2810[high]5: New Year’s Resolutions You Might Actually Stick To

New year, new you? Ready to tighten the belt on the budget only to find the buckle was broken? Kristen has five great suggestions for resolutions that you can pick up now and actually do.

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Try out a new hobby every month. Are you a Great British Bake off fanatic? Or have you always wanted to try your hand on a pottery wheel? Make a resolution to try out a new hobby every month, and see if you have any secret talents you didn’t know about. If you need some inspiration or some guidance, both the Matthews Community Center and the Levine CPCC Continuing Education Program have a variety of classes to assist you on your quest.

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Resolve to give your business a boost or polish up professional skills. Whether you’ve always wanted to network more at the Matthews Chamber of Commerce, practice your public speaking at Matthews Mint Hill Toastmasters, or brush up on some basic computer skills with a tutor at the Matthews library, 2020 could be your year!

Get some exercise you actually enjoy. We all say we are going to eat better and exercise more in the New Year. But finding an exercise you actually enjoy will help you stick with it. Not even counting the fact that the Brace YMCA offers a plethora of exercise classes, Matthews offers plenty of ways to get your sweat on without a gym membership. The Matthews Community Center has day time evening classes in yoga, pilates, dance, and more. Plus, many classes you can simply pay as you go. If your resolution is to save your pennies, go for a run with the Carolina Beer Temple Run Club, take a hike at Colonel Francis Beatty park, or simply spend your lunch hour strolling Four-Mile Creek Greenway.

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Clean up your act. Has Marie Kondo inspired you to spark more joy in your home this year? Make 2020 the time to clear your clutter! Tackle a different area of your home each month and by next year, you’ll have transformed your home into a brand new space. Assess your belongings for their personal joyness-factor, remember to donate gently used goods to local nonprofits such as the Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity ReStore, ZABS Place, or the Matthews Help Center who can turn your trash into someone else’s treasure, all for a good cause. Not sure where to start your catastrophe clean up? Consider hiring a personal organizer, like A Space for Kate, to get you started. 

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Take some time for yourself. Easier said than done, but make a pledge to yourself to try and take a moment for yourself a little time each week, or at the very least each month. Pledge to pick up a new book from the Matthews Library, do some meditation at the Matthews Community Center, or have a “Treat Yo Self Day” with whatever your heart most desires. 

2810[high]5: Ways to Simplify Your Life

Did you know that the first week of August is National Simplify your Life week? Here are a few ways you can simplify things in your home, at work, and in your mind. 

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Declutter - Did you know that there are more reasons to declutter your home than the obvious (less clutter)? According to Psychology Today, it has several psychological benefits as well. It forces you to use decision making and problem solving skills as you prioritize the stuff you have and come up with solutions on how to store it. It can also reduce anxiety, because we lack of order sometimes causes stress. Humans may have evolved to respond this way, because a lack of order in was most likely disadvantageous for early humans. Finally, decluttering might give your mind an opportunity to wander and take a break from your usual thinking.

Prep for Tomorrow - How many times a day do we feel rushed because we are doing something at the last minute? This week, make yourself a list of things you can do to get yourself ready for the next day, even if it’s just one or two activities. Pack your lunch the night before. Before you leave the office, jot down a quick list of what you want to get done tomorrow, Pick out your clothes, pack your work and gym bag, and prep your breakfast. You’ll be surprised how much more smoothly your morning goes the next day.

Embrace "No" - Sometimes, its okay to say no. Many of us are people pleasers (myself included) and we often find ourselves taking on projects or activities that are not beneficial to ours or others lives. If you’re constantly overextending yourself and it’s affecting your mental well-being, use this week as an excuse to practice saying “no” and see if it doesn’t help your outlook.

Prioritize your time - Embracing “no” leads me to the next tip, prioritize time. Now that you’ve gotten some time back by politely declining activities, be mindful of how you spend that time. How much time do you spend mindlessly checking your phone, your email, your twitter feed? Check out from your screens during set hours each day, or only allow yourself to check your phone at the top of every hour. 

Give Yourself a Break - Treat yourself to a destressing activity that you enjoy. Go for a hike. Read a book. Get a massage. Do nothing.

2810[high]5: Free Dates in Matthews

On a budget for the summer? Here are 5 FREE dates you can and your plus one can do right here in Matthews. Bonus points if you take a selfie and tag @matthewsbeacon with the #MatthewsDateNight!

PDA in front of PDA - Did you know that the giant heart sculpture outside of Stumptown Park is called “Public Display of Affection”? (If you read this Beacon article from 2018 you do!) What better excuse to demonstrate your affection than to do so in front of iconic Matthews public art piece. (This writer strongly encourages you to keep your PDA rated G).

Checkers at Country Place Park- You and your better half can enjoy the sunshine and decide once and for all who is the board champion. Country Place Park, near Matthews United Methodist church has 3 tables with checkerboard tops for public use, as well as a pollinator garden and bee themed art. Feel like it’s not a free date because you have to go buy your own checkers pieces? Save yourselves some bottle caps from your not-free-dates and make yourself some bottle cap checkers.

Walking Tour - Did you know the Matthews has its own FREE self-guided walking tour you can follow? Print out the tour, put on your walking shoes, and take turns narrating the history and culture as you travel around town.

Lecture at the Library - The library has more to offer than just free books (though that’s still pretty awesome). They also offer opportunities to hear talks on subjects like earth friendly way to greenifying your lawn, how to relax through mindfulness and meditation, or a chance to read, write, and discuss poetry. 

Volunteer - One of the best ways to strengthen the bonds of an existing relationship is to commit to a shared activity-like volunteering. Matthews has over 55 nonprofits just registered with the Chamber of Commerce, many of which would eagerly appreciate four extra hands. Help HAWK maintain their garden at Squirrel Lake Park, sort donations at the Matthews Help Center food pantry or help build a home with Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity.