January 2018
Be the best version of yourself in 2018!
So, did you make any New Year Resolutions this year? If so, are you still sticking to any of them or are they fast becoming a distant memory?
Why is it that we feel the need to make New Year Resolutions anyway? We are perfectly capable of making changes in our lives at any time we like, yet there is still something fundamental about the start of a new calendar year that urges us to make a fresh start.
On January 1st The Washington Post reported that at least 40% of people make New Year Resolutions. The resolutions are seen as an opportunity for self-improvement; a time when we can look back on our inability so far to make changes and feel a new surge of optimism. In our minds we make a distinction between “the old me” and “the new me”, believing that somehow as Big Ben strikes midnight, this year will be different.
A recent Yougov survey found that the Top Ten New Year Resolutions this year are:
- Eat better
- Exercise more
- Spend less money
- Better self care, such as getting more sleep
- Read more books
- Learn a new skill
- Get a new job
- Make new friends
- Get a new hobby
- Focus more on appearance
Interestingly, there is an overriding theme behind all of the above – becoming a better version of yourself. New Year Resolutions are all about improving one or more aspects of who you are, whether it is related to your body, mind, spirit, financial or employment situation, or domestic circumstances. We want to be the better people that we know we could be, if only we had the chance.
Perhaps rather than making long lists of resolutions that realistically we are unlikely to be able to keep, it would be better to focus on just one or two areas of our lives this year, and make some changes there. As part of this, have a think about what are the main passions and interests in your life and incorporate these into your resolutions.
For example, if you seriously want to get fitter, then what kind of exercise do you already enjoy doing? You are more likely to succeed if you are doing something you love rather than forcing yourself to do something you hate. So if you’ve always had a desire to rekindle the rugby days of your youth, or to take up salsa dancing, then now might be the right time to do just that.
Once you have decided your main focus for 2018, why not commit to it publicly? Telling your friends and family what you are going to do may help you stick to it longer than you otherwise would. The Washington Post article explained that if people commit to try something new intensively for as little as a month this can trigger lasting behaviour change. Having a team of people cheering you on from the sidelines could make the difference between success and failure in those critical early days.
One fun way to boost your commitment is with a photography session. Psychologists confirm that in order to successfully change, you have to really want things to be different; you have to make a plan and stick to that plan. If you are surrounded either in your home or workplace by some excellent photography that continually reminds you of your intentions this could prevent you from falling off whichever wagon you are trying to stay on!
At Venture Studios we encourage you to bring any suitable props along to your photography session. Items that tell your story and reflect either who you are now or who you are aiming to become in future. Whether you are aiming to rekindle your musical abilities in 2018, finally start getting to grips with your home decoration project, or start spending more quality time with your family and friends, commit to those intentions in a fun photography session and bring with you the props and people you need to show that you mean business!
We hope you have a wonderful 2018 and that you are successful in whatever changes you want to make in your life this year. If you do want to capture those changes – before, during, and after they happen – with a photography session then do get in touch with us here at Venture Studios. We have a range of photoshoot experiences available that can be purchased either through our website or by getting in touch with us direct.
