start the new year fresh

Aromatherapy is for real. Why not try a completely new scent for your home? Or a perfume thats completely outside of what you normally go for? Im usually all over what I call cougar scents musky, spicy things that make me smell like a 50 year old woman who flies first class, drinks too many martinis and pinches the bums of stewards. But Im going to give something light and floral a try.

You dont need to engage in an extreme home makeover to get the feeling of a new space. Switch out the shams on your pillow cases, put some different pictures in those frames, put something different in that decorative bowl, replace the venetian blinds with some thrifted curtains, paint an accent wall a color you love. You dont need to break the bank to see a huge difference.

Im in the process of trying 25 new things, but you can try any number of new things. And they dont need to be epic, expensive, life changing things. Cook something with lemongrass, Watch Citizen Kane, and Try Hip Hop Karaoke are all equally valid. Its just important to try new things.

Check your credit score, see how much money you still owe on school loans and think about upping your automated payment. Even just $30 more a month can make a big difference over the course of 10 years Make sure youre actually using all those monthly services you pay for Hulu+, Netflix, the gym, etc. Could you do without them? Take a minute to look at your 401k are you topping it out? And if you dont have a 401k, get a Roth IRA. Its soooo much less intimidating than youd think.

When the holiday festivities are over, the decorations, ornaments and other festive trappings can be popped back into their boxes and bags. If you leave this too long, it can feel like a chore and can also have the effect of holding you back from moving into the next experiences. Don't feel like you have to get rid of it all in one day. Remove things little by little, ideally between Christmas and New Year's.Ask family and friends to help tidy away the seasonal decorations to make it easier.

Write the list out on a planner, chart or calendar where you can make notes. In order to get your resolutions underway, it's probable that you'll need to do some planning and organizing, and perhaps even some purchasing. It helps your focus to make notes and lists to direct your efforts in starting new habits.Is there any gear, equipment, food, clothing, etc. needed to start your new fitness/eating/exercise regime? Or perhaps you need new hobby or craft materials or new sports gear. Write down the needed items so that you can work out whether you already have what's needed or need to buy, beg, borrow or freecycle it.Do you need to book memberships, travel, subscriptions or any other service to aid the resolution? If so, write this down too.Write down anything else of relevance, alongside those resolutions.In some cases, breaking down the goals into short term and long term milestones is necessary to ensure you don't flag in your willpower. Write down any milestones you think will work for you.

If you're already wonderfully organized, skip this step. But many people aren't and this can inhibit feeling like the new year is a fresh start.Are there piles of papers and books on the desk and floor? Clean them up in short bursts here and there (stealth cleaning).Do you have trouble finding things, from keys to socks? Look for simple solutions, such as hanging up a key holder and setting up a special lost sock basket. One method is about training, the other is about acceptancefor example, you can train yourself to put things away but you can't account for missing socks until the mate turns up, so have a safekeeping zone for such items.Hate cleaning? You could try to convince yourself it's exercise, a moment of Zen or a chance to throw out your mate's junk but it's better to find help. Delegate the cleaning jobs to others as much as possible and try to arrange it so that you're doing what you're best at. It's overwhelming to be the person responsible for it all, so stop trying.

If you're not in the habit of relaxing, start the new year with a resolution to add this important activity (or lack of activity) to your life from now on.Spend a little time browsing through books and websites devoted to relaxation ideas. What sorts of relaxing opportunities appeal to you? Not everyone agrees that the same things are relaxingsome people find adrenalinpacked activities relaxing while others would rather slump in the hammock with a good book. It's your choice, just so long as it relaxes you.Almost everyone finds spastyle activities relaxing. This might mean a weekly bath by candlelight with big bubbles (and maybe some bubbly), a massage (at home with a loved one or paid for at a spa), yoga, meditation and the like.When you get a chance, take a relaxation break on Saturday or some other appropriate free day or afternoon. Get your rest, have some friends over for a spa party if you want, or just be alone. You can give yourself an oil treatment, manicure/pedicure, and whatever else will make you feel good and look good.

Going back to work or college/school after the holiday break can leave you feeling a little out of sorts. Tidying up your desk, locker, backpack, or whatever else you have where stuff accumulates can help you to feel refreshed for the new year. Throw out last year's junk, file away important information where it belongs and give everything a good dust or wipe down. Refill anything that you're running out of and if you can, place a pretty plant or photo on your desk to cheer yourself up.For backpacks, satchels, handbags, laptop carriers and other bags Don't carry around unnecessary items Things you don't need in the bag are clutter that increases the bulk and weight and might scratch items like laptops, phones and valuables.

Think about things you'd like to do better this year, new things you'd like to try to people you'd like to make amends with or start over with. Have you achieved the things you wanted to in the past year? What specific things would you like to change or redirect? Asking yourself questions about progress, change and where you want to be right now can help to keep your perspective fresh, giving you new motivation to make this year a more fulfilling one.Anything you regret saying? Anyone you wish you could apologize to? If there are people that you owe an apology to, apologize and make things right with them. You don't want to worry or regret anything when you start the new year.Was this past year so great you don't want it to be a new year? Great, make a scrapbook or diary entry about how great this year has been. But tell yourself the new year will be even better. Build on the lessons you've learned and keep the good things coming.