New Year, New Habits

Time to Make Positive Change

We know what you’re thinking: this is a watch blog, so why are we discussing something as esoteric as self-improvement and “positive change?”  Well, the answer is simple.  As you’ve accurately pointed out we are a blog that discusses watches, and as watch enthusiasts we are acutely aware of the endless march of time, and as regular human beings we are also acutely guilty of making the oft-not-followed-through, “New Year’s resolution,” which almost always stems from a need for self improvement, which dovetails rather neatly into that “endless march of time” part.

And while it’s true that many of us cringe at just hearing the words, “New Year’s resolution” the New Year does offer a clean slate and the chance to “start fresh” on a path that you may not have explored yet.  If anything, the New Year offers a chance to challenge yourself in a way that you may not have the year before, especially when it comes to eliminating bad habits that may have hindered you from personal growth.  And as 2024 has slowly transitioned into 2025, we are, once again, at the precipice of making yet another one and using the beginning of the year to reflect on our past mistakes and try (that’s the effective word isn’t it?) and make resolutions to a positive change for the future.  

So to start things off, let’s begin with the most essential aspect that will make everything moot if not addressed: yourself.  And that’s simply because, there will be no transition to positive change if you don’t take care of yourself first. 

Focus on your health 

So its really quite simple: there will be no better life, no better job, no better anything if you remain the unhealthy slob that most of us don’t want to admit we are.  You gotta take care of that ticker and physical health is one of the most, if not THE most important starting point for setting goals for the New Year.  So do yourself a favor: get off that proverbial couch, slip those trainers on and get some exercise.  Believe us, walking to the corner coffee house to get a coffee (as opposed to having it delivered right to your office) is not going to kill you.  Look at it this way you may even discover a great pastry shop on the way.

And while we wholeheartedly understand your reluctance to admit it, regular exercise is still the most efficient way of reducing chronic disease and sickness.  And you don’t even have to enroll in a gym to do it!  Just regular walking can do wonders for your wellbeing.   According to French philosopher Frédéric Gros, walking is the best way to free your mind, and not only does it increase energy levels, it can even improve your mood.  But self realization and the urgency to get healthier can only get you so far.  You need to be able to follow through with your fitness goals if you want to make the most out of it.  This is the part that trips most people up.  

To avoid this you need to avoid radical changes in your lifestyle and diet.  Remember any change needs to be sustainable otherwise you will find yourself abandoning it before any meaningful changes can occur.  So set realistic fitness goals for yourself.  Instead of enrolling in a gym and spending a whole lot of cash on a personal trainer, how about you simply ditch the car and try walking to work.  If you find that isn’t enough, try exercising twice or three times a week for 30 minutes.  Also, consider other physical activities, like cycling or hiking.  You’ll never know, you might actually enjoy the great outdoors.  Finally, keep a journal of your activities so you can monitor your progress and stay motivated.

Develop Healthy Eating Habits

Alas, this is the part where most people falter.  But it must be said: no amount of physical activity will do anything if you continue to eat like there is no tomorrow.  Diet plays a significant role in any health regimen, and once again the goal here is sustainability.  Most New Year’s resolutions jump straight to very restrictive diets.  No way on earth someone who has been eating a certain way for the past three to four decades is going to follow through with that.

Again, set realistic goals for your self and simply start cutting down.  Nobody said anything about not having that wonderful dessert or avoiding that delectable piece of meat.  Just don’t eat the entire cake and avoid chomping down on an entire cow.  Cutting down is the name of the game for beginners.  And this, coupled with much needed exercise will do wonders for you.

Also, it is important to hydrate regularly.  Most people forget to drink a glass of water sometime during the day.  This is essential for maintaining energy levels and not only does it promote healthy bodily functions, it also provides the added illusion of making your body think its full.

Don’t Forget Mental and Emotional Health

These two are surprisingly intertwined with each other.  With the speed at which our fast paced world moves it’s become the norm for people to succumb to stress, anxiety and burnout.  This is why mental and emotional well-being is one of the most important habits you can cultivate for the New Year, which once again dovetails to the most important aspect of self improvement: taking care of yourself.

Mental and emotional resilience is the key and one of the best ways of achieving this is by putting yourself in someone else’s shoes.  In other words, learn to be mindful of others, which, alas, is something easier said than done.  Doing this is going to take some effort because as individuals we naturally put ourselves first, so putting yourself in someone else’s shoes can be somewhat unnatural.  

The best part is that being mindful can be applied to every aspect of life, from your family, relationships, as well as the workplace.  As evidenced by many successful businesses, co-workers have been known to work doubly hard when treated like partners who are given the freedom to fulfill their best potential.  Slippery slope, we agree.  But consider the possibilities of a workforce made to feel like they are working to build a better future with you.  The result is a win-win situation for everyone involved.  Believe us, we know.

If all else fails try to condition your mind to relax by writing down you thoughts and emotions in another journal (your second one as of this writing).  This can be a great way to process your emotions by considering the points of view of others and gaining clarity on any scenario or situation.  

Practice Gratitude and Positivity

This connects rather nicely with cultivating mental and emotional health.  Focusing on the positive aspects of life puts you in the proper mindset to successfully ride out even the most difficult of times.  So instead of constantly focusing on the negative try focusing on the positive.  Take the time to thank people for their kindness and support.  This will not only make you feel better, it will also strengthen inter personal relationships.  Focus on the now.  What happened in the past is in the past; there is no undoing any of that.  

Take the Japanese concept of Ma, for example.  It has been described as, “A pause in time, an interval or emptiness in space.  Ma is the time and space life needs to breath, to feel and connect.”  In other words, it’s a time out you give to yourself because if you don’t you literally won’t have the time, and you won’t have the space to grow.  Something that Ma teaches is a universal principle that can be applied to every aspect of life.

So instead of insisting that the glass is half empty, try imagining it as half full.  Eschew the bleakness and focus on the positivity of the future and what can be done to improve it.  Believe us, not only can this reduce stress and anxiety; it even has the added benefit of increasing your life expectancy, literally and figuratively.  As a certain Ferris Bueller once said, “Life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

Learn Financial Responsibility

As you probably very well know, the pursuit of financial security always plays a significant role in creating stress and anxiety.  I know it, you know it, we all know it.  This is why if most New Year’s resolutions don’t involve losing weight, it most definitely involves some form of improvement in financial situation.  

So first things first: create a budget.  No point in discussing anything further if you don’t do that.  Second, keep track of your money.  This is crucial in understanding the literal ins and outs of your income and expenditures.   Also, set financial goals.  Whether it’s for putting away for your savings or paying off your credit card debt, setting clear financial goals will provide motivation and direction.

Finally (and this is probably the most important), practice sensible spending.  Reducing your overall spending output, especially by avoiding spending on discretionary items (things you don’t really need) can go a long way to financial security.  And we’re not saying don’t buy the things you want, just prioritize the things you need.  This can lead to significant savings over time.

And for those “other” things focus on sensible purchases that will not only not break the bank but will also have the added benefit of providing years of valuable moments and experiences.  A solid and reliable timepiece like Filippo Loreti is a good example.  Not only does it provide a much-needed function, but it also has the power to provide lasting experiences that has the potential to span generations.

Hopefully by following some or all of the guidelines above will lead to some self-improvement for all of us.  So here is to another year ahead!  May we all have the fortitude to better ourselves and all those around us. 

Happy New Year to all!!