11 Unusual Yet Realistic New Year Resolutions That Will Make 2018 The Best Year Yet

Yes, we know. New year resolutions again. Ugh. But, for once, really think of it another chance to get it right this time. This moment affords you plenty of time for some much needed introspection. Were my goals unrealistic in 2017? What can I do to change the way I approach this? Why not target a 100 per cent success rate when it comes to resolutions?

This is also the time you address all the issues that have bothered you this past year - love, life, relationships, finances, career, you name it - and convert them into doable tasks. You're going to come out feeling none the wiser, and may be, you'll even begin to trust yourself more and rely more whatever decisions you make.

According to one research, "about half of all adults make New Year's resolutions. However, fewer than 10 per cent manage to keep them for more than a few months."

It's important to understand that the more realistic a goal, the easier it is to achieve it. And whatever you do, don't become a victim of "false hope syndrome" by having unrealistic ideas about time, speed, consequence. It's also important to take on these tasks one step at a time, one day at a time. Accept minor lapses for what they are. Minor lapses and not major obstacles. And, anything worth your while won't come that easily anyway.

For those of us willing to give this thing another chance, here are some surprisingly uncommon resolutions that'll keep you afloat in the new year.

1. Don't talk to anyone about your resolutions

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Get down to doing them. Enough with yakking about resolutions. Isn't that what you've done all these years. For once, don't talk about them. Instead use that energy in completing all of them. According to one study, "only 64 per cent last longer than the first month, and only 46 per cent last longer than six months." Don't become this statistic.

2. Make one new friend every month

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Not being cheesy. There's actual science here too. According to scientificamerican.com that considered a whole bunch of studies, "people who are a part of a group are also far better equipped to conquer an internal foe—the threat of bad health." And since we're all about better health in 2018, we need to think more socially.

3. For every junk food item, eat two healthy ones

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It's one greasy, nasty fight against junk food. There'll be times you'll slip up and go on the guilt trip of a lifetime. Save your time. Accept that you'll want to bite into nasty food more than once. So, change the way you fix this. For every one item of junk food, make sure you have two healthier ones. Think vitamins, folic acid, more fibre...

4. Up your selfie game: click one for every goal achieved

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And that'll truly change the way you take a selfie. What you associate the word 'selfie' with then will have more honourable leanings. No duck face anymore. Think goal face.

5. Don't sit on your money

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We all love our thrones of paper currency but if it's lying dead in your account it's not doing you any good. Spend what you have to, invest the rest. Read, read and read as much as you can. Ask your bank more questions and seek investment advice for the people whose job it is to literally do this for you. Chart out your monthly expenses and leave a little room for a few indulgences. Everything else, you save. Start with apps like mTrakr, Moneycontrol and DigiLocker that will help you put a leash on this monster.

6. Seek out the small things that make you happy and challenge yourself

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Backyard cook-offs, pottery classes, learning a new language, movie marathons, getting a senseless tattoo, road-tripping (driving to work doesn't count) every weekend to the closest hot spot, spending the whole day taking care of doggos who need love... the possibilities are endless. Follow groups on Facebook that share local news and events and head out to one. You might actually end up having fun.

7. Create a new world record

Whether it's reading the most number of books in a day, puckering up for the longest kiss, staying in bed for days or cooking a meal to feed an entire town, there's a whole bunch of records waiting to be made. Get started, here.

8. Get off social media and show up for real causes

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How many times do we have to say this? Liking, sharing and forwarding are like little dumps you take in space. They don't do anything. But you know what will make you really happy? An act of random kindness where you get nothing in return. Go on, you good soul.

9. Become minimalistic

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It's all about being zen, being in the now and opening up spaces around you so you can really expand, spiritually speaking. Don't renew your cable connection, pay off all debts, dump all the clothes you once wore but won't again, break it off with negative nobodies. Go minimalistic wherever you can, in whatever space you take up and you'll find yourself breathing easier.

10. Stop saying 'no'

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Doesn't mean you become the human trash bin for any idiot who comes your way. Don't hate change, it can be pretty awesome. Just make sure, with this, you open yourself upto better experiences in life.

11. Finally learn the one thing you skipped as kid

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Horse-riding, a musical instrument, better handwriting... you get the drift. And don't blame your folks for this. You still have plenty of time.

And before you go...

Give yourself a break. It's okay to dream big. We all have that one dinosaur-sized dream that we hope comes true one day. What you need to remember is to work hard enough each year so you're closer to realising it one day.