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By Carolyn Worthington, publisher, Healthy Aging®

It’s that time of year again. Time to make resolutions that hopefully this time, maybe this time, you will keep. Looking back over 2018 my resolutions have been inspired by many of the articles we have published here at Healthy Aging®.

Maybe some of these will inspire you too to make resolutions that you can keep.

Here are some of mine … share yours via our Facebook or Twitter social media platforms!

I promise myself to:

1. Volunteer

In this world of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest, it’s easy to get caught up in the “world is all about me” syndrome. Bragging about accomplishments, children, grandchildren has become the norm today particularly thanks to social media.

Many people need a little reminder that giving back or giving to others is just as important to a healthy lifestyle as fulfilling their own dreams, checking off bucket list items and bragging about them.

Volunteering is good for the soul. Giving to others can have a positive impact on your own well-being from relieving stress, depression and loneliness.

So, my first resolution is to volunteer more this year. See this article on volunteering to help you volunteer too: Why Volunteering is Good for the Soul.

2. Travel

I will take at least one trip this year to expand my mind or try a new skill. Hmmm … what could that be? Maybe a cooking class in Italy. A volunteer vacation to help children in a third world country or help with the local fauna census in the Seychelles.

High on my list is to do a “Dude Ranch” vacation. One place that is calling to me is Bar W Guest Ranch  in Whitefish, Montana. I love the idea of glamping at the ranch. The ranch offers a “glamping tent” they say is no “ordinary pup tent.” I’m dreaming of waking up in a pasture filled with wildflowers and horses grazing nearby.

Another summer trip I would like to take would be to Mallorca, Spain where I can either bring my bike or rent one there and cruise around on one of the many bicycle paths along the beach outside of Palma. I’ll bring my paddock boots and half chaps and go horseback riding at Rancho Jaume on the east coast near Porto Petro.

Where shall I stay? Most likely the 5-star Iberostar Grand Portals Nous. Can’t wait to sip Dom Perignon® in the Champagne Bar overlooking the sea after enjoying the offerings of the spa.

3. Lie about my age

I’ve decided that age is just a number and my resolution is to keep that belief in 2019. To help you decide if this is a resolution for you, see this recent article we published on the decision: To Tell or Not to Tell 

4. Go to the gym

I’m promising myself to renew my gym membership and go at least three times a week. Need motivation, see this article we published recently on why you should add that to your resolution list, Three Reasons Why Joining a Gym Could Be Your Most Important New Year’s Resolution.

5. Spice up weeknight family menus

I love to cook and on my list of resolutions is to try more new recipes and get out of the rut of having the same basic menu week after week. See our article on new cookbooks for ideas.

6. Add more veggies to my diet

Although I probably will not vow to be a complete vegetarian, I will make a resolution to add more vegetables to my diet. Our article on going vegetarian might inspire you.

7. Social side

I will plan more get-togethers with friends and family. I’ll try some of the new recipes we published this year like the pocket pies  or this yummy Apple, Fennel and Kohlrabi Salad with Shaved Manchego and Candied Walnuts.

For entertaining, I will add this Roasted Tomato and Spinach Tart and Crispy Pear Cobbler and to my repertoire that I picked up from this Recipes for Health and Warmth article we published recently.

8. Finance

If my kids were still in college, I would add “not going broke” over college tuition to my resolution list. Maybe this article will help you, tips for baby boomers to avoid going bust on their kid’s student loans. 

9. Try something new

This one combines social, mental and physical. I am inspired by this article, Return to the Dance Floor  to brush up on my dancing skills so I don’t look like someone out of the 60’s at our next dancing event!

10. Continue to follow my passions

I will continue to follow my passion and be positive about life, shedding myself of naysayers and those who focus on the perils of growing older.

For me, family comes first. A personal passion is music. By the way, did you know that there are health benefits to playing an instrument? See this article and you might just start a little later in life too: You are never too old to start.

My resolutions include continuing on with piano lessons, riding horses, cycling and make every effort to inspire others to follow or find their passion in life. While I will never play at Carnegie Hall, compete in the Olympics or the Tour de France, my passions and hobbies make me happy and keep me going.

These are my resolutions. What are yours?