January isn't over and neither is your chance for a fresh start, even if you didn't make a New Year's resolution.
The big picture: Instead of resolving to overhaul your life on Jan. 1, author and happiness expert Gretchen Rubin recommends another approach: Choosing a theme word to guide your year.
How it works: Think about what you want out of the upcoming year, and select a theme that feels significant and motivating to you.
Brainstorm 10-15 words or phrases, including options that sound powerful, whimsical and have multiple meanings.
Optional: Once you find one that resonates, distill it into a visual symbol that can be put on a bulletin board or a mug — or that could pop up sporadically throughout the week.
Yes, but: If you actually want to accomplish a specific goal next year, you need to make a resolution that's "concrete and actionable" for it to stick, Rubin says.
Want to be more physically active? Don't say, "I'm going to start exercising."
Instead, say you're going to walk 20 minutes a day, do yoga classes three times a week or hike 50 new trails, she says.
