Keeping New Year''s Resolutions on the Road

Making a New Year's Resolution can be a fun way to get inspired for the New Year. Many people embrace the “new year, new me” mentality and mark the New Year as a day to start a new change. Resolutions can include eating healthier, reading more often, accomplishing financial goals, traveling more, and so many more . Keeping a promise to yourself can be tricky, but it can be even harder while RVing. Consider any of the following goals or suggestions when making changes to your lifestyle at the start of a new year.

• Try a New Goal
• Be Realistic and Specific
• Make a Plan
• Get What You Need
• Track Your Progress
• Keep a Journal
• Be Kind To Yourself

Try a New Goal

If you are setting New Year’s resolutions, consider choosing ones that you have never chosen before. For motivational reasons, it can be a fresh change that will make you feel more inspired. A new change of pace or new idea can be the perfect jumpstart to a new year. Even just a new take on an old goal can help keep things fresh. For instance, instead of focusing on losing weight, perhaps consider focusing on moving your body more throughout the week or eating more nutritionally-complete meals. Reframing your objective can reframe your entire mindset and help you to come closer to achieving your goals.

Be Realistic and Specific

It’s important to make sure your goal is realistic and attainable. It should not only be something that you can physically do, but also something that will benefit both your financial and mental health, as well. If your goal is to travel more, be sure you have the financial means to do so or you may end up disappointed by the end of the year.

It can also help to be as specific as possible. For instance, instead of just aiming to “travel more,” set a specific destination as your goal so you can, without a doubt, check it off your list. Don’t forget to look for nearby Harvest Hosts locations to help open up more of your travel budget.

Make a Plan

No matter what your resolution is, it will require a plan. This can include steps such as setting financial milestones, creating grocery lists that align with your healthy-eating goals, planning quarterly trips, or so much more. If you are wanting to travel to a specific location, begin looking at Harvest Hosts locations and campground reservations to ensure you always have a place to stay. Don’t forget about Boondockers Welcome locations, as well!

Get What You Need

Due to lack of space, this can be one of the hardest parts when it comes to keeping New Year’s resolutions in an RV. For instance, if your goal is to work out more, then you may need to purchase workout equipment or a gym membership. If that’s your goal, then check out our blog post on staying fit on the road. If you’d like to spend more time reading, it may be wise to invest in a kindle or e-reader, versus purchasing more books, due to lack of space. Speaking of space, organizing your RV can be a great New Years Resolution or even a spring cleaning task. Check out our article on hacks for organizing your RV.

Track Your Progress

Depending on what your goal is, it can be helpful to track your overall progress. This can be done through a calendar, an app, or a mental checklist. Be sure to focus on the small wins you make along the way towards reaching your end goal. That can also help keep up the motivation and morale.

Keep a Journal

Journaling is a fantastic self-reflection tool. It’s best used daily, and it can help you keep track of your progress, but also what else is going on. Was there a particular reason you couldn’t reach your goal today? What things are happening that are making this easier or more difficult for you? How do you feel your progress is going? How is reaching your milestones making you feel? These are some great questions to ask yourself. Journaling can be completed in a notebook, on a computer or tablet, or on a phone. A simple note app can also work, or you can invest in an actual journal app.

Be Kind to Yourself

Goals are important, but being kind to yourself is the most important aspect here. Making new changes can be tough, especially if you’re undoing previous bad habits that you have developed. No one is perfect, and you’re more likely to achieve your goals and stick to your resolution without applying tons of excess pressure to yourself. Goals can be important for self-improvement, or even just for fun. Either way, don’t go too hard on yourself, and be sure to enjoy the journey wherever you can.

“The same boiling water that softens the potato, hardens the egg.” -Anonymous

Starting off the New Year with resolutions for the next year is a great way to grow as an individual. Your personal resolution can be anything you desire, RV-related or not. Be sure to follow these tips to stay motivated to reach your 2022 goals! Don’t forget to be kind to yourself, not just with resolutions, but with everything you do.