New Year’s Resolutions 2016

by Christine Hadley

Welcome to the year 2016, Chicago! I’m sure you’re already sick of hearing the new year, new me comments. It’s a challenge to pick a New Year’s resolution that suits you best. Everyone focuses on hitting the gym and pumping iron but maybe hanging with Hans & Franz isn’t the best resolution for you.

Here are some ways to ring in the New Year, while still embracing change:

Read A New Book Every Month

We forget how enjoyable reading can be until we pick up that book that we can’t put down. Reading can be a liberating adventure for your mind. It can also be just as much of a stress reliever as watching your favorite show on TV. A great challenge would be to read a new book every month or every two, whatever you think will be attainable. Purchasing a new book could add up, so I recommend reaching out to your local library about a membership. If you have kids, this could be a fun thing to do together. There are so many benefits to reading and sometimes it’s just nice to slow down and step away from the technology for a bit.

The Harold Washington Library in downtown Chicago is located at 400 S State St. (312) 747–4300. http://www.chipublib.org/

Take A Class

Learning a new skill is always a fun resolution. If anything, it could boost that awkward first date convo, “what do you do for fun?…. uhh… I rock at Candy Crush.” A wide variety of classes can be found at the Old Town School of Folk Music. They offer everything from guitar to belly dancing. If you’re worried about costs, Old Town offers financial aid and numerous volunteer opportunities. Don’t want to buy an instrument? No worries, Old Town offers different rental options. So pull out the leather pants and get ready to embrace that inner rock star (sweat pants are an acceptable alternative).

Old Town School of Folk Music Locations: 4545 N Lincoln Ave, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, 909 W Armitage Ave. (773) 728–6000. https://www.oldtownschool.org

Museum Bucket List

There are some people who live in this city, who have not been enriched by the amazing museums. There’s an extensive list but some of them include the Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago History Museum, Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Art, Shedd Aquarium, Alder Planetarium, and the Chicago Children’s Museum. Make a resolution to explore the city more. Learning can be fun, right? It’s time to start checking off that Chicago bucket list. Maybe you’re bad at planning dates, there’s 8 different options. You’re welcome! Check online for different discounts.

Volunteering

Make 2016 your year for giving back. Sparing a few hours of your time each month can make all the difference. There are numerous volunteer options around the city of Chicago that include food pantries, soup kitchens, nursing homes, garden work and more. Unsure how to get involved? Check Chicagocares.org for different opportunities. You can binge watch shows on Netflix later. That “are you still watching” message gives off a judgey vibe anyway.

Fitness

The most popular New Year’s resolution is typically to lose weight. We’ve all made that mistake of signing up for a gym membership and only lasting a month, OK, a week. How about challenging yourself by signing up for something such as the Chicago Marathon and then spending the year training for the event? Too much? Start with a 5k. Get yourself organized by looking at Couch to 5k training schedules. Afraid that you won’t stick with it? Sign up with a friend or family member. It’s a lot more enjoyable when you have someone to do it with. Maybe not enjoyable but bearable.

Embrace change, challenge yourself, be adventurous, step out of your comfort zone… be happy!

All in all let’s try to put the phones down and live in the moment more. Happy New Year!!