Oops, I haven’t blogged since last year. I know, I just made a “cuñado” joke. Do you know what it means to be a “cuñado” Spanish? In Spain we say someone is a “cuñado” when they talk and give their opinion about everything, even if they don’t have much idea of what they are stating or when they have old or politically incorrect thoughts.

So, you know, if you ever hear a Spaniard saying that someone else is a “brother-in-law” don’t think he is talking about his wife’s brother. Well, after this curiosity about our language, I would like to share with you some of the best options for you to add to your list of resolutions for 2023.

I have been writing down my goals for the new year for a very long time. I like to think that every January a new cycle begins and that I have a new opportunity to face new challenges and continue to grow both personally and professionally. For that reason, I leave you some of the ones I consider most useful.

Read more: yes, I confess that every December 31st I tell myself that I must read more. The truth is that I love to read, but I find it hard to find the time. So, if you’re like me, I encourage you to make it your new year’s goal to read more.

Also, if you want to aim higher and you are studying a language, you can make a resolution to read books in a language other than your own. For example, all the students from our school who have come to Spain to learn Spanish, we recommend reading this selection of books that we include in our AIL Madrid bookstore and they notice a big change in their writing level and are delighted to be able to learn Spanish vocabulary.

Learning a new language: I have a pending account to continue learning German and I know that many of our students have the same purpose as in January the number of international students who come to our school to do an intensive Spanish course in Madrid increases a lot.

Eating healthy: I am not going to talk about the cliché of joining the gym or doing sports, although anyone who has joined the gym knows that January is the month where you are not going to be able to follow your routines.

So, I think eating healthy is a simpler resolution and one that can be kept throughout the year. Plus, both Instagram and Tiktok have a thousand very healthy and easy-to-make recipes that will make meeting your goals a breeze.

Spend less time on social networks: I have been especially struck by the fact that many of my friends have set this goal for this new year. There is no doubt that we are spending more and more time on social networks and looking at our cell phone screens. Therefore, it is important to set a maximum time to dedicate time to other hobbies, tasks or to our family and friends.

Dedicate at least 1 hour a day to yourself: from a walk, to a facial or hair care routine. If you like to meditate, do it. If, on the other hand, you are more into walking for an hour with your headphones blaring and listening to the Bee Gees, go ahead. The important thing is that you spend some time with yourself, it will surely help you.

As you can see, the year’s resolutions are small challenges that we set ourselves to keep improving and make this year a memorable one.

What goals have you set for 2023? I hope learning Spanish is among them 🙂

See you next time!

Maria