ShareThis

Friday, January 8, 2010

New year's Resolutions

Make a new year's resolution you plan to keep this year. What are the top resolutions for lesbians? Here are some ideas for lesbian new year's resolutions

1. Stop Smoking

Gays and lesbians smoke more than the population in general. According to a recent study 36% of gays and lesbians smoke, compared to 25% of the general population. It's no secret that smoking contributes to cancer, heart disease and other illnesses. Quitting smoking is hard, but it's probably the single most important thing you can do for your health

2. Come Out!

Resolve to come out to someone new in 2007. The more we come out, the better our self esteem. You'll be amazed at how much freer you feel when you don't have to hide or cover up any more.

3. Meet Someone/Find a Girlfriend

For single gals, meeting someone special can be a good resolution. Make a list of all the qualities you want in a potential partner, post it somewhere you can refer to it often and get out there and start dating. Don't settle for the first woman who woos you, unless of course, she has everything on your list and more!

4. Join the Fight for Lesbian/Women's Rights

What's the big issue where you live? Is your state battling for gay marriage? Are they trying to pass legislation to forbid discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace? Perhaps you want to start a gay employees group at your job, or join the one that already exists. Working towards a common cause will not only help move things in a positive direction for our community, it will make you feel better about yourself.

5. Nuture Your Relationships with Friends and Lovers

Let's face it, without friends, our lives would be pretty miserable. Why not resolve to spend more time with our friends and lovers this year? Do good deeds for them, help them move, listen when they are experiencing heart ache or just call them up to see how they're doing. Everyone has flaws, try and see beyond theirs and focus on the good qualities that you love about them.

6. Volunteer

It may be cliché but it's true. Volunteering our time makes us feel better about ourselves. Look into mentoring a lesbian teen, helping a lesbian with cancer or walking dogs at the local animal shelter.

7. Set a Goal - Make it Positive

If you want change in your life, you have to visualize it before it can happen. I'm a firm believer in setting positive goals and taking small steps to make them come true. If you hate your job, don't just complain about it. Think about what your ideal job would be and picture yourself doing it. Imagine how much money you'll make, how you'll feel in a better job and how you'll look doing it. Make a collage or draw a picture and post it somewhere you can refer to it often. Meditate on it or say affirmations. What ever the goal is: relationship, financial, school - visualizing them helps them come true.

8. Pursue a Passion

Have you always wanted to play the violin? Look into taking lessons. Love to sing? Join a community choir. Dreamed of being an Olympic athlete? Join the women's recreational basketball league. Whatever your passion, don't let it die. Nurture it. Resolve to do at least one thing that is purely for you and purely for joy.

9. Save Money/Put a Curb on Spending

If you're like most Americans, you have debt. Credit card debt is the worst. Resolve this year to stop buying things you don't need and to whittle away at that credit card debt.

10. Exercise/Eat Right

Staying healthy at any age begins with eating a balanced diet, maintaining proper weight, and a regular physical fitness. Lesbians have a higher rate of obesity than the national average. According to the National Women's Health Information Center, lesbians have a higher body mass than heterosexual women. This places them at higher risk for heart disease and other obesity-related issues such as premature death. Additionally, some suggest that lesbians are less concerned about weight issues than heterosexual women. Make a resolution for your health and start a diet or exercise program that you can stick with.