5 New Year's Resolutions for 2017 via DNAMAG

People often make the same mistake when it comes to professing New Year's Resolutions. Most of them are driven by wishful thinking, guilt ridden feelings or self-doubt. Should you want to make a change within yourself, you must first ask yourself what you're already good at and expand on it. Or on the other hand, the thing you suck at the most and want to improve on. Then, ask yourself, aloud if that helps, if it's something that you really believe in and want to change about yourself. If you don't want to do it, then nothing will get done. We can feel you nodding 'yes', because it's true.

1. BE MORE KIND.

Even if you are already #1 in the kindness department, a little more never hurts anyone. There are a million ways to be kind and it doesn't cost you a dime. Tell a co-worker what a good job they're doing these days. Take a friend out for coffee and just catch up (we can all use this, because 2016 was just one big bully session). Go ahead and give out that dollar or three to a homeless person. When you make a point to pay it forward on a daily or weekly basis, it's possible that things in your own life start to look up for the better.

2. GIVE MORE.

Giving isn't just for the holidays. Giving is all year round and the things it can do to the betterment of your soul. If you want to be more charitable, may we recommend our favorite charities. Try to give as little as $10 every month to a beloved cause, everything counts and it makes a difference in people's lives.

3. DATE (LOVE) BETTER ❤️

Well, to steal a quote from Bridget Jones' Diary, we can borrow from her resolution: "will find sensible boyfriend to go out with and not continue to form romantic attachments to any of the following: alcoholics, workaholics, commitment phobics, peeping toms, megalomaniacs, emotional fuckwits or perverts. And especially will not fantasise about a particular person who embodies all these things.."

Yeah, this is always a fun resolution to chase after, because it's not as easy as it sounds. One year I resolved to only date guys that my friends picked out for me. Translation: someone who they thought would be good enough for me. Outcome: never allow other people no matter how much they care about you choose your lover. The only people who can judge true compatibility is you and that suitor. That was a fun year though. But seriously, make it a point to find a significant other who brings out the best parts of you.

4. INTERNAL HOUSEKEEPING

We group this into one big resolution, because it all pertains to the house of you. If you're not in good shape, chances are all the other areas in your life are at a standstill. Get your health in order, be more like Gwyneth if you have to. Take extra good care of yourself, especially if you've been living on Obamacare. The future of health care in America is so uncertain.

Drink water 💧 Hydration is key. Keeps the skin from wrinkling (TRUE), it's what your body needs. Daily water intake has become an easier habit in the last year with all the chic water bottle trends - like this pretty pink one from bkr that's free of phthalates and BPA making it safe for you and the environment.
Moisturize your skin, so that one day you can look as flawless as say Lauren Hutton who is still a total bae at her age. If you're keen on starting on a 10-step skincare routine, this post has some great recommendations.
Listen to new music. By all means, keep the classics for special occasions and moods, but open your mind to more than what's played on the non-stream radio. Discover new artists and support their creativity. We have just the playlist for all your New Years Resolutions.
Learn to love yourself. It's tougher than one assumes it to be, because we should already love ourselves. Yet, these days due to current affairs, it's been too easy to feel so let down and disappointed in ourselves with what if we could've done more. While we try to pull through the sadness and humiliation that 2016 inflicted on us, try to pick one thing that you're grateful for every day. That's it, just try it. Every morning or night, write it down on a calendar or a journal and at least when times feel broken hearted and crazy, you can look back at that day and know that there was one good thing. Being gracious is an important step to loving yourself.

5. Five A Week 💰

Back in college I was taught that putting away $5 every week is a good way to save money. Be it for a rainy day, or investing in your retirement plan. It's still a fantastic idea, no matter at what stage you are in life. Just put aside five dollars one day a week and let it grow.

These resolutions feel more like promises that we can easily make to ourselves for the year to come. They're not cock-eyed vows of keeping an active gym membership, but simple enough things that you can commit to throughout the year.

When in doubt and you're in need of lyrical motivation: