Almost two months into the year, the thrill of resolutions has worn off. The end of February is when the first dip in dedication to resolutions tend to happen.

My resolutions list is a short one for 2020. Losing weight, reuniting with friends and being the best mom that I can be are the goals I set for this year. So far so good on two of three of my goals. Reuniting with friends is proving to be the hardest of them all. Like anything else, it requires funds and time that I don’t have access to at the moment.

Being a single mom, I’m not able to pick up and go like how I used to. I thought I would be able to jump back into the life I had before being pregnant, but 2020 is showing me how impossible that really is. Instead of giving up on my resolution, I’ve decided to adjust it to my circumstances.

When it comes to making resolutions, people tend to surpass doable tasks and jump headfirst in with unrealistic goals. I did that when I thought I could go back to a social life without being a mom affecting that. Weight goals are a big resolution goal for many people. You can tell by the influx of people that sign up for gym memberships at the beginning of the year. But according to Glofox, 14 % of new members quit showing up to the gym by the end of February.

Being a single mom, I’m not able to pick up and go like how I used to. I thought I would be able to jump back into the life I had before being pregnant, but 2020 is showing me how impossible that really is.

Halfway through the year is when people realize how much time they let pass without dedicating themselves. Around July and August is when that second wind comes through. People remember those goals and try to finish the year out strong.

Losing motivation and not seeing results fast enough are two of the main reasons why new members drop out. This is actually a common theme for other resolutions failing.

People like Shanice Clarke decided to make resolutions that weren’t demanding and unrealistic. Instead of having losing weight on her list, she wrote down “make healthier decisions.”

Clarke has stuck to her guns with this one as she chose to transition into a vegan diet. She works out several days out of the week and has increased her water intake. At the end of the year, Clarke will be able to cross this off of her list as complete. She didn’t sign up for a gym membership under the pressure to lose a certain amount of weight in a time restraint. Making healthier decisions will do much more. It will teach her discipline, give her time to meditate and focus, lose weight and so much more. She also chose instead of travel more to “have new experiences.”

Halfway through the year is when people realize how much time they let pass without dedicating themselves.

As a full time nursing major with a job, her time isn’t as freed up as she would like. Traveling is definitely something she loves to do. But with “have new experiences”, she opens herself up for more opportunities. She has kept true to her goal by trying new restaurants in the area she lives in among other things.

Clarke’s advice was to not be so strict with the resolutions.

You have a big picture of what you want your life to look like at the end of the year. Try to make it fun and doable to your circumstances. Don’t look at someone else’s list.