At the beginning of each year, I manage to convince myself that I’m going to keep us with my New Year’s resolutions. We’ve all been down that road, and we all know how it usually ends. 

There shouldn’t be any shame in admitting that you failed to complete your resolution. According to forbes.com, 80% of all New Year’s resolutions pledged are not seen through every year.

See? You’re not alone. But if you happen to be a part of that 20%… I applaud you.

To be honest, New Year’s resolutions are toxic. They’re often too broad, which makes keeping up with them difficult. You may feel a rush of adrenaline at the start, but soon your resolution turns into an exhausting chore, rather than a significant goal. The pressure just sucks every ounce of motivation you had out of your body. 

Luckily, there are healthier ways to achieve your goals. That’s right, you heard it. We are officially canceling New Year’s resolutions!

I believe a bucket list is a great alternative. Bucket lists are easier to approach with a positive mindset because they tend to be more fun. Instead of making a resolution to lose 20 pounds by the end of the year, have your bucket list include running a couple of 5ks! Just remember to keep it positive because then you’re more likely to want to complete it.

Next up are 30 day challenges. Don’t let the scary number freak you out! These challenges are supposed to be made up of small goals that can be easily accomplished on a daily basis. The important thing to remember is to make sure your goals are realistic! Take it day by day, and soon enough you’ll have met your goal for the month. Then you can set a different goal for the next thirty days, and so on! Keep it simple and achievable.

Those were just a couple of the several alternatives for New Year’s resolutions. My main point is to be kind to yourself; don’t pressure yourself into taking on a goal that you know is unattainable. Simple goals may lead to small victories, but over time those victories will snowball into something to be proud of.