Every year, new resolutions are made, some harder to keep than others. The start of a new year is a refreshing way of looking at our goals for the year. I’ve made it a point every year, to keep my resolutions realistic and focus on gaining at least one new hobby. My best pointer to keep your resolution for the entire year is to actively talk about it with friends and make it visible in your home. The constant reminder is a vital component in maintaining motivation and focus towards your goal. I like to keep a journal and write something every day about the progress of achieving my goal. This year : I want to snowshoe , learn to belly dance & sew more. My first step at learning to belly dance began in my living room last night as I watched dance tutorials on You Tube. It was fun! Our digital age allows us to learn a new hobby at the click of a button, why not take full advantage of that this year? Use the internet in a different way than you’re used to! This is something I actively plan on doing this year. This week I read a fun article from Design *Sponge on how to keep and maintain your new year resolutions.

Here are a few helpful tips from our friends at Design *Sponge:

Tips for Keeping Your Resolutions

• Keep it simple and realistic. Don’t set goals that involve big purchases or a total change in your daily routine. Small changes are easiest to keep.
• Write them down and display them somewhere you’ll see them every day. The fridge door, the back of your front door or taped to the top of your laptop work well.
• Make it public! Sometimes, if you let people know about your goals, it’s the extra push you need to get them done. Try posting your resolutions on Facebook, Twitter or your blog or sending them in an e-mail to close friends.
• Make seasonal resolutions: Let yourself dream big and put things on the list that you might not get done over the winter but that will be enough to get you moving in the right direction. Then adjust and add more as the year progresses.
• Build a support group. If your friends and family know what your goals are, they’ll be better able to keep you on track.
• Reward yourself! Set small goals for yourself and enjoy a small reward when you meet goal points along the way.
• Allow yourself a slip up or two. A few small mistakes or setbacks are only natural. Don’t let them derail the long-term goal. Shrug them off and try again the next day.
• Helpful Apps: Mint (finance), Fantastical (calendar), 30/30 (awesome timed task app), Sleep Cycle (sleep better), Fooducate (know what you’re eating), Mindful Eating, Buddhify (mindful meditation)

- Here are a few resolutions from design sponge reader’s that resonated well with us.

What is your new year resolution? We look forward to a beautiful year, filled with positivity, creativity & love.

The run to NYC yesterday was a quick one so every minute had to be well worth ! Limited minutes could only mean one thing: I would have to stick with a theme. I picked Japanese and decided on the Noguchi museum in queens.

Isamu’s Noguchi’s sculptures are beautifully natural and innovative at the same time. Each piece deserves attention, the space and high commercial brick walls are completely non-descript from the outside and offer some great shelter from the hustle of NY: think slate and wooden interlocking sculptures in a zen garden. I plan on going back when I can spend some more time taking in the pieces and relaxing in the garden, well worth the trek to Long Island City !

The next and last stop given lack of time was UNIQLO . A trip to NY these days is not complete without a stopover at what many call the (better?) Japanese version of the GAP. Tailored cuts, quality craftsmanship and collaborations with everyone from JIL SANDER to Jun Takahashi are what you will find. The 89,000 store in midtown happens to be the largest retail location on 5th, I prefer SOHO and 34th, less overwhelming !

Inder

Walking along the streets of Montreal on garbage day is for some a nightmare, others a playground. For artist Alexis O’Hara, the latter rings true. His art exhibition running from Nov 29- Dec 20^th in Montreal features his new interactive sculpture piece titled “Squeeeequee! The Improbable Igloo”. Utilizing found materials, he creates an immersive sonic space constructed from 60-70 recycled speakers, all from Ecocentres or found on garbage day, creating a cozy, winter fort wonderland of sound. With carefully placed pillows and a microphone inside the sculpture, he creates a fun, inviting, memorable experience. This is your chance to echo your voice, with 4 microphones as the sole audio source for you and other howlers!

Shed your inhibitions & create dynamic sound! This cocoon of beauty from trash is a must see! Whether it’s nostalgic memories of winter fort building or making a cocoon , his sculpture is one to see and experience.

Squeeeequee! The Improbable Igloo will be on display at Maison de la Culture Maisonneuve (4200 Ontario E.), Nov. 29 – Dec. 20.