Happy March ladies and gents! It is the start of a new month, warmer weather will surely be upon us, and all of the seasonal depression can go away soon too…seriously. Lol. Today is the first Sunday during Lent, and Lent is when people choose to give up some sort of food or bad habit in efforts to make positive changes in their lives. I don’t know about you, but giving up peanut butter just does not seem like a fun way to make a “positive change” in my life. While listening about the importance of building willpower in Church, I was thinking, “My will power is pretty damn strong, how about I try adding new things to my daily routine rather than take things out of it.” So if you are someone who is not participating in lent but would like to do something so they do not feel guilty about it, here is a list of things you can do, one each day of this month, in efforts to incorporate new ideas and positive behaviors into your life.
- Try swapping coffee for green tea or another herbal tea.
- Read a scholarly article about a topic you are not very knowledgeable about.
- Listen to a new song from an artist you’ve never heard of.
- If you’ve never listened to a podcast, listen to one. If you listen to podcasts, find a new one.
- Do a 10-minute meditation session one morning on the Calm app. (They have a free trial, don’t worry)
- Substitute Stevia for sugar in all of your drinks for a day.
- Read a famous poem from someone who is no longer with us. (ex. “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, published January 1892)
- Go to bed early one night and rise early the next day.
- Write a letter to a friend or family member you haven’t spoken to in a while. A text message does NOT count, I’m talking about actually going to the dollar store, buying stationery, and MAILING someone a card. (Wow, snail-mail is still a thing?)
- Do a random act of kindness for a stranger.
- Color a page, or two, out of a coloring book. Or draw a picture.
- If you are not a candle person, try buying and lighting a candle.
- Measure out and drink one gallon of water in a day.
- Comment something positive on a random person’s post. Spreading kind messages only puts out good vibes into thee atmosphere.
- Watch one of your parent’s favorite movies.
- Teach yourself to make a new dish for dinner.
- Say hello to a neighbor you don’t normally talk to.
- Try a new form of exercise, whether it be yoga, pilates, or cycling.
- Pray for a person that has done you wrong. (and don’t pray that they get the Coronavirus and die, pray for their health, safety or that they are turning a new cheek and becoming a better person).
- Blast your favorite song in the house and dance around like no one is watching.
- Let someone else pick out your outfit for the day. It can be interesting to find out what others think looks good on you as opposed to just guessing. They may introduce you to a style you’ve never tried before but like.
- Attend a sports or community event you have never been to before.
- Write a journal entry. This can be to a prompt you find online or about how your day was, just sit down in silence and write for 10 to 15 minutes.
- If you are single, ask out a person you are wanting to go out with. Just bite the bullet and take a chance. If you are in a relationship, come up with a really romantic and creative date for your partner and you to share and surprise them.
- Smile and say hello to every person you encounter, whether you know them or not.
- Grab a friend and make/build something with your hands. Get creative. You can find a DIY home project on Pinterest or even attend a pottery class and build something.
- Declutter/organize an area of your house. If you have more time, try taking on a bigger project like deep-cleaning your room. If you have an hour of free time, try organizing your closet.
- Donate. Whether it’s to a charity of choice online, taking a bag of old clothes to good will or donating blood, find a way to give back.
- Listen to a motivational speaker.
- Every time you use the restroom, say something positive about yourself in the mirror, also called “positive affirmations.” Pick something new each time and don’t be shy about it. Tell yourself one thing you love about you and smile.
- Take yourself on a date. Sometimes we learn the most about ourselves when we are alone in our own thoughts. Don’t wait for a friend to go see the movie you always wanted to see or try the new ice cream shop that just opened up down the street. You can even go to your favorite places and just reminisce on the memories and understand the way they’ve shaped who you are today and how they make you see the world.
I hope you find some of these interesting and that they make or promote a positive change in your life. If you find you like some of these, try doing them a second day. Or third. It’s been suggested that healthy habits are formed from doing them for 21 days, not just once.
