New Year’s resolutions can be much easier to make than to achieve. Sometimes we don’t even know where to begin. We have to step back from the emotional side of setting resolutions and create a step-by-step plan for making them happen. Doing so can lessen anxiety, improve focus, and boost confidence—making success far more likely.
This year, BCPL wants to help you set and keep your New Year’s resolutions! Throughout the month of January, we’ll be exploring some of the most common resolutions people make and sharing how you can use your library resources to reach your goals.
No one is perfect, and the path to keeping your goals won’t be either. If you fall behind, be kind to yourself and get right back on the path. Set your plans, but be flexible, too. And remember, small victories lead to big goals!
RESOLUTION #1
We all have that friend that always seems so calm, cool, and collected. They work full time, maintain perfect relationships with their family, never miss an event, and have it together so well they’d give you the shirt off their back if you needed it.
But here’s a secret you may not know—that exterior is a myth. Nobody lives a completely balanced life. Even the person you think has everything figured out! But we have tips and strategies on how you can feel a little more balanced.
Recommended Solutions:
- Check out a family-themed GO! Tote like Family Classic Games, Family Game Night, Hiking Kentucky, or Jumanji Escape Room!
- Plan some couples’ time with GO! Totes like Date Night, Dungeons & Dragons, or Hunt a Killer: Death at the Dive Bar.
- Take some “me” time with GO! Totes like Knitting & Crochet or Painting with Acrylic.
- Make family time with Family Bingo, Family Bunco, Family Movie Night, Family Storytime & more!
- Join a BCPL book club and/or our 2022 Book Binge challenge!
- Nourish your hobbies and enjoy time with others with similar interests. If you’re crafty, consider attending Crafting with Gayle, Scrapbooking Club, or Twisted Stitches!
- Universal Class
Courses to consider: Building Self-Esteem, How to Be Your Own Life Coach, Pursuing Happiness: Successful Strategies, Relaxation 101, Single Parenting 101, Stress Management, Time Management 101, & more! - Wellness Momentum Facebook | YouTube
Begins January 2nd. Watch Life in Perspective, Grief & Loss, Wellness from the Woods, and more!
RESOLUTION #2
Life is so hectic! You get up, take the kids to school, and go to work, then after a long work day, it’s time to pick the kids up, cook dinner (or let’s be honest, it’s probably take out, right? Who has time to cook?), go to bed, and then do it ALL over again the next day. Where are you supposed to fit in being healthy and active?
According to Harvard University, it’s important to our health to stay active. Physical activity keeps our hearts, bodies, and brains healthy and functioning. We all pretty much understand this, but finding time to exercise, eat better, and take care of our mental and emotional needs is difficult in such a fast-paced society.
Recommended Solutions:
- Check out a health-themed GO! Tote, like Hiking Kentucky or Weight Watchers.
- Chair Yoga
- Nutrition 101
- Universal Class
Courses to consider: Anti-Aging Techniques, Depression Management, Diabetes 101, Drug & Alcohol Abuse 101, Emotional Healing 101, Nutrition 101 & 201, Weight Loss Management, Weight Training 101! - Wellness Momentum Facebook | YouTube
Begins January 2nd. Watch Yoga and more!
RESOLUTION #3
Humans have a deep-seated desire to create, learn, and connect to the world around us. Even if you aren’t an artistically inclined person, everyone has hobbies that give them a sense of satisfaction—whether it’s painting a mountain landscape or collecting back issues of National Geographic. Many of us have hobbies we would love to pick up, but can’t seem to find the chance (or the time) to do so.
Believe it or not, your library is a hotbed of opportunities for you to finally check out that hobby you’ve always been interested in.
Recommended Solutions:
- Check out a themed GO! Tote that speaks to your interests or hobbies (or your kids’ interests!), like Gross Biology; Mars & the Universe; or Louisville for foodies, travelers, and amateur historians.
- Learn an instrument—including voice classes!–with ArtistWorks.
- Learn a new language with our Intro to Sign Language series (begins February 1st) or explore dozens of languages with Mango.
- Learn DIY skills and ALL THE CRAFTS with Creativebug.
- Universal Class
Courses range from business skills to UFO Studies!
RESOLUTION #4:
Money is an unfortunate necessity in life. We need it to pay for simple living necessities, like a home to live in, water to drink, food to eat, and electricity to keep us warm. People also have an innate desire to make memories, and while there are many things you can do that don’t cost money, a lot of things we enjoy do.
But man—keeping your finances in order is HARD! Saving money, budgeting money, investing your money: these are things they don’t always teach you in school. There are methods we can use to keep our finances in order, but without the knowledge, we don’t know where to start.
Recommended Solutions:
- Schedule an appointment with a reference librarian. You can get help with a job search or your résumé, build computer skills to boost your employability, learn to use Excel to create a budget, and more.
- Universal Class
Courses to consider: Accounting & Bookkeeping 101 for Everyone, Business Budgeting 101, Debt Reduction, Investing 101, Investing 201, Investing 301, Personal Finance 101, Retirement Planning, Understanding Insurance Types & more!
Do you have a SPECIFIC resolution in need of solutions?
Contact us, and we’ll offer possible solutions to aid your progress.