I don’t know about you, but there’s something empowering about the start of a new year. The idea of a clean slate or a fresh start is something that’s excited me since I was in grade school. Today, I’m one of the millions of Americans that creates New Year’s resolutions to keep herself accountable throughout the next 365 days.

Like most people, I’ve made plenty of mistakes and failed numerous times while making and keeping New Year’s resolutions. The problem? They’re too general.

Like with most goals, resolutions are most effective when they’re SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time based). This year, I wanted to make sure that my goals were not only SMART but helped me transform every single day of the year.

Below is a list of five easy resolutions that can transform your everyday life.

1. Exercise

This is probably not the first time you’re learning about the importance of exercise in your everyday life and it sure won’t be the last. That’s because exercise is probably one of the best habits you can build for a healthier and more energized life. For my lifestyle, the best time to exercise is first thing in the morning. Even a 15-minute workout can have a great impact on your life, so make it a priority.

2. Meditate

With our lives moving at lightning speed, it’s important to slow down and clear our minds at least once a day. As a beginner, meditation has been one of the toughest habits to get accustomed to. That’s usually because getting my mind to slow down is harder than I originally thought it would be. However, I’ve learned that with anything else, meditation takes practice. Start following a guided meditation practice for five minutes a day. There are some amazing apps available. I recommend Insight Timer as a free version and Headspace as a paid subscription option.

3. Eat well

Just like exercise, our diets play a very important role in our daily lives. They control our mood, energy levels, focus, and so much more. While I eat primarily home cooked meals, I’ve never paid too much attention to the nutrition facts of each one. This year, I plan on prioritizing my health by learning new and healthier recipes.

4. Drink Water

While my water intake improved in 2018 compared to all past years, it’s still not where I want it to be. My goal is to drink 64 ounces of water per day, 34 ounces by noon. That’s 8 cups total. That doesn’t seem like much, but for someone that doesn’t regularly already do that, it’s so much. One of the easiest ways to do this is by drinking from a larger water container. My current favorite is my ThermoFlask from Costco. It holds 32 ounces (4 cups), so if I drink an entire bottle by noon, I’ve already met half my goal for the day.

5. Dress well

As a personal stylist, this goal might seem silly to some, as I usually dress up on a daily basis, however, the goal goes a little deeper than that. This last year I noticed myself settling for outfits I felt OK in. Well, in 2019, I no longer want to feel just OK in something. I want to feel amazing every single day (at least about my outfit). I’ll be using Pinterest for outfit ideas and inspirations and documenting it on my Instagram account.

My hope is that by following these resolutions daily, my energy, focus, and confidence will improve. Give them a try and see how your daily life is impacted.

Happy New Year!