While we firmly believe you can self-improve all year ’round—and that making big, life-altering promises about how we’re not drinking more than a glass of wine at meals and that’s it will probably end in failure when a particularly rough workday rolls around—we’re not immune to resolutions. And with the close of a particularly chaotic, sad year, we’re ready to make some key—if small—changes that will leave us more sound and balanced in body and mind for the coming year.
We’ll be checking back in 21 days from January 1 to see how our newfound resolve is holding up (apparently that’s how long it takes to create a habit). Commit with us, and let us know what you’re resolving to change and do for 2017 on Twitter, @coveteur #newyearnewyou.
Alicia Cesaro
Senior Editor
I’ve always been hyped up, anxious, stressed, albeit outgoing and type A, but New York City in all its craziness has definitely not helped. I’m not one for resolutions—I typically make about three of them every Sunday evening in a bout of scaries that wither off come Wednesday—but in the interest of a New Year (one in which I’m getting married, so like, I need to chill), and coming off a relaxing vacation, I’m vowing to take a bit of time for myself each week, whether that’s a Pilates class, wine with friends, or reading alone (somewhere outside my apartment where I spend way too much time hibernating). Hey, maybe I’ll even start meditating? Or maybe I’ll just resolve to not worry about being so happy and relaxed all the time, altogether?
Emily Ramshaw
Senior Editor
More and more, what with work, social engagements—just life—my phone has begun to feel less like a lifeline to the world and more like a leash. This year, I want to take one hour per day where I am not using technology (phone, laptop, iPad) and just living without it —whether I’m reading, hanging out with friends, exercising, even eating a meal without my phone sitting beside me. The sad thing is that a whole hour technology-free on a regular weekday will probably be incredibly hard (emails, Instagram feed updates—UGH). Here’s to discovering that life offline is far more stimulating than whatever’s on the screen.
Jodi Taylor
Assistant Editor
2016 seemed to be the year that we heard the most about what to eat, what to avoid eating, and on top of that, there seemed to be a new superfood coming at us every week. Although I have always been one to eat on the healthier side, I am guilty of having a huge sweet tooth (you name it, I’ll eat it) and am setting out to change that. When you eat clean there is no doubt that you feel better, so in the new year I’m going to work on only putting things into my body that do something good (with the exception of some drinks here and there because balance). I’ll definitely be mixing in cheat days (otherwise I would go crazy) and still living my life the way I want, just in a better way.
Laurel Pantin
Editorial Director
When I lived abroad for a year, I found myself generally much calmer, more positive, and more patient. As soon as I came back to New York it was like my shoulders crept back up to my ears, my anxiety skyrocketed, and I found myself quietly muttering “geezus” behind an abnormally high number of meandering tourists on the streets. I need to take a deep breath and a giant chill pill, and start being a bit more patient. I think sometimes New Yorkers perversely pride themselves on their grouchiness and impatience, but it’s a really nasty quality, and I’m hoping to nip it in the bud this year. I am *also* embarking on a 30-day fitness/wellness challenge with Bari in New York, so I’ll report on that too. One last thing, I use way too many plastic bottles every week, so right before leaving for my adventure vacation in Hawaii, I ordered a Brita water thingie and a SodaStream. Here’s to a plastic-free life in 2017!