10 New Year Resolutions You Can Actually Keep!

It's that time of year again when we're drawing a close on another year and looking forward to what's ahead. And like millions of people out there, I'll probably be making some new year resolutions. All this got me to thinking, however, that I wanted to see something a little different. Sure, I could list the usual resolutions, like losing weight, quitting smoking, quitting drinking, get out of debt, etc. But why not stick to some resolutions that anyone could actually keep? Here is my list of 10 new year resolutions you can actually keep this year:

1. Walk just 10 minutes a day

No, this isn't a weight loss resolution, per se. But it seems that if you talk to most people, they're looking to get a little healthier in one way or another. Walking is one of the very best things you can do for your body, but it's sometimes difficult to work in the time or to get motivated. If you promise yourself to walk only 10 minutes a day, it's better than nothing. It might also get you motivated to keep going and before you know it, you've snuck in some extra exercise. And think of it this way...10 minutes is less than 1% of your day, so how can you feel overwhelmed by that?

2. Treat yourself to one night out a month

Whether the economy has made it tougher for you to get out, or you're a parent with many responsibilities, make it a goal to have at least one night out of fun a month. Why is this an important resolution? Not only is it easy to keep this resolution, but it also helps for your health and sanity. Pick a night to get together with your friends, whether it's a night at the movie theater or a night in to play board games, but pick a night and have some fun and just leave your troubles behind for a short time.

3. Pay off one piece of debt

Most Americans are drowning in debt, whether it's credit cards, student loans, a car payment, or any other number of bills we may have. Instead of resolving to pay off all your debt, which is vague, overwhelming, and much too difficult, pick one debt only to pay off. Imagine the feeling of paying off at least one credit card bill this year and knowing you accomplished something really good for yourself. Just pick the one bill that has been bugging you and concentrate any extra money you have on that one bill.

4. Learn something new

Maybe it's a cliché resolution, but I feel like this one's overlooked lately. Most of us have something or other that they've always wanted to learn, but never have put in the effort to do so. So this year, why not sign up for that local cooking class? What about doing some internet research and learning some basic HTML? Or you could even pick up some CD's and learn another language. Whatever you choose, you'll be helping your mind stay sharp and you might just find a great hobby you never knew you were missing.

5. Get closer to family

Pick a night every couple of weeks to have a family dinner or brunch. This is a good excuse to get together with family that you may not see that often but wish you did. You could make it a new tradition to host a buffet-style dinner once in awhile to get the family together. I know of one friend whose family has 'pizza night' every Wednesday - most of her local family (her parents, her sisters, their children, etc.) get together at a different member's house every Wednesday, chip in to get pizza, and catch up and have a blast.

6. Volunteer

Personally, this is something I would love to have as a resolution. I have always wanted to volunteer, but never quite get around to it. This year, make it a priority to get out there and choose a cause you believe in, and do just one event or spend just one afternoon volunteering. You could spend a day in an animal shelter, sign up for a walk, or help with a food drive.

7. Make a new friend

It doesn't matter if you feel like you have no friends or too many, you can never have enough good people in your life. So this year, why not make a new acquaintance? Strike up a conversation with that fellow mom you constantly see at the grocery store. Talk movies or music with the new co-worker in your building. It doesn't mean you have to exchange best friends bracelets, but it'd be nice to have another person to talk to and share common interests with.

8. Eat more fruits and vegetables

You don't necessarily have to go on some crazy fad diet, but maybe you want to improve your health in baby steps. Just sneaking in one piece of fruit or vegetable a day can make a big impact on how you feel, and then it doesn't seem too overwhelming.

9. Clean out the garage (or attic, or closet...)

Got an area of your home that's been bugging you? Spend the entire year cleaning up that one spot. It's best to concentrate on one area instead of promising yourself to clean the 'whole house'. Just spend a little time each week clearing out a little bit of clutter, and before you know it, you'll have accomplished something that's been bugging you. And who knows, if you get motivated enough by it, maybe you'll attack another area in your house.

10. Establish a healthy savings account

With things being so unstable in our economy and job market, many Americans are realizing that they have no savings in case of an emergency. It's a scary thought to not have a back-up plan, but it might be even more daunting to think about how much you should have in savings. However, if you make this a new year resolution, you can plan it out quite well ahead of time. Figure out how much you would want in your savings (a good rule of thumb is to have 6 months of living expenses) and figure out how much you'd need to deposit each week in order to reach that amount by the end of the year. Once you have a set figure in mind, it will be easy to follow your plan and you can count on reaching your goal by the end of the year.

With a little imagination and creativity, you can come up with your own tailored list of new year resolutions you can actually keep. Just remember to have fun and be kind to yourself, because even if you don't accomplish all your resolutions, at least you're thinking of trying to improve your life in some way. Happy New Year!