New Year 2022: Habits to Build for the New You

New Year 2022: Habits to Build for the New You

The new year is fast approaching-- are you ready to leave behind the old you and embrace better habits and a more positive disposition? The coming of a new year can be a good time to review the choices and decisions we've made in the past year, and promise ourselves, as well as our Father above, that we will make better decisions in the future.

Simply declaring that you'll do things right next year is not enough-- make your resolutions for the coming year feel more tangible by listing them out in a planner. If you don't know what habits to build, or how to start your list of New Year resolutions for 2022, here are five easy habits you should build for a better year ahead.

1. Stop Procrastinating

Procrastination is something we've all probably tried to fend off in the past, but sometimes, the urge to set aside what we should be doing today at a later time tends to take over rather easily. Procrastination is but the doorway to sloth which, as you remember, is one of the seven mortal sins. If you can build one habit next year, make sure it is the habit of scheduling your work and accomplishing them promptly.

Let this Proverb be a reminder of what hard work results in:

"Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich." - Proverbs 10:4

2. Invest in Something that Can Help You Improve Your Life

In a tech-driven world, one of the most popular gadgets people tend to go gaga over are smartphones. You may have seen how people line up to get their hands on the latest iPhone, as if all that matters is a brand new phone to show off.

In our desire to look cool or glamorous, we tend to neglect investments that truly matter: good food, clean housing, good education, and most importantly, strong spiritual health. If you have been crippled by debt in the past as a result of your desire to spend on items that are largely unnecessary, now is a good time to leave that life behind.

The truth is: the latest iPhone, the latest car, or the latest trendy attire only cost a lot but bring little value to your overall well-being. If you want to save more money for the future, start by living more frugally today. Ignore the glitzy advertisements for once and take a minute to look within. What do you really need to live a better, healthier life? List those down, and work on acquiring these instead.

Remember this:

"Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy." - 1 Timothy 6:17

3. Plan Your Day, and See it Through

If you have always found it to see through the plans you've thought of, this year, make it a habit to write all of your plans down and to keep everything in writing. Do you want to learn a new hobby in 3 months? Do you want to lose weight in a year? Write every goal and every action you must take to get there in a planner or notebook organizer. If you feel creative, get into bullet journaling-- a trend where people showcase their beautifully-organized journals and all their techniques at staying up to date with their daily activities and life plans.

It is not enough to list all your plans down. Make sure to write deadlines for yourself, as well. By making your goals time-bounded, you are subconsciously encouraging yourself to achieve something according to a timeline you have set for yourself.

But remember this: in case you fail at meeting a deadline for a certain hobby or goal you've set for yourself, don't take the failure so hard. Recall what the bible says about our plans:

'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. - Jeremiah 29:11

4. Be Better at Discerning News You Read

One of the most discouraging things that happened in the previous year was the prevalence of unfounded news or articles and the number of people who have fallen for so many false rumors. While the internet can be a very entertaining place, it can also be very dangerous for children and people who are unable to effectively discern the contents of a news article they’ve found online.

This year, make it a habit to discern the news you come across wisely. Even your closest friends on Facebook or Instagram may be sharing news that is not thoroughly-investigated. To become a better consumer of news you find online, take note of these important points:

• Get your news only from reputable sources. For starters, don’t read news posted on websites where the editors and writers’ names are not listed. Professional journalists are likely to attach their names to their work compared to those who write fluff.
• If one news source does not satisfy you, research the article online and read other news published on other reputable news websites. Try to get a full picture of the event by cross-referencing the contents of the article with other news sources.
• Finally, accept the truth. Some reports may upset you, even if it is the truth. Instead of ignoring the situation, accept the truth, for doing so shall “set you free” (John 8:32).

5. Pray More Often

If there is one habit you should definitely build and strengthen, it is the habit of praying more often. No matter how difficult your day may be, or no matter how challenging circumstances get, surrender it all to God through prayer.

Prayer is indeed a precious gift granted to us by our merciful Father. We build a relationship with the Father through our heartfelt prayers-- think of it as a bridge that can bring us closer to the One who made us. Take advantage of every free minute and every opportunity you get to ‘speak’ with the Almighty Father.

If you want to take this habit up a notch, become a devotee to the Rosary or the Divine Mercy. Learn how to pray the rosary with the quick and easy guide we’ve put up, or check out guides online. Becoming a devotee not only improves your relationship with Christ, but it also enriches your spiritual life.

“For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” - Colossians 1:9

Begin Again

Building a new habit can be difficult, so don’t feel pressured to populate your list of new year resolutions with as many goals you can think of. If you feel you can only manage 1, 2, or 5 goals this year, start with something simple, or at the very least, with the easy habits listed above.