Hey, whats’s up, hello! The end of the year is near: You begin telling yourself your ice-cream days are over, and that you’ll limit your gym excuses to near-death experiences. Yoga, your mouth says, but your heart still lingers for the couch. The snow starts to fall and you keep re-downloading the Dominos app on your phone. The struggle has never been realer.
New Years Resolutions don’t need to be a lost cause. Last year, my sister’s New Years Resolution was to get fit. Chick started “Bikini Body Guide” Kayla Itsines the next week; voila a year later she has abs. Your goals are only a lost cause if you believe they are. Now lets get better.
1.) listen to Podcasts.
Picture your morning commute: scrolling through Instagram until your eyes are dry. You find an article on Donald Trump on your newsfeed that you read, because it’s just kinda there. You’re too tired to do anything drastically productive and just want to relax, try learning something new instead. Podcasts baby, they are so hip. I asked around, and these were some that came highly recommended. My FB friends are so trendy.
podcast suggestions:
Monocycle: Leandra Medine (of Man Repeller) is a goddess in the editorial world. She exposes the humor in couture, and if you identify as a fashion lovin’ feminist, you will love her too. (also checkout Oh Boy)
Serial: Calling all Olivia Benson wannabes, this is the podcast that brings all the non-podcasters to the yard. Do you like murder shows? Obviously. Do you like distractions on your commute? Obviously. Are you going to start Serial tomorrow? Of course.
This American Life: The most popular of all Podcasts, I was told to download the app. Paid $2.99 for it, but it came highly recommended, I’m looking forward to giving it a shot. You heard of Public Radio? This is it.
#GIRLBOSS Radio: If a career in fashion (or even entrepreneurship) is something you’re even remotely interested in, Sophia Amoruso is a name you should know. The 31 year old newly wed + founder of widely popular Nasty Gal may not share my taste pallet, but damn, her success is admirable.
Others that came recommended: The Friend Zone, That Millennial Life (with Joe Kohle), Salt of The Earth, Lady Lovin’ (with Lo Bosworth), Women of the Hour (Lena Dunham + Buzzfeed), Guy’s We F*cked, Death, Sex, & Money (WNYC), Invisibilia, Lore, Fresh Air (WHYY), Strangers, The Moth, Freakonomics, WTF (Marc Mason), Monday Morning Podcast (Bill Burr), Pain Killer Already, Ted Radio Hour, Planet Money, Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me, The Joe Rogan Experience, Home of the Brave, Love + Radio, Hardcore History (Dan Carlin), 99% Invisible, The Flop House, Thinking Sideways, Bald Move Network, Pop Culture Happy Hour.
2.) HOST A DINNER PARTY
Pinterest makes life easy. Head to Trader Joe’s for your apps + desert, but channel in your inner Martha Stewart for the main course. Send out formal invitations (or a proper e-mail will do), have a menu ready, and get your adult on. Flowers aren’t expensive and make every table look prettier. Your meal should be better than something someone could have made at home, so put in the proper prep work. Also– a game always adds a nice touch. As long as your friends aren’t super sensitive, I’d suggest Cards Against Humanity.
A Reddit User Responded:
“Make sure your guests have at least one common thread and that’s it’s not exlovers or baby-daddy’s or such.”
3.) Get back on twitter
A few years ago we saw the great pilgrimage to Instagram. If people had something clever to say, there was a meme on @fuckjerry to repost. Fast forward to 2015 and we’re starting to feel as though Instagram requires too much effort. Twitter is more candid, but not only that– the information shared is a lot more important than the selfie queen’s newest close-up. The fastest way to spread news is via twitter, and even if you don’t tweet– it’s still a critical platform to pay attention to. Also, the twitter community is super interactive & i’ll be waiting for you.
follow suggestions:
@ChrissyTeigen, @MicNews, @Vice, @NYtimesKrugman, @MarkRuffalo, @AnnaBroges, @lkherman, @WWD, @MindyKaling, @MaraWritesStuff (aka Matilda Y’all), @AnnaBreslaw, @BBC, @theguardian, @Lindzeta, @robfee, @MattBellassai, @Molly_Kats, @MrZack123, @Thomas_violence, @POTUS,
4.) binge documentaries
We know you love Netflix/Hulu/Amazon, and its that time of the year where you can *shamelessly* sit around watching TV all day. While it’s easy to spend the winter months watching re-runs of The Office, the same subscription opens up a whole world of knowledge.
documentary suggestions:
Hot Girls Wanted: Produced by Rashida Jones, this documentary has absolutely terrible reviews on Netflix, but everyone should watch it. Following amateur porn stars in their first few months in the industry, Hot Girls Wanted is an uncensored look at what goes into “what you’re into.” I’ve seen in 3 times and it’s never less shocking. You’ll never watch porn the same again, but that’s probably a good thing.
Freakonomics: Based on Chad Troutwine’s studies on understanding people by looking at their incentives, the documentary examines different aspects of societal behavior and how they connect to one another. Prepare to be mind blown.
This is Life: This CNN documentary series with Lisa Ling is addicting. 2 seasons in, I’ve had countless people text me to make sure that it’s something I watch. Prepare to get an unbiased look on American subcultures: from Gay Rodeo, to Salt Lake City’s prescription drug problem.
Making a Murderer: The internet is going cray over the recent release of Making a Murderer on Netflix. #StevenAvery is a man who served 18 years for a rape he did not commit, and was charged in 2005 for a murder he most likely did not do. Hacktivist group Anonymous recently announced that they are going to help expose the corruption in his case. Move it to the top of your to-watch list.
5.) get invested in politics
Straight up: it’s completely irresponsible to not have an understanding of what is going on in U.S politics right now. Next year is an election year, and there are a lot of things we need to be concerned about. It may seem overwhelming, and it’s near impossible to fully understand everything that’s going on right now. However, the leading candidate from the Republican party is suggesting the great wall of Mexico, banning Muslims from entering the US, and revoking citizenship from immigrant born Americans. It isn’t a joke anymore, and millennials are starting to realize that. Women’s rights, civil rights, and the overall wellbeing of the middle class is at stake. Inform yourselves.
- Unfollow websites that make your brain rot, or anyone that covers Kylie Jenner’s beauty transformation.
- Follow publications that will give you an unbiased report on current events: BBC, Politico, Al-Jazeera, The Guardian.
I did this one of my resolutions last year, and I can confidently say I am 200% more politically informed than I was in 2014.
6.) PLAN A TRIP
As the wise Drake said “You only live once: that’s the motto baby YOLO” ~ and it’s true. Mix in some Instagram-induced travel envy, and we have full blown wanderlust. Seeing the world isn’t free, but it’s possible to do on the cheap. Websites like Skyscanner help you find the cheapest flights available; I found a one-way ticket to London for $200 which I took in October. Stay in hostels to make friends, and to cook some of your own food, and you’ll be shocked at how much money you can save. Don’t sit still, you’re not getting any younger– and Barcelona is better with your besties.
7.) consume conciously
It isn’t always financially plausible to shop entirely ethically, I get it, there isn’t enough pressure on the industry to perform. However, a complete lack of attention to the fashion industry is irresponsible. If you get dressed in the morning, it is your duty to make sure a 5 year old in China didn’t make it. It isn’t easy, but it’s possible. A general rule of thumb: if it costs under $20, it probably came from a sweatshop.
Minimize your footprint: LESS IS MORE. Buy quality, not quantity. Don’t contribute to landfills. Well made clothing has a longer life cycle. Invest in items that the person you want to dress like will wear. Your personal style will evolve, and buying clothes that last will help you construct your perfect wardrobe over time.
Open your eyes: Have y’all heard of Rick Santorum (presidential nominee on the GOP)? Richard Hayne, CEO of Urban Outfitters, is one of his most prominent supporters? Do you believe in women’s rights? Do you believe in same-sex marriage? We live in a country of capitalism, and we vote with our purchases.
Invest in a great piece: You don’t buy Chanel because it’s trendy, you buy it because you know your granddaughter is going to go ape-shit some day when you pass it down.
8.) treat your body right
Nobody is making you join cross-fit or begging you to master a headstand. Just stop ‘treating yo’self’ every damn day. If you need that burger, go for it, I bet you deserve it. If you’re going for the second ice-cream sandwich just because your hands are bored, stop that. “The only person who is going to change your physical situation is yourself,” I said while sheepishly eating nachos.
*walked to the kitchen, put back the chips, grabbed some blackberries, eating those now*
9.) have a poppin’ linkedin game
Take a few hours and give your profile a makeover. Connect with people. Eloquently describe your career experience. Your Linkedin is essentially a virtual resume, and you never know who is looking to hire you. Look at people you admire and see how they describe themselves. Pay attention to the language they use, and try to incorporate their verbiage into your personal statement. Don’t lie, but there is nothing wrong with adding a little embellishment.
10.) challenge yourself
If you want to improve your public speaking, go to Toast Masters. If you want to have an unbelievable body, attend freaking gym classes. If you’re a comedian in need for an audience, do an open mic night. If you genuinely want to find a relationship, take your headphones off in public and talk to new people. If you want more stamps in your passport, start planning a Fall trip now.
I don’t know you, I can’t feed you all your resolutions. Do you– just be a better you.
