14 ways you could be starting the new year on the wrong foot

Start 2021 on the best foot possible with these 14 tips to preparing for a productive and fulfilling year ahead.

Chances are pretty good that something happened in the past year that really upset you. And that’s not even counting the coronavirus pandemic!

(And if not, share your well-centred secrets with the rest of us!)

Whether a friend betrayed you, a family member lied to you, or a stranger on the Internet viciously attacked you, it can be really tough to let those painful feelings go.

But, as the old adage goes, refusing to forgive is like swallowing poison and expecting the other person to die.

Start your new year fresh by doing whatever it takes to let go of those painful feelings and move past the hurt.

See a therapist, talk to a clergy person or meditate.

Sometimes you are the wronged party, but other times you are the one perpetrating the wrong.

Or, more often than not, you’re both partly wrong.

But regardless of anyone else’s actions and whether or not you choose to admit it in the moment, you know when you’ve done a bad thing.

So say you’re sorry.

Apologizing is hard… but not as hard as letting the argument carry over into a whole new year, to grow and metastasize until it kills your relationship.

If you can’t say it verbally, start with an “I’m sorry” note, e-mail, or text.

Diet, exercise and weight loss goals are traditionally by far the most popular New Year’s resolutions, but many of us sabotage those healthy goals before they even start by setting up our environment for failure.

Resist the mindset that you can eat whatever you want and then go cold turkey on January 1.

Making small changes is a much more realistic and sustainable method.

Start today by cleaning out your junk food stash, stocking more fresh fruits and veggies, and looking up healthy recipes.

Did you have a birthday in the past year? Celebrate an anniversary? Get married, have a baby, get promoted, attend a holiday party, win an award, or do any of the many things that inspire others to give you gifts or treat you?

We certainly hope so, as those are the things that make life fun and interesting.

But it’s all too easy to be grateful to others in the moment and yet forget to properly express your thanks later.

A hand-written thank-you card is the gold standard of gratitude, but even a thank-you call, text, or e-mail will make both you and the other person feel awesome.

Don’t let those cards still be sitting on your counter when you ring in the new year.

Taxes may not be due until the end of the financial year, but you gather important financial papers throughout the year, from medical bills to credit card statements to charity donations.

Now is the time to organise what’s important and throw out what’s not.

That way, you’ll be able to find exactly what you need when you need it and you won’t be panicking come June.

This time of year, everything is about spending, spending, spending, with many of us adding to our credit card debt during the holiday season.

But debt is anything but merry and bright; it hangs over your head, causing worry, anxiety, depression and regret, and can even spark a full-on breakdown.

Depending on how much you owe and to whom, it’s likely not realistic to pay off everything this month, but you can start by making a budget today that will help you get it paid off.

Unwashed dishes may sound like a small thing but piled up dishes often lead to cluttered countertops, sticky floors and overflowing garbage bins.

However, the kitchen is the hub of your home, so taking a few hours now to give it a good deep clean, starting with the sink, will make everything in your life feel easier – including keeping other New Year’s resolutions like cooking more meals at home, prepping healthy lunches, and measuring out proper portions.

Thanks to the combination of expiring, unused health benefits and finally met deductibles, December is the most popular month for scheduling non-emergency health procedures like check-ups, dental cleanings, or even elective surgery.

It can be a pain to fit it all in during such a busy season, but it’s worth it for the money you’ll save.

This is one of those things that waiting until the new year really may make a big difference, in the form of a hefty financial penalty.

Use all your available benefits before they expire, make the appointments, and don’t skip them, no matter how busy you are. (And then schedule them ahead for next year… in October.)

Let’s be honest, there’s never a convenient time for car maintenance.

It’s always going to be a pain to get your oil changed and your tyres rotated, but know what is an even bigger pain?

Having your car break down on your way to Grandma’s for Christmas dinner… or on the first leg of your road trip.

Taking the time to deal with small car problems now will save you from a huge repair bill in the new year.