During the holiday season, self-help books sell well and the number of searches for them increases. Even if you don’t go to a lecture or do anything spectacular, this is the time of year when you take a look back at the past year and see how much you’ve accomplished, what you’ve been up to, and what life has been like.
Now that you’ve done that, it’s time to look forward to the new year. Before you start writing down what you want to accomplish in the new year, here are some personal development routines you can start right now to discover how you’ll be different in the new year.
1. Clean up the mess you make when you wake up
If you’re woken up by your alarm clock, your family waking you up, or the harsh sunlight from the window, take a moment to get out of bed and make your bed. If you’ve had enough of watching YouTube and Instagram on your bed, it’s time to tidy up the sheets instead of leaving them haphazardly thrown around .
You don’t have to hold it by the corners like you would in a hotel room. You don’t even need to fold them into square packages. Just having them laid out neatly on your bed will make your room look and feel much more organized. Self-improvement doesn’t have to be a big deal. Organizing your bedding is a simple way to feel like you’ve accomplished something from the moment you leave your room.
2. Read a book, light or heavy, it”s all good
It doesn’t have to be a self-help book. Pick up any book, no matter how light or heavy, and read it. Even if you don’t finish it, even if you don’t savor every word, the point is to gain new knowledge and perspectives, even if only indirectly.
If you’re looking to gain a fresh perspective on work and life in the new year, try an independent bookstore to discover new books and topics. Check out our list of recommended independent bookstores in Seoul here.
3. Breathe, posture, and exercise
It’s great to have a specific goal, such as losing weight or getting a body profile, but why not make it a New Year’s resolution to exercise regularly regardless? Try meditation or yoga to focus on your body and breathing, even if it doesn’t involve sweating, or find a sport that suits you, such as tennis or squash.
All of these self-improvements won’t be as appealing if you don’t have the best hips. For those of us who live and die by our hips, here are some hip and fun places to work out. Find out more here.