Like most of us, your New Year’s resolutions are probably run-of-the-mill: be nicer to people, get in shape, and so on. Easier said than done. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Be it the health of body or soul, we’ll give you hints on where to start. Behold the guide to giving a serious try to your New Year resolutions in Beijing.
Health
Veganuary
China’s vegan population is growing, as can be seen from the vegan burgers, restaurants, and markets sprouting up around town. Thanks to that, going vegan seems less and less intense. And also, Veganuary is now here! Sign up here (English and Chinese) to get daily tips, emails, recipes, and whatever else the journey takes from the Veganuary team.
Guava Pass
Finding a place to work out that would not be boring torture or drain your wallet may prove hard, and the lack of bilingual options can also be a challenge for expats. That’s all the more reason to get a month-long membership with Guava Pass, which gives you full access to over a thousand classes in Beijing. Classes on offer include ballet, yoga, circuit training, HIIT (high-intensity interval training), Pilates, and Martial arts.
TRIBE Nutrition
Whether you need to slim down or want to try a vegetarian meal, TRIBE have it all, and bring it to your door every day. Everybody who signs up for a TRIBE Nutrition meal plan becomes a member of a very special club which means you’ll get invited to some events, activities, and giveaways organized by TRIBE and their partners, like fitness and wellness classes, TRIBE merchandise giveaways, and parties with a focus on organic fun.
Learning
Mandarin Courses
Don’t put it off any longer—2019 is the year to boost your Mandarin! The joy of finally being able to independently order food, buy tickets, or befriend your neighbors is the biggest payback for the hours bent over a book or rolling your tongue into new shapes. Purple Bamboo Chinese School has a special New Year’s gift which includes free classes whenever you purchase Chinese courses (add WeChat ID: PurpleBamboo-Laura for more information). Also, Culture Yard is offering discounted Mandarin courses this winter for a variety of learning levels. Starting January 7, the course will last four weeks, three hours per day. Meanwhile,
Read more
Finding the books you are looking for in Beijing is not always easy. Amazon and Taobao can be helpful, but even those sometimes fail. Then there are times when you simply want to read something you found while browsing the endless shelves of a nicely-decorated bookstore. Apart from The Bookworm, there are several popular bookstores around the city offering a good collection of English books. Our recommendation list: Page One, Sanlian Taofen Bookstore, Wangfujing Foreign Language Bookstore, and One Space.
Experiences
Animal Welfare
In need of some puppy love? Getting a pet is a bigger responsibility than expected, which leads to shelters filling up with abandoned dogs and cats. Beijing has quite a few animal aid organizations running. Get in touch with Little Adoption Shop and ask about volunteering possibilities there or at other rescue places if you want to donate your time rather than money.
Volunteering
After getting so much, a new year is a good time to give back. Check our blog for the volunteering opportunities around Beijing to donate your time and put a smile on a child’s face.
Minimize
The feeling of uneasiness at home is more common than we think. The place where we should feel safe and sound too often grows uncomfortable because of clutter. Donate what you don’t have room for through your WeChat second-hand groups, or join the Clothing Auction group (leave a comment if you’d like to join the group) which hosts clothing swaps regularly to get rid of clothes you haven’t worn for the last six months.
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Images: Fluentu, Veganuary, Acupuncture, Little Adoption Shop, courtesy of venues
