the OTHER S I D E
january 2025
Rule of Life
It’s that time of year when we feel excited to make New Year’s resolutions. We start the year sure that we will stick to our goals and make changes to our habits, hobbies, and way of life. But often, by mid-January, we forget about those resolutions. So, what if this year, instead of making resolutions that can feel like more work and stress, you focused on a “Rule of Life”? A Rule of Life is a simple, intentional plan to help you keep your most important values at the center of everything you do. It’s a way TO “begin with the end in mind” or to think about the big picture and what you want to achieve in the future. You can start by thinking about different areas of your life, like: • Health/Personal Life (getting enough sleep, exercising, eating well, hobbies, money) • Relationships (friends, family, neighbors, romantic partners) • Community (volunteering, school clubs, helping others) • Work/School (homework, current education, future education, learning new things, developing skills) Next, you can write a vision statement for each area. This is a goal you want to reach. Then, you can make a list of small actions that will help you reach that goal. Here’s an example: Vision Statement: I am a human being with limits and needs. I want to be healthy and feel balanced in my life by taking care of my body, mind, and emotions. Commitments: • I sleep 8 hours each night (9:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.). • I do my homework right after school (3 to 4 p.m.) so I have more time to spend with family and friends. • I exercise 5 times a week (Mon—Fri from 4 to 5 p.m.). • I check my spending every Friday and talk about money with a trusted adult once a month. • I reflect on my week and plan for the next week every Sunday (1 to 3 p.m.). Remember, the Rule of Life is meant to help YOU, not make you feel stressed. You can change it to fit your life. Sometimes, it helps to listen to your favorite music while you write it down or talk to a friend or teacher about your goals. Don’t let it overwhelm you—just find what inspires you to keep moving forward and make progress in your life as you “begin with the end in mind”!