Choose Success in 2020!

6 Resolutions That You Can Enjoy

Despite all of our resolve, our New Year's resolutions have a way of fizzling out by the end of January. So why do we keep setting ourselves up for failure? In recent years, the idea of the "anti-resolution" has been on the rise. Whether this means setting more reasonable goals or simply embracing one's weaknesses, it seems like a step in the right direction. This year, we're trying on some resolutions (or maybe anti resolutions) aimed at helping us feel happier, more successful, and more peaceful.

1. Practice radical self-love

Self-acceptance is a journey. Many of us spend so much time focusing on the things we don't like about ourselves, that we forget to consider all of our excellent qualities. Being proud of who you are does not equal being egocentric. In her book, You Can Heal Your Life, self-love guru Louise Hay presents a simple premise: Our thoughts create our reality. If we learn to view ourselves in the best possible light, we will manifest that ideal.

Brené Brown's The Gifts of Imperfection teaches us to stop focusing on the messages that tell us we are not enough. Brown presents ten guideposts taking us on a spiritual journey to accept—even love—our imperfections.

In The Body is Not an Apology, poet and activist Sonya Renee Taylor preaches the gospel of radical self-love. She invites us to reconnect with our minds and our bodies and celebrate our collective, enduring strength.

2. Do what feels good

Do you hate the gym? Does running feel like pointless torture? Exercise may be an important part of life, but it shouldn't be a painful and miserable endeavor. Too often, we think fitness is about changing the shape of our bodies, rather than feeling healthier, stronger, and more positive. The key is finding something that feels good in your body.

In Every Body Yoga, teacher Jessamyn Stanley challenges stereotypes, showing that yoga isn't about how you look, but how you feel. Great for beginners and experienced yogis alike, this book offers insights and instructions that are body positive and emotionally uplifting.

Behavior expert Michelle Segar has studied the psychological roots of motivation and determined that people simply will not stick with an exercise routine unless it brings them some sort of immediate gratification. Her book No Sweat helps readers broaden their definition of exercise, find pleasure in physical activity, and discover realistic ways to fit it into their lives.

3. Stop dieting

Keto, Paleo, Master Cleanse, Cabbage Soup, South Beach, Atkins... The list goes on and on. This is the time of year when fad diets flare up like rashes promising fast weight loss. But the weight often comes back just as quickly after the diet ends. Many experts advise a different sort of approach involving changing our relationship with food. In Eating Mindfully, psychologist Susan Albers shares working strategies for better long-term eating habits.

Health at Every Size by researcher and body positivity advocate Linda Bacon encourages readers to listen to their own bodies over all others. Her scientifically proven approach advises common sense and trust in your own body's expert guidance.

4. Be less productive

Are you too busy? Duh! Aren't we all? There's something frenzied about our lives these days. Does it have something to do with our smartphones? The relentless presence of social media? It may be hard to pinpoint the reasons for our mania, but experts agree it isn't good for us, leading to higher levels of anxiety and stress. It's important to take some time every day to unplug and allow your mind to breathe.

In the bestselling The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down, Buddhist meditation teacher Haemin Sunim illuminates a path to inner peace and balance with eight essential guideposts, such as relationships with others and compassion toward ourselves.

From Oprah Winfrey, What I Know for Sure shares the lifestyle guru's secrets for living her own best life. This collection of essays offers wise words on tapping into your sources of joy, resilience, and power.

Journaling can be a great way to slow down and process your emotions. In How to Be Happy (Or At Least Less Sad), author and illustrator Lee Crutchley offers supportive, surprising, and engaging prompts that you can use as daily reflection points.

5. Give up guilt

Guilt can be a destructive emotion that keeps us mired in the past. We all make mistakes, but we have to be able to forgive ourselves to move forward! Ummm, easier said than done, right? But it's worth a try!

From therapist and meditation practitioner Christopher Germer, The Mindful Path to Self Compassion offers creative, scientifically grounded strategies for learning to be kind to ourselves, which in turn helps us to be kinder to others.

In Start Where You Are, master meditation teacher Pema Chödrön frames her guide for compassion on 59 essential Buddhist teachings such as "always meditate on whatever provokes resentment."

6. Follow your bliss

Is happiness a choice? Many believe that it is. Despite extreme suffering in their lives, the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu emanate peace and happiness. The Book of Joy, cowritten by these two world leaders, offers an inside look at the keys to their general sense of felicity.

In The Ultimate Happiness Prescription, bestselling author Deepak Chopra shows us that when it comes to perceived happiness, we are often looking at the wrong measures, i.e. external things like wealth and popularity. He reveals seven keys to uncovering the secrets of joy even in the most difficult times.

What books have helped you to find better balance? Let us know here or on social media. You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for daily book recommendations, literary tidbits, and more.

Read more by Ashly Moore Sheldon