10 New Year's Resolutions for Black Women

by Dalila Thomas

There are just a few days left in 2014, so many of us have already turned our sights on the New Year. While many people criticize New Year’s Resolutions, it is natural to reflect upon the previous year and to have general hopes or goals for the year ahead. And so often, Black women are discouraged from focusing on their own dreams and wellbeing. Thus, we’ve created a list of “resolutions” that every Black woman should think about adopting this year, as a way of affirming our self-worth.

1. Invest in yourself.

Each and every year, we all pledge to save more money. But no matter your financial situation, the struggle can be all too real. Well, this year, stay true to your resolution of saving your personal revenue. One of the best ways to do so is to get the money taken out of your account automatically. It’s also important to invest in experiences, not materials. Having not been out of the country, my Christmas gift to myself was getting my passport. Make 2015 the year of using your money wisely, and investing in experiences that are priceless.

2. Learn to say no.

Being a woman can be rough. We work, we parent, we befriend, we nurture, and we say yes… a lot. However, sometimes we need to say no, and 2015 is the year for that. Whether you’re saying “finito” to a toxic friendship or declining to do certain things because you’re just not feeling them, feel free to say no whenever you want. What’s the worst that can happen? YOU being happy? Oh, okay.

3. Get in the Spirit(ual).

I’m not going to preach or go in depth about worship, but whomever you praise, or however you balance your psyche, make it a routine do it regularly in 2015. Whether you pray, meditate, worship, practice mindfulness or gratitude—focusing on your inner wellbeing is always good for the soul.

4. Read more books. 

If you’re not an avid reader, 2015 is the time. There’s nothing more stimulating than a good book. Not only are you gaining knowledge, but you strengthen your vocabulary when you read. If you say you don’t have time, you’re wrong. Trade in some of the time you spend on social media and watching television to a read chapter or two. Or challenge yourself to get through a certain number of books by the end of the year.

5. Put yourself on a technology time-out.

Log off. We have to log off. Social media rules so much of our lives, it’s not even funny. If need be, give yourself a time limit, a curfew of when you need to log out off your social media accounts each night. Try it out for a week. You’d be surprised how much more productive you can be.

6. Get your body right.

It may be the most cliché of resolutions, but diet and exercise are a must. Challenge yourself to workout 2-3 times a week, add some veggies and tons of water to your diet, get adequate rest. You will see your energy levels and moods change. Trust me, there’s no better time than the present, ladies. The older we get, the harder it is to adopt and stick to new habits. Especially difficult ones.

7. Do a career assessment.

I’m not talking about those cliché reviews you have to turn in to HR at the end of the year. I’m saying really dig deep. Make some specific professional goals that you want to meet this year, and give yourself deadlines. Then put in the work to allow these goals to manifest.

8. Create a bucket list.

If you don’t have one already, make one. Being a professional a good friend, a mother—all of these things are great, but they consume so much of our time. This year, take the time to figure out what you want to do. Make a list of those things, and start checking them off.

9. Reconnect with family and loved ones. 

Make some time to for your family. Be it your immediate or extended loved ones. Set out time on the weekend to hang at the park, or call a relative you haven’t seen since the last holiday. Whatever you do, just make time.

10. Stop comparing yourself to others.

It can be very easy to compare your life to someone else’s, but what are you really accomplishing with that? Your life should be about your journey. Not your life compared to your sister’s, or your friend’s, or your mother’s. Yours. If everyone was supposed to do and accomplish all the same things at the same time, that would make for a pretty boring world, wouldn’t it?

Here’s to wishing you peace and prosperity in 2015!

Photo credit: Shutterstock

Dalila Thomas is a regular contributor at For Harriet.