We are on the second week of January 2019, how are your resolutions coping up so far? Or perhaps you might be the type of person who now have given up in unrealistic resolutions? Oh come on. You're missing a huge chunk of your life if you don't try something new this year.
Once upon a time, I also got tired of listing new year's resolutions -- because either I might end up frustrated for not being consistent, or I might get bored for being too consistent and everything will be on automatic schedule. But I realized that resolutions aren't made to make us perfect, but to give us directions on what to do next -- whether we accomplish it or not. Something to look forward to. Something to aspire of. Something to learn from.
It's all about neuroplasticity! Remember in your 8th year Biology class? We were taught that human brain is composed of a massive network of neurons. These neurons accept input such as hearing, touch, and vision, convert it into electrical and chemical signals to fire up information to other millions of neurons, thus controlling our muscles, skin, and glands, for instance. The more we learn something new, the more structured and detailed our neural network gets. In short, the more we become a better human being capable of doing a lot of things!
Below, I listed some of my ideas to add into your resolutions this 2019. I know, I know! It's a long list. But hey! Don't do them all at once, or else you might burn out. Do one at a time (per month), celebrate every small accomplishments, and notice how your life perspectives change!
1. Camp out with your "closest" friends or families
I say "closest" because camping especially at night should make you feel safe and warm. You don't want to camp out with some random people you just met along the trail and feel at home right away. Camping brings you closer to the people you love. You share the deepest secrets you have. You think about future plans. You do open forums. You play acoustic guitar and let everybody join you in chorus. You reminisce the past. You talk deep. The best part... chicken barbecue and grilled steak. Now tell me you don't like that?
2. Learn to play at least one musical instrument
Music is an applied mathematics! Counting, rhythm, scales, intervals, patterns, symbols, harmonies, time signatures, overtones, pitch, name it --- there is geometry and symmetry in music. Bet you should know that. If you hated math since grade school, I think you should learn to love it by now. Because if not there would be no Christmas carols, no love songs to touch your soul, no gym music to pump up your blood while working out, and no bathroom solos anymore. Learning to play a musical instrument makes your brain sharper by integrating your sensory functions efficiently with each other such as hearing, touch, and sight. You'll be the next Jackie Chan (kidding).
3. Adopt a kitten or a puppy (don't buy from a Pet Store!)
It's tempting to buy a kitten or a puppy from a pet store because we think they are taken care of properly. But in reality there is no way to find out if the store manager is telling the truth or not. Most of these kittens and puppies are bred in mills --- a type of commercial breeding facility where pets live in tight conditions without proper medical attention. Adopting is a better option since you know where your pet comes from as well as its health condition. With a pet at your house, there will be an improvement in your mental and social being, as human and animal interaction has a therapeutic effect according to Ingrid Collins. They also act as cute companions that relieve stress.
4. Invest in your health with fruits and vegetables
Last night, I head out to the store to buy fruits. I only spent 20 Saudi riyals ($5) for half-kilo stringed beans, 5 pieces of banana, 3 medium-sized tomatoes, 100-gram lettuce, and 3 pieces of orange! 20 riyals could be spent for 2 cans of corned beef, as well. But I chose the healthier option. Strange! Why is a healthier diet "cheaper" than foods with preservatives? Why do some of us prefer to buy medicines for cough, headache, and colds for almost twice the price if we could get the "natural medicine" for half the price and double the quantity? Do your economics, bro. This 2019, invest in your health the natural way. It would save your life, and your pocket, too.
5. Document your child's growth through candid portraits
Seriously, you gotta put to work those fancy digital camera and high-end smartphone of yours! Thanks to technology, we can now take a snapshot of our everyday living. This applies most especially to your kids, if you're a parent. They only become infants and children once. Memories of them while innocent and cute are a treasure to keep when you grow old and when they step out of your house to build their own family, too. If you need a hand, I could help you out. Book my photoshoot service online here. But as of this time, I am only limited to Jeddah, KSA clients only.
6. Go outdoors on a regular basis
According to the Harvard Health Letter, outdoor activity helps in the production of Vitamin D in your body. The sunlight hitting your skin initiates the process -- with liver and kidneys involved. Take note, Vitamin D is not found in the sunlight! It is biologically produced inside your body through the help of the sunlight. So what's up with this Vitamin D? FYI, "epidemiologic studies are suggesting it may have protective effects against everything from osteoporosis to cancer to depression to heart attacks and stroke". So, instead of looking through bricks and ceilings of your house the whole day, get out there and get some FREE healthy treatments from our God-given nature!
7. Spend time with your family, please! Especially your kids
I spent my childhood days without my biological father around, while my mom was working in Japan. They split when I was 1-year old. Although I had an amazing childhood with my cousins from one province to another almost every year, I always longed for my parents to come home. Every. Single. Day. Dear parents, this is to let you know that as a kid, I didn't remember any material gifts my mom had given me while she was working in Japan. The clearest memory I can narrate is every time she comes back home and play with me, and the days we had food trips outside, and when we strolled around the park. (I am literally crying while typing this) So, what are you waiting for? Grab your children and give them a big, big hug and kisses.
8. No matter how busy you get, bond with your best friends
There is as saying that best friends are the brothers or sisters we never had. I get it. Your life is different now as an adult. Your work schedule becomes tighter as you get promotions and work load. You have kids and a spouse who need your time. But every once in a while, you have to reach out to those people who were with you long before you had what you have now --- your best friends. Spend time with them. Open up. Release your tension and have someone to talk to and ask advice from. Never underestimate depression. It is a disease of loneliness. You might not know it, but it is very possible that you are surrounded by a lot of people and you still get depressed.
9. Take home one of these potted plants now
Potted plant is a space-saving option for plant lovers who usually live in the city with no actual soil to plant ornamental vegetation into. We need fresh air. And the best source we can get it from is the one that breathes out oxygen as its byproduct -- yes the plants! Isn't it amazing how God formed the symbiotic relationship between plants and human beings? The carbon dioxide that we breathe out is the air that they need in order to give us what we need to breathe in. Moreover, green colored leaves relax our eyes from stress and lowers the level of anxiety. When you get one, you have to be responsible for its life, though. Water the plant regularly and expose it to sunlight just as what you would do to yourself to continue living.
10. Conquer one of your fears this year
Crazy stupid challenges are spreading all over the internet now --- the birdbox challenge, the kiki challenge, the random kiss in the park challenge --- that are nothing more than beneficial but fame-driven immaturity. This year, think about your biggest fear or insecurity. It can be more than just conquering fear of heights. (This is just my personal example because I am really afraid of heights) Then face your fear. Do not hide from it. Go through it. If you have physical insecurities, expose it and don't mind what others might call you. This year you have to take charge of your emotion. You cannot control something that scares you. Challenge yourself and see better opportunities coming.