- Emily Stoll
- Thursday, January 02, 2020
Three... two... one... welcome 2020! The New Year symbolizes a chance to start over or reinvigorate ourselves, which also means it's time to come up with a New Year's resolution.
According to Good Housekeeping Magazine, some of the most popular New Year's Resolutions include:
- Better budgeting
- Cutting calories
- Taking the stairs
- Starting a yoga routine
- Drinking more water
- Volunteer
- Delegating more chores
If you're still searching for a New Year's resolution, and you need some advice, be sure to check out these picks from our staff. They were featured in the January/February issue of Columbia Living Magazine.
Armageddon Two-Step by Michael Loyd Gray
Recommended by Chantal Wilson
Shelby Albert Goddard has saved the world using thingamajigs, thingamabobs and doohickeys. This comedic farce is meant to be a satirical examination on reality and truth, which seems especially apropos in this era of proliferating misinformation in the news and on social media. For this reader the first half of the book seemed to meander, and just when it started to hit its mark, it fizzled out. Although an amusing read, it never seemed to be as funny or biting as it was intended to be. However, if you like colorful, quirky characters, magical realism, and snappy dialogue, and don’t mind a meandering reading journey, then perhaps you may want to while away a few hours with this book.
Tiny Habits: The Small Changes that Change Everything by BJ Fogg, PhD
Recommended by Mahogany Skillings
Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg is a new take on how to form habits. This book explores the thought that our methods for making change are flawed, not us as people. By associating habits with feelings, you can create small habits that then lead to large changes in your life. BJ Fogg starts off by suggesting one tiny habit – eat a little chocolate each day. These habits don’t have to relate to some great life changing event that you are trying to accomplish. They can be as small as something that brings you a tiny bit of joy each morning – which makes your efforts relatable and more sustainable. Give this book a read, to put in to practice, some life altering habits.
Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds by David Goggins
Recommended by Lisa Gieskes
Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds is the life story of David Goggins, named by Outside Magazine as The Fittest (Real) Man in America. He also is the mysterious live-in SEAL from Jesse Itzler's book, Living with a SEAL: 31 Days Training with the Toughest Man on the Planet (another great self-help book). Goggins will motivate you by telling you how he overcame early (and late) hardships and the life lessons he has learned along the way. Despite his difficult childhood and later unhealthy lifestyle, he became the only man in history to complete elite training as a Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and Air Force Tactical Air Controller. He will tell you how to be your own superhero. Readers should know he uses curse words often.
The Extremely Busy Woman's Guide to Self-Care: Do Less, Achieve More, and Live the Life You Want by Suzanne Falter
Recommended by Rebecca Kelley
Suzanne Falter begins The Extremely Busy Woman's Guide to Self-Care with her own story of loss, showing how she came to value self-care so much. Like many self-help books, it covers the basics you might expect. The delivery of that message is what makes a difference. This book isn't telling you all the things you're doing wrong or claiming time management is your problem; instead, it meets you where you are and asks you what you need. It covers technology use, play time, boundaries, and so many often-overlooked aspects of your life that can affect your mental health. Full of great tips, anecdotes, and questions to guide you, this book shows you how to get started on a path to better self-care.
Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport
Recommended by Becky Patrick
“In 2020, I resolve to reduce my screen time by 50%.” If this sounds familiar to you, then you might want to pick up Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport. This book provides practical lessons on cultivating a high quality of leisure time and helps you understand why you are compelled to go back to social media apps over and over. The business of “Attention Economy” is out there and actively finding ways to get your attention, keep it and sell it. Learn the value of solitude and being more intentional with your time and build constructive steps to decluttering your digital world.