New Year’s Resolutions. We’ve all made them…to work out regularly, to stick to a budget, to eat better. These are all great goals. And they can pay off if we stick to them. However, the thing about strict resolutions is that when we break them, we feel like we failed, and it becomes easy to ditch them altogether.

So this year I want to start with some small habits that can make a difference in my life—even if I don’t do the best job of always sticking with them. Here are a few resolutions I am making for myself this year.

• To Spend Less Time on My Phone

When I reflect back on 2016 this time next year, I probably won’t remember how many likes my Instagram picture got or how many Twitter followers I’ve gained. I believe we can all spend less time looking at screens, and more time enjoying the people and places around us. 

• To Spend Less Time Worrying

As author Corrie ten Boom said in The Hiding Place, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”

•  To Complain Less and Do More

My first instinct is to vent about the world’s problems instead of thinking of ways I can help change it. Instead of complaining, I want to work on solutions that can actually fix the things that are broken.

• To Read More Good Books

There is potentially life-changing wisdom in the pages written by some of humanity’s great minds. All I have to do is take the time to read them.

• To Cut Myself Some Slack

Over the years I’ve tried to accomplish things but ended up falling short. This year, when I fall short, drop the ball or let down people I care about, I will do everything I can to make it right, and then move on and show myself grace.

Did you make any resolutions for the year?