Does anyone still make New Year’s resolutions? Even if you don’t, January is still a good time to turn over a new leaf and set yourself some goals.
I thought about some common resolutions and sought advice from local experts on how to achieve them. So, whether you want to improve your physical or financial health, change your home or your job, I hope you’ll find something of use here to make 2023 your best year yet.
According to Money Geek, the average person spent $1,131 over the holidays in 2021, with more than a quarter regretting they had spent so much. About 65% of that was paid for with credit cards and by Feb. 11, 2022, 40% still had not paid off that debt.
If this is you, certified financial advisor Kristy Sullivan, based in Naperville, suggests you face the problem head on.
“Pull out all the bank and credit card statements from the previous three months, pick your favorite color highlighter and get to work highlighting everything you spent on the holidays,” Sullivan said.
“It’s important to study what we’ve done to make sure it doesn’t happen again in the future. Also, if we know what we spent in 2022, we can more accurately plan for what we might spend (or not spend) in 2023.”
She recommends implementing the “debt snowball method” to take control. It’s a strategy where debt gets paid in order of smallest to largest regardless of the interest rate.
“I think the snowball debt pay-down method is a great way to visually see what you have and have a plan of attack to achieve payoff,” Sullivan said.
It’s all about being held accountable so talking your plan over with a close friend can be helpful.
“If you are doing this with someone who can help you, it should help alleviate at least a little bit of the anxiety,” she said. “Changing money habits are difficult and much like weight loss or exercise goals, (they) take time to figure out and make a habit.”
If you’re looking to change jobs this year, the Career and Networking Center can provide a wide range of free resources. Executive Director Kimberly White suggests beginning by talking to someone currently employed in your proposed new field.
“Ask questions, lots of questions,” White said. “You can also meet with a coach to learn how to utilize the skills you already have and how to learn new ones.”
For those over 55, switching gears can be challenging, but not impossible.
“Studies have shown individuals over 55, once unemployed, have a much harder time and longer duration to landing a job,” White said. “It’s so important for individuals that fall into this category to not procrastinate in starting their job search.
“First, make sure to create a resume that highlights your most recent skills and successes, not the 30-plus years you’ve been employed because it shows your age. Additionally, individuals should be able to show their knowledge around technology and other relevant digital/social media platforms.”
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If a house move is on your to-do list in 2023, it’s important to understand the market. Current conditions still favor the seller because of reduced inventory. With higher interest rates, homes are selling but not with the enthusiasm seen in 2021 and the first half of 2022 so it is essential to be ready when the right place comes along.
Gretchen Ashley of Option Realty recommends not only employing a knowledgeable local real estate agent but a lender to advise you on the best type of mortgage for your needs.
“When armed with the proper knowledge, you are empowered to make the right decisions for yourself,” Ashley said. “If you are listing your home for sale in the new year, you will want to talk to your Realtor about what changes you can make to appeal to the broadest audience of buyers. Fresh neutral paint goes a long way and gives the best bang for your buck.”
If all this is making your head spin, it might be a good time to examine what’s new in health and wellness this year. Rather than looking at your physical or mental health as separate areas, today’s trend is to examine them together.
Mary Ellen Taylor is a certified yoga therapist with the Grow Wellness Group in Naperville.
“Yoga is designed to calm the mind, give you better sleep and then once that’s achieved, it helps people align their dharma, or purpose,” she said. “We know that the body hurts sometimes, for example back pain, but doctors don’t normally have time to solve emotional issues too. Our main goal is to look at various layers of the body so one can find whatever stage of enlightenment they are looking for.”
Taylor seeks to heal and empower patients rather than cure them.
“Cure is not the same as healing,” she said. “Yoga looks at the whole self. I work with patients with anxiety and depression or a lack of purpose. Which came first, back pain or financial stress? Childbirth or GI issues?”
Taylor says she helps clients to set goals by changing habits in small steps.
“If we see someone who wants to lose weight, we uncover their history,” she said. “Sometimes there’s an emotional connection to food. The person might be lonely. We look at their fitness level and digestion. Instead of making junk food off limits, we modify it. We empower the client. We start with baby steps like breathing exercises every day and four or five things you can do. We give them small chunks of things to do that can help them move forward.”
One of the most important things is for people to be patient and kind to themselves.
“If you expect results in two sessions, it won’t happen,” Taylor said. “If we change the mind, the body follows. A lot of women may say aging is supposed to be painful, but the body will do what we want if we feed it with kindness.”
Hilary Decent is a freelance journalist who moved from England to Naperville in 2007.