8 New Year's Resolutions That Should Be On Every Montrealer's List
- As the new year rolls around, so do the New Year's resolutions, which is why MTL Blog has put together a list of attainable goals for 2020.
- From learning how to properly budget your money to being more conscious about your food consumption, this list has a resolution for everyone!
- Check out eight New Year's resolutions and how you can actually achieve them this year below!
- Visit MTLBlog for more headlines.
Yep, it's that time of year where we're all sick of too much food, too much alcohol, and way too many nights out. So, we make those New Year's resolutions of how this year is going to be our year. We are going to head to get fit, eat clean, be the best version of us as we can possibly be! Then February rolls around and that initial motivation is waning and you're tired of packed gyms, and salmon salads and trying to make quinoa taste good, and it's just like, "Eh, whatever. Pass the chocolate."
Sometimes smaller, more manageable goals actually work out better and are easier to achieve in the long run than a complete rebranding of yourself. And the more that
We took a look at some of the more popular New Year's resolutions (and some new ones) from saving money to being more productive and the best services to help you reach your goals.
But hey, if nothing is going to stop you from going to the gym in 2020, you can also check out these 7 affordable Montreal gyms.
Keep reading below to check out eight New Year's resolutions and how you can actually achieve them this year.
Change Careers
If you want to make a complete career change or are just not happy with your current company, now is a good time to brush up that CV and start applying. The first quarter of the year is when a lot of companies are hiring.
Yes Montreal currently offers free workshops to up your chances of getting a job; from creating an ideal CV and leveraging your LinkedIn to nailing your next interview. Many of the workshops are also available online.
Click here for more Yes Montreal courses!
You can also check out this list of 15 Montreal jobs if you're looking for a fresh start in 2020.
Learn To Budget
There are a lot of ways to save a few bucks, but you won't get very far without first learning to budget - which is admittedly harder than it sounds. McGill University offers a free online Personal Finance Essentials course. Taught by McGill professor's you can learn the basics of budgeting and borrowing, real estate and investing without leaving your home or paying the price of tuition.
Save Money On Clothes
Try ditching the big stores in favour of thrifting at some of Montreal's vintage shops. Most of us know the big ones like Annex, Ruse Boutique, and Citizen Vintage where you can find deals on everything from designer and everyday clothing to shoes and accessories.
But there are also places like Shwap Club where for $16 you can exchange your clothes for new (used) ones.
Start To Read More
There's Indigo. Great but expensive. Surprisingly Montreal still has a host of amazing used book stores that have managed to survive over the years. If you prefer to be able to keep the books you read, check out some of these Montreal favorites.
Montreal's oldest English bookshop has to be mentioned. They have a great selection of most everything you think you would find along with books focusing on race, gender, and queer issues. There's even a lounge area to relax and read in.
Popular among McGill students this secondhand book store focuses on literature, philosophy & poetry, plus some textbooks. The store will also buy your books but are very selective with choices, so its best to check out the site or call ahead.
If you really want to save some money, we also have some of the best and most beautiful libraries across the city. There are even some you may have never heard of.
Check out this list for seven gorgeous hidden Montreal libraries!
Learn To Be More Productive
What's that saying, "The secret to getting ahead is getting started." But it's the getting started part that is the problem for a lot of us. Most of us.
While not new, the Pomodoro Technique has gained a lot of popularity in the last year. It's essentially a sequence of working on a project for 20-25 minutes and then taking a mandatory three to five-minute break. Longer breaks are taken after four to five loops. There are a ton of apps available, but if you want something free with built-in sound, take a look at Tide.
If you're more of a Reddit user, head over to r/Productivity to find out about strategies like being productive when feeling down or tackling large or stressful projects.
It's a great resource for anyone who wants to learn more.
Try Going Vegetarian
Why not? It doesn't mean you have to give up meat forever (I'm not sure I could do it), but going vegetarian a few days here and there could introduce you to a whole new array of tastes. In 2020 alone, the average family is expected to pay nearly $500 more in grocery costs with meat being the biggest offender.
Montreal has been popping up with vegetarian restaurants and grocery stores lately and is showing no signs of slowing down.
Try something new, head to Herbivores for all your vegan grocery needs.
For a nice meal, try the very popular vegan restaurant LOV.
Honorable mention to Montreal staple, Aux Vivres.
Up Your French Game
Without a solid comprehension of French, living in Montreal can be difficult. While it's not impossible to survive in English alone, you could be missing out on a lot of opportunities. There are a host of free or very inexpensive ways to up your French game from formal classes to hanging out with a few friends and a few drinks.
Do Something For Someone Else
Why not get that feel-good feeling of helping others without expecting anything in return? There is a multitude of shelters that need yearly volunteers to help out with everything from school tutoring to extra hands in the kitchen. Whatever skill you may have, a shelter probably needs it.
Find out more about places to volunteer!
Let's get a bit Marie Kondo and get rid of all those unnecessary things in our homes that could be helpful to others; clothes, jackets, household appliances, even your old prescription glasses are in need.
Find a donation clothes box near you!
So, what's on your New Year's resolution list?
