Kritika ManchandaStepping into the New Year with zeal and enthusiasm is a good thing, but keeping up the spirits to continue with your resolutions is something else. Every year we make resolutions and let’s be real, bury them after a few days. So this time we got you something realistic and achievable.
20 things to do in 2017 for happiness
- De-clutter
One of the main things to do in 2017 is to de-clutter – physically, emotionally, and mentally. There is so much around us, we need to sort it out, sieve it and only keep what is necessary.
Start by sorting out your closets, drawers, relations and finally your emotions; it is needed for a good and healthy start to the year. You don’t need any kind of negativity following you through the year.
- Be patient
In the fast paced life of today patience is one virtue that we are slowly losing touch with. This year we all should try and be a little more patient. Calm yourself, assess the situation, and then react. I know it sounds cliché, but it is high time we start valuing patience. Rome wasn’t built in a day, even patience was required there!
- Explore new places
I wanted to write travel more, but then modified it to explore new places. There are times when we want to travel, but circumstances don’t allow us to. Find time to explore new places in and around your city. There is so much to see beyond malls and skyscrapers.
Go discover the ruins of a fort, a heritage baoli, a new café, or that traditional sweet shop and find joy in small things.
- Be a good listener
This year strive to become a good listener. It’ll be of great help. When people share their thoughts you get a fresh perspective and a new meaning of life. Listen more so that you absorb more and you’ll see how some stories would stay with your forever.
- Learn something new
Learning something new is such an encouragement. This year try and learn something new to feel happier. It can be a skill – learn to swim, or learn to drive; it can be learning a new musical instrument – the mighty drums or the humble violin, or the ultimate challenge – learn a new language!
- Be healthier
It is not about size zero or washboard abs, it is about adopting a healthy lifestyle. Eat healthy, go for a run or swim, do yoga, cycling or whatever you like, and just take care of yourself. And by being healthy we mean both, physical and mental health.
- Invest in family time
Family is the ultimate source of happiness. Take time out to spend with your family. A family vacation, chit-chatting with mom over a cup of tea, discussing with your children how their day at school was, these things might seem small, but are a great support. At the end of the day, it’s the family that counts.
- Forgive easily
By forgiving you cannot change the past, but you can surely make a huge change for the future. Forgive easily and let off the burden from your heart. A lot of people say that we cannot forgive, so for them we’d suggest forgive easily but don’t forget. Make peace with yourself and others. Don’t burn yourself for those who don’t matter or seem to care.
- Pamper yourself
We all work so hard to achieve our dreams and goals and sometimes we forget to take care of ourselves. In 2017, pledge to pamper yourself. Indulge in a spa session, pamper yourself with a hair spa or spoil yourself with a solo holiday, it is all about rewarding yourself and encouraging to do better. Love yourself wisely for you are your best friend.
- Spend wisely
Splurging once a while is a good idea, but spending wisely is a great choice. Save for your future, do wise investments, buy an insurance for yourself and your loved ones. This will not keep problems at bay, but will certainly make you worry a little less about the finances in times of trouble.
- Maintain positivity
Maintaining a positive outlook towards life can change the way you live. We all face tragedies and adversities in life, but facing them with a positive mindset needs a lot of courage. Try not to lost faith and believe that everything happens for good.
I know it is easier said than done, but it does make a difference and I am saying this with personal experience.
- Social media detox
It is correct to say that social media has taken over our lives completely. And in 2017 we all need to detoxify. Take a break from social media and enjoy the real connection.
Trust me it’ll be difficult, but set realistic goals so that you can achieve them. Social-media detox is much needed to clear your mind and allowing it wander on a path free of peer pressure.
- Invest in human relationships
Value human relationships, before it is too late to realize. Call that long lost friend, let go of the ego, spend quality time with loved ones and respect the presence of your loved ones around you. Not everyone is lucky to have a family, and if you have it cherish the bonds.
- Makeover
Getting a makeover done is next on the list. Try something simple like a haircut or sporting a new shade of lipstick, and if you are the daredevil type then a bold makeover can be your cup of tea – go blonde, or get a very short mane. The idea is to do something out of your comfort zone and experimenting with style. Our editor Tanya, chopped her hair from waist length to a super short bob two years back and turned her life into a different colour.
“A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life.” ― Coco Chanel
- Do good deeds
Think about a charity close to your heart and do something for that organisation. It is not just financial support that these NGOs are looking for, they crave for human touch. Spend time at an old-age home or spend your weekends at an orphanage to make them feel happy and make yourself feel happier. Nothing else, start with financial help but start something and keep looking for physical ways to help.
- Adopt a pet
Having a pet is one of the biggest stress busters. This year you should definitely add adopting a pet to your list of to-dos. Getting home a pet is like welcoming a new member and in no time he’ll become your complete life.
Also just in case you cannot adopt a pet or bring them home, try becoming virtual pet parents. You can virtually adopt a pet in one of the shelters around your home.
- Donate blood
This is one thing that you might not think about when talking about things to do in the New Year, but for someone in need it can be a life saviour. Donate blood and feel good about saving someone’s life.
- Gift happiness
Go beyond gifting material things, think about gifting happiness. Like the other day I was going somewhere in a cab and the cab driver was distributing biscuit packs to needy people on traffic signals, a small act but brought a huge smile to their faces.
Show basic courtesy, give the gift of time and presence to your friends and family, and don’t forget to give a thought to those you take for granted. Remember the Thank-You jhappi Munna gives everyone in MunnaBhai MBBS.
- Don’t be a silent bystander
Whether it is domestic violence, child labour, animal cruelty or any other form of injustice, don’t be a silent spectator. Take a stand, raise your voice! Every voice makes a difference and every voice counts.
- Buy something exclusive
Spend on that one special thing that you’ve been eyeing for a while. For someone that special thing can be a new car, while for someone a MAC lipstick can be special. It is all about splurging on yourself and gifting an exquisite goody to yourself.
Tell us which of these are you most excited to do in 2017 and if you have any interesting thing in your to-do list for 2017, do share it with us in the comments section below. Make this year count, come what may!
PS: Pass this on to someone who is struggling in life and would need this. We are all together in this.
Kritika Manchanda
Tanya Sachdev
