole job at once. She feels that taking a do-some-everyday approach leads to never getting ahead of the clutter.

Doable idea: What if you tackled one small area at a time and got that whole (smallish) task finished to completion? You’d feel accomplished without the sinking feeling of taking on a tidying marathon.

2. Tidying is just a tool, not the final destination: Are you uncomfortable living in an ultra decluttered environment? Most of us probably are not. In her book, Kondo stresses the importance of getting to the root of your inner clutter and anxiety so you can learn to dwell happily in a tidy space.

Doable idea: Live in the level of tidiness that feels right to you. How much does it suck to feel like your home has to be as completely flawless as your friend with the perfect-at-all-times house? Can you live up to these standards? Probably, yes. Will you feel fulfilled and happy doing so? If the answer is no, shoot for what makes you feel at home.

3. Putting things away creates the illusion that the clutter problem has been solved: Marie feels that if you are sticking items away somewhere, you will eventually have another mess you need to clear out.

Doable idea: For someone with slightly above average storage skills, this doesn’t sound all that bad. Isn’t having a storage room/closet/cupboard for this very purpose? To store the stuff you don’t use every day? Hit that baby up with a good purging once a year and be thankful you have it the rest of the time.

4. Tidying up by location is a fatal mistake: Fatal? Yikes! Kondo admits she is ashamed that it took her three whole years to realize this huge error in judgement. Rather than tackle one area at a time, she advocates decluttering by category – books, clothes, dishes, etc. This is because we tend to store the same items in a variety of places in our home and we all tend to have way too much stuff.

Doable idea: I actually like this idea of sorting by category. After having recently moved, I can definitely cop to the having waaaay too much stuff deal. Still, do you really want all of your books in one place? It may be easier to handle and make more sense to sort by category per area (see #1).

5. Don’t change the method to suit your personality: Oops. That is exactly what this whole article is about. Marie says if you stick to her method, you can’t go wrong with decluttering and will be a lifelong tidy person. Sounds great, but after a month of folding our clothes into little sausage shaped logs (which does make for a lot more storage space, actually), we couldn’t keep up the maintenance and reverted back to the regular way.

Doable idea: If it stresses you out, takes up too much of your time or doesn’t fit into your lifestyle, you are going to hate it and probably won’t do it. Read the book. It’s short and sweet. You are sure to come away with tidbits that do work for you. One I love is to not let your family see items you are throwing away. Old stuff no one needs does not need to make its way back into anyone’s closet.

6. Clearly define separate storage spaces for each family member: Enough said. Love this!

Doable idea: The pitfall? You know there are going to be things (probably lots of them) that fall into the “everyone” category. Adding a communal storage area is inevitable when dealing with family stuff.

7. Empty your bag every day: Seriously? I should clean out my purse every day? Don’t know about you, but cleaning out my purse is an event all its own. One I try to avoid until absolutely necessary and certainly do not have time for every day.

Doable idea: Unless you have loads of time on your hands or a seriously empty purse or backpack, clear that thing out on your commute or while waiting to pick up the kids.

Which approach do you see in your future? Marie’s all or nothing clear out, or a gentler approach to declutter your home?

Have you read the book? Those of you who stick to Marie’s method, we’d love to hear from you. Chime in with a comment.

*Disclaimer: Help support EcoSalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

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Image of declutter your home via Shutterstock

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I don’t know about you, but after this past week, I’m kind of ready to tell 2015 to shove it… and all I want to do is watch animal videos.

Well, thank goodness Google and YouTube exist, because all I had to do was type “cute pets 2015” and I came across this gem. Watch, enjoy, and have a wonderful New Year.

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Made your New Year resolutions yet? Don’t forget your beauty kit. Get your routine streamlined and healthy for 2015 with these natural beauty resolutions.

You’ve likely heard of the less is more approach to healthy beauty. As in, using fewer products means fewer ingredients on your skin. So true, but some of us are not so minimal when it comes to beauty. If you fall into this camp, read on for ways to revamp your kit for the healthier in the coming year.

Choose one from the following list and go from there. Or use these as inspo and come up with your own beauty resolutions.

12 Natural Beauty Resolutions for 2015

1. Ditch your mainstream moisturizer

Or any product that sits on your skin all day long (serum, eye cream, makeup). Conventional beauty products contain harmful chemical ingredients. More exposure means these ingredients have more time to soak into skin and body. If you’ve yet to make the switch to healthy products, this is a great place to start. Shop Spirit Beauty Lounge for a wide range of safe products, plus a helpful skin type guide.

2. Cleanse safer

If you are looking for an easy transition to green beauty, this is a fairly easy place to begin. Unlike our favorite moisturizer or beauty treatment, cleansers are fairly universal. Look for products free from Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES). Always stick with products made for your skin type. This goes for body wash too.

3. Take the less ‘poo is more approach

Not only are mainstream hair care products chock full of harmful ingredients, but all of that sudsing up is keeping your locks from looking their best. Commit to skipping a day (or five) in between washings to bring back bounce and shine. Feeling greasy on your off day? Try a dry shampoo to absorb excess oil and add body.

4. Trade in your old scent

We’ve talked before about the hazards of synthetic fragrance, but it is important enough to mention again. You are not doing yourself or those around you any favors by sporting toxic scent. Test drive a natural fragrance and you will soon have your new, healthy, signature scent.

5. A more friendly mani

As you’d imagine, nail polish can be loaded with icky ingredients. There are several brands on the market making safer polishes. And they come in a dizzying array of color options. Grab a few and take your fave with you to your next mani session.

6. Invest in multi-taskers

What’s better than one beauty product that can perform several functions? Add an RMS Beauty Eye Polish to your beauty kit. These work on eyes, cheeks, and lips. I love Solar and Magnetic for winter.

7. Opt for refillables

Purchase beauty products with refillable containers to cut down on waste. Kjaer Weis makes incredibly gorgeous makeup products with compacts so hot you’ll want to display them, not throw away. Worth every cent, inside and out.

8. Recycle tubes, boxes, and bottles

While we’re on the subject of packaging…Most organic beauty companies take care to put their products in packages that can be recycled. Don’t forget to throw yours in the proper bin once you’ve used the last drop.

9. Clean and toss

As you do in the kitchen, be sure you are keeping your beauty kit clean. Wash brushes (I use a bit of foaming face wash, rinse well, and allow to air dry) and purchase new sponges regularly. Don’t forget to throw out old or expired products. Find out how long to keep products around.

10. Slough to smooth

This step is often overlooked, but regular exfoliation is essential in keeping skin healthy and looking its best. A simple DIY sugar and milk mixture does the trick beautifully. Gently massage over face and body while in the shower. Emerge with baby soft skin. This can (and should) be done once or twice weekly, depending on your skin type.

11. Say no to animal testing

By purchasing products whose ingredients have not undergone animal testing you are casting your vote to end the practice. Testing cosmetic ingredients on animals is cruel and unnecessary. Read a brand’s commitment page to make sure their ingredients (not just finished products) have not been tested on animals.

12. Add something new

Who said resolutions can’t be fun? Mix things up a bit. Usually stick to sheer lipgloss? Try a deeper color. Pick up a colored mascara or new eyeshadow hue. Find out what’s hot for the New Year and go for it!

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It’s that time of year again–when we resolve to make drastic and mostly superficial changes in our lives. But it doesn’t have to be that way. The New Year can be a time when we set smart goals towards meaningful changes in our lives that we actually keep.

This 5 Step Guide of smart goals forces you to look a little deeper at why you makes the life decisions that you do especially when they don’t serve you.

5 Smart Goals for Making Meaningful Changes in 2014

1. Change only one thing at a time.

Pick one area of your life in which to focus. If you try and change too much at one time you’ll end up frustrated and exhausted. In my own life, gradual changes have really been the only ones that actually stick. Whether it be vegetarianism, eating organic, yoga, or meditation–all of the lasting changes in my life have been gradual.

2. Identify why you want to change.

Superficial changes are much less likely to stick. Why do you really want to change? Why is a particular behavior not working? What aspects of drinking too much are bothersome? Why does eating too many sweets hurt you in the end? Take a closer look at why you would like to give a behavior up.

3. How does a current behavior help you?

Just because you find a certain seemingly negative behavior helpful doesn’t mean that it’s good for you. But even still, there’s a reason why you’re doing it. What benefit does your current behavior serve in your life? This way you can find a substitute for the feeling this behavior provides.

4. Don’t run away from discomfort.

Now that you’ve identified both the good and the bad reasons why you do something, be mindful when you get the urge to submit to a bad habit. Can you sit with the discomfort that giving up a habit brings you? Maybe you overeat when you’re stressed or have a glass of wine. Instead, can you just sit with the feeling of anxiety or stress?

5. Avoid the naysayers.

If you’re trying to make meaningful changes in your life, stay away from the naysayers–those who prefer that things stay at homeostasis. Certain people around you may benefit from the way things are even if your bad habit is a part of it.

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Image: martinak15

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Step into 2014 with a fabulous, fresh and eco-chic closet!

Does your wardrobe need an update or a bit of pizzazz for the New Year? We’ll we’ve got some advice for you – this year’s resolution can start in your very own closet, and turn into one of the most enjoyable, creative and chic New Year’s commitments you’ve ever made. Read through our 10 fantastic and simple tips to turn your closet into an eco-friendly fashion phenomenon.

1. Get ready to sift through it all
First things first, which means you’ll have to actually know what’s in your closet before you can deal with it. We recommend setting aside a free day or evening dedicated to closet cleaning, and gathering some boxes for anything you are planning on taking to the local thrift store or charity shop.

2. Take it all out
This means taking everything (and yes, we mean EVERYTHING) out of your closet. Make sure you have enough room in your room to do this, cleaning up and putting things away before gutting out your closet.

3. Organize all your clothes into sections
Organize your clothes in away that makes sense to you, but doesn’t get too complicated. Place t-shirts in one place, pants in another, dresses in another, and so on. If you’re really into organizing, you can even color code your clothes, but do what works best for you to save time in the mornings and keep clutter at bay.

4. Use the 20/80 rule
This means that you’ll have to evaluate which clothes and accessories you actually wear, and the ones that spend most, if not all, of their time in your closet. The average American wears about 10 to 20 percent of their clothing, so do yourself a favor and set aside anything that you only wear 20 to 0 percent of time for the boxes.

5. Arrange a clothes swap with friends
Your unused or discarded clothes might be  treasures for your best friends, and you may find the perfect party dress or office shirt in their thrift store box,  so set up a swapping party. Make it a girl’s night with some tunes, drinks and delicious snacks!

6.  Upcycle!
Maybe you just can’t part with that favorite, old tee or pair of jeans that you never wear because they’re so worn out. Refashion them into a stylish new addition to your wardrobe with one of the several online upcycling tutorials, or play around with your own designs to come up with something completely unique.

7. Learn how to make do and mend
In our consumption oriented, throw-away culture, fixing our torn or holey garments isn’t a pastime many aspire to. But learning how to sew a tear or patch a hole can be so rewarding, and well worth the effort to repair your favorite sweater or pretty dress. You’ll probably save some money too!

8. Blend simplicity with great accessories
Basics like black trousers, simple tees, A-line dresses and sweaters are fantastic staples for your closet, since they can be dressed up or down with quirky, decorative or bold jewelry, scarves, belts and cover ups.

9. Go for the eco-chic alternative

Is there an essential garment of accessory you need to top off your 2014 look, or maybe your missing some basics for layering? Skip the Zara’s and H&M’s and choose an eco-chic alternative that’s good for you, the planet and the people that made it.

10. Learn how to make your own
This is probably the coolest New Year’s resolution you could make for your closet, and a very eco-friendly and rewarding one. The best thing about making your own clothes is that no one else will have one like it, and you can make it fit your body perfectly.

Image: Mr. X

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Inspiring quotes for fresh starts and new beginnings. 

A new year brings a blank slate, the chance to begin again. But really, every day provides us the opportunity for a fresh start. Here are 20 inspiring quotes intended to do just that.

1. And now let us welcome the new year, full of things that never were. -Rainer Maria Rilke

2. It’s not about ‘what can I accomplish?’ but ‘what do I want to accomplish?’ Paradigm shift. -Brene Brown

3. Whatever you do or dream you can do – begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it. -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

4. When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It’s to enjoy each step along the way. -Wayne Dyer

5. The beginning is always today. -Mary Wollstonecraft

6. Forgiveness says you are given another chance to make a new beginning. -Desmond Tutu

7. Begin somewhere; you cannot build a reputation on what you intend to do. -Liz Smith

8. I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning. -J. B. Priestly

9. Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. -Carl Bard

10. Look with favour upon a bold beginning. -Virgil

11. If all you can do is crawl, start crawling. -Rumi

12. Beginning with audacity is a very great part of the art of painting. -Winston Churchill

13. What is not started today is never finished tomorrow. -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

14. Life isn’t about finding yourself.
Life is about creating yourself.
-George Bernard Shaw

15. The beginning is the most important part of the work. -Plato

16. Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect. -Alan Cohen

17. Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life – think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success. -Swami Vivekananda

18.Forget past mistakes. Forget failures. Forget everything except what you’re going to do now and do it. -William Durant

19. Every moment is a fresh beginning. -T.S. Eliot

20. It is never too late to be what you might have been. -George Eliot

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Image: Zach Dischner

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What better way to end 2013 and kick off the New Year than with kittens performing the “Lion King’?

Exactly. Here you go. May your 2014 be as warm and fuzzy as this.

Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

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EcoSalon’s favorite 40 quotes on fresh starts and new beginnings.

Every man should be born again on the first day of January. Start with a fresh page. -Henry Ward Beecher

In the dim background of our mind, we know what we ought to be doing but somehow we cannot start. -William James

Begin today. Declare out loud to the universe that you are willing to let go of struggle and eager to learn through joy. -Sarah Ban Breathnach

The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life. -Steve Jobs

There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth… not going all the way, and not starting. -Buddha

Start wherever you are and start small. -Rita Baily

Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect. -Alan Cohen

I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning. -J. B. Priestly

Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible. -Saint Francis of Assisi

The secret to living the life of your dreams is to start living the life of your dreams today, in every little way you possibly can. -Mike Dooley

Life is not a dress rehearsal. Stop practicing what you’re going to do and just go do it. In one bold stroke you can transform today. -Marilyn Grey

The beginning is the most important part of the work. -Plato

There are some things one can only achieve by a deliberate leap in the opposite direction. -Franz Kafka

You don’t need endless time and perfect conditions. Do it now. Do it today. Do it for twenty minutes and watch your heart start beating. -Barbara Sher

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. -Theodore Roosevelt

Don’t worry about being worried. You’re heading out on an adventure and you can always change your mind along the way and try something else. -Tracy Kidder

We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves, otherwise we harden. -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

When I face the desolate impossibility of writing 500 pages, a sick sense of failure falls on me, and I know I can never do it. Then gradually, I write one page and then another. One day’s work is all that I can permit myself to contemplate. -John Steinbeck

You will never win if you never begin. -Helen Rowland

If all you can do is crawl, start crawling. -Rumi

Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending. -Maria Robinson

The indispensable first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want. -Ben Stein

Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently. -Henry Ford

Begin somewhere; you cannot build a reputation on what you intend to do. -Liz Smith

A time comes when you need to stop waiting for the man you want to become and start being the man you want to be. -Bruce Springsteen

Some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity. -Gilda Radner

The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret to getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks and then starting on the first one. -Mark Twain

What is not started today is never finished tomorrow. -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 

Nothing is predestined. The obstacles of your past can become the gateways that lead to new beginnings. -Ralph Blum

He has drawn back, only in order to have enough room for his leap. -Friedrich Nietzsche

Keep on beginning and failing. Each time you fail, start all over again, and you will grow stronger until you have accomplished a purpose – not the one you began with perhaps, but one you’ll be glad to remember. -Anne Sullivan

Whatever you do or dream you can do – begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it. -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. -Martin Luther King, Jr.

Don’t wait for something big to occur. Start where you are, with what you have, and that will always lead you into something greater. -Mary Manin Morrissey

The secret to a rich life is to have more beginnings than endings. -Dave Weinbaum

Don’t look further for answers: be the solution. You were born with everything you need to know. Make a promise to stop getting in the way of the blessing that you are. Take a deep breath, remember to have fun, and begin. -Jonathan H. Ellerby

The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. -Walt Disney

I think there is something more important than believing: Action! The world is full of dreamers. There aren’t enough who will move ahead and begin to take concrete steps to actualize their vision. -W. Clement Stone

Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. -George Bernard Shaw

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What we’re committing to in the new year. 

Although we believe that every day is the chance to make a change – resolutions, as we all know, tend to get broken – the annual transition in the new year does give us a clean slate. It’s a time of reflection and renewal, the chance to move forward with better intentions, more energy and a new creative spirit.

To celebrate this transition, we gathered New Year’s tips from the EcoSalon team. They’re not resolutions, simply thoughts on living, loving and breathing better in the coming year.

Here’s what we came up with:

My rules to live by in 2012: Unkink whatever’s tight, be on time every time, write words people want to read, refuse to date bad kissers, wear high heels and don’t go foolin’ folks. –Sara Ost

Don’t make your New Year’s resolution about you. Before last year, my resolutions had always fallen in the self-improvement vein: “exercise more,” “eat healthier,” and “quit biting my nails” (16 years and counting!). Last year, I decided to make just one resolution, and it wasn’t about me. I resolved to be more conscious about how my spending habits affect other people and the environment. Over the last year, the resolution has snowballed, resulting in less consumption, more environmental awareness, better eating habits, and ultimately a career change, move to Southeast Asia, and new small business. This year was one of fundamental growth, and it started by thinking less about my world and more about the world around me. –Jessica Marati

I’m going into 2012 with an open heart and by open heart I mean, if I see you and I like you I’m going to tell you how wonderful you are. And if I don’t like you, I’m going to shut my mouth. –Amy DuFault

This tip is really from my father: Every day when you wake up you have a choice – you can choose to be in a bad mood and make it a bad day or you can choose to be in a good mood and make it a good day. Always choose happiness. It’s so simple, and if you give it you will get it. –Johanna Björk

Make a point of stopping for a moment every day, however busy or stressed you are: take 10 minutes to sit down with a cup of something and R-E-L-A-X. Pause the brain and body. Not at the computer, or with the TV or radio on. Just clear your mind, let the peace wash over and invigorate you, and then start anew. –Fiona Flores Watson

My motto for the year is, “get up to something and get on with it.” No more lingering about after the alarm bell has sounded. Greet each day with the promise that you will live it in action and with intention. If you’re going to write a book, save the world, start a project, trim your thighs, quit smoking, get more exercise, find yourself, so on and so forth – just get on with it already! Time’s a wasting. –K. Emily Bond

Be intentional so that you can bring passion and creativity into everything that you do. And of course, as my mother says: celebrate often. –Anna Brones

For 2012, I hope to continue my ongoing pursuit of doing a better job of being present. “Just this, just this, this room where we are. Pay attention to that. Pay attention to who’s there, pay attention to what isn’t known there, pay attention to what is known there, pay attention to what everyone is thinking and feeling, what you’re doing there, and pay attention. Pay attention.” – W.S. Merwin, The Buddha –Scott Adelson

I heard this acronym the other day that I keep saying to myself. Hope – h- help, o-other, p-people, e- everyday. I’d like to try to live up to this in 2012! Happy new year! –Sofie Sausser

Forget resolutions, just promise yourself that you’re going to do one big thing that will make your life happier. The details of that goal might change every single month, and all the better, as long as you ultimately accomplish something good. Last year, for me, was all about letting go of expectations and this year I’m committing to being more active in every way: getting outdoors more often, starting more creative projects, being more involved in the community and just generally becoming more present and engaged. –Stephanie Rogers

I’d like to continue lurching into adulthood, I suppose. Be on time to all things? Also, I vow to spend more time on the Internet. –Mallory Ortberg

Get things wrong. Screw up on a regular basis. Why? Because it’s the only road to wisdom, and the only way to learn something deep enough to sink into your habitual DNA. Also? It’s embarrassing. So get it out the way, quick. –Mike Sowden

“The cure for the ill is not to sit still or browse with a book by the fire; but to take a large hoe and a shovel also, and dig till you gently perspire.” –Kipling. I resolve to dig into the soil in 2012 and become a healthy gardener, hoping the Kipling path will let me not only heal but also heal others along the way. –Luanne Bradley

Lay down on the earth every chance you can, go barefoot outdoors as much as possible, and spend time in nature to keep your mind in order. –Abigail Wick

At the beginning of a new year, I used to list things I wanted to improve or accomplish during the year. I always kept my list secret, but it often included simple things like I should start exercising or touch up my English. But I also had more drastic goals such as quitting my job and start working on something totally different. During the year the list was tucked away and almost forgotten. In the beginning of the following year when it was time to make a new list, the old list was read. I was always amazed how many things from the list I actually fulfilled. –Johanna Kindvall

Erica Jong said: “Fling yourself in the flow. Don’t be afraid. The whole logic of the universe is contained in daring.” –Jane F. King Doe

Image: kevin dooley

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At this time of year, I used to line up all my New Year’s Resolutions. But these days, it’s easy. I’ve only got one, and it goes as follows:

I am never going to try to stick to a New Year’s Resolution ever again. (Except this one).

On December 31st, New Year’s Resolutions seem like such a terrific idea. It’s a 2,000 year old tradition to take this time to look backwards and forwards (not simultaneously, you’ll do yourself an injury), and it seems to have arisen from Janus, a mythological early Roman king that became the double-faced god of transition and lent his name to the first month of the Roman year, Januarius. At the beginning of this month, citizens exchanged gifts, reflected on their lives thus far, and resolved to be a better member of the Empire next year. (Easy as I-II-III). Today, we’re still doing something similar.

The theory is fine. The problem is how.

The statistics don’t paint a rosy picture. A recent study by the University of Hertfordshire found that of the roughly 1,500 people in a sample of 3,000 who believed they would keep to their Resolutions, less than 400 managed to do so. The study concluded that it was vital to set specific, achievable goals (and to not leave it until New Year’s Eve to decide what those Resolutions would be).

Personal journey time. It’s 1993, and thanks to a slovenly lifestyle and a diet I’m too ashamed to list here, I’m very unhealthy and somewhat overweight. I dread New Year, because it follows the festival of Yuletide self-indulgence when the “rules” (whatever they were) don’t apply. People rarely see my face at Christmas, because it’s obscured by food. As the New Year approaches, faced with the annual ceremony of whittling a new hole on my leather belt and a mirror that was telling me what I already knew…I’m aware that I need to change my habits, fast.

So each New Year’s Eve I put together a list of physical and mental standards a Mensa-qualified Green Beret would raise an eyebrow at – and usually managed to stick to them for a truly painful week, before abandoning the New Me with a weary shrug of self-disgust.

For many people, their New Year’s Resolutions are whoppingly ambitious revolutions. That’s part of the excitement – a New You – but they fail so often by trying to build Rome in a day (a feat beyond even Janus). The goals of the top ten American resolutions aren’t achievable by flicking a switch in your brain. Human beings are analog, not binary. In every sense, we don’t suddenly change…we evolve.

Twenty years ago, I somehow twigged this. From that point onwards, I stopped trying to reform my habits in one huge stride. Instead, I inched my way to good health in lots of small, sometimes laughably tiny ways. Sometimes I lapsed, and felt bad. But instead of overcompensating to try to catch up, I kept with the small steps. After a while, they because habits, and then second nature – part of me. I didn’t need to apply any effort because they were what I did naturally – which meant I had the time to work on some other aspect of my lifestyle that irked me.

If New Year Resolutions never work for you – try New Year Evolutions instead.

(Image: *SallyM*)

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