Everyone is familiar with New Year's Resolutions… And most of us are familiar with how quickly they get forgotten as the holidays wind down, work is resumed, and life goes on as normal. But resolutions don't have to be as droll as the usual "I'm going to lose weight" or "I'm going to organize the refrigerator." In Shanghai, where options are endless, resolutions can be a fun way to try something new. So take that leap of faith this year and dedicate yourself to just five easy changes that can make a huge difference.

1) Learn something useful
Decide to pursue something you didn't learn in school and get moving on something that will come in handy today, tomorrow, or even a year from now. Want to learn how to cook? Join a three hour cooking class every Tuesday evening at the Restaurant-Ecole Institut for around 400 RMB per session. You'll have the chance to eat what you made, as well as sample wines that pair well with each dish. Always wanted to articulate your thoughts clearly to a crowd? Join the Lighthouse Shanghai Toastmasters Club, where you'll learn the art of public speaking to advance both your social standing and career.

Restaurant-Ecole Institut Paul BocuseView In Map
Add: 379 Baotun Lu, near Zhongshan Nan Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市保屯路379号, 近中山南路
Tel: 021 3307 1102
Opening hours: Sun, 11:30-14:00; Wed-Sat, 11:30-14:00 (lunch) & 18:00-late (dinner)
Website: www.restaurantecole-shanghai.com

Lighthouse Shanghai Toastmasters ClubView In Map
Add: Room 1008, Hua Sheng Building, 398 Hankou Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市汉口路398号华盛大厦1008
Opening hours: Every Saturday, 15:00-17:00
Tel: 021 136 4174 6990
E-mail: laurazhangsh@hotmail.com

2) Learn something not so useful
While it's certainly handy to learn something that can potentially save you time/money/headaches, sometimes the real fun can be had by learning something that's completely unrelated to everyday life. So throw caution to the wind and embark on learning a skill that has no practical application. Always wanted to try your hand at pottery? Shanghai Pathways offers a two hour pottery class where you can learn the basics of pottery tools, forms, and techniques. Admire the great paintings you see in Shanghai galleries? Learn how to perfect your brushstrokes, or venture into paper cutting or ink painting at Colorbox. You can sign up for a one day class or join an ongoing group.

Shanghai Pathways View In Map
Add: 1/F, 106 Huangpu Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市黄浦路106号1楼
Tel: 021 189 1793 9860
Opening hours: Sun-Sat, 09:00-18:00
Website: www.shanghaipathways.com

ColorboxView In Map
Add: 1/F, Bldg 20, 383 Xiangyang Nan Lu, near Jianguo Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市襄阳南路383弄20号1楼, 近建国路
Tel: 021 6467 7002
Opening hours: Mon-Sat, 09:00-18:00
Website: www.colorbosarts.com

3) Embarrass yourself in public
Yes, embarrassing yourself my sound like the exact opposite of what you should do in public, but in fact it's a great way to liberate yourself and find confidence you never knew you had. So gather up your courage and participate in that next open mic night that you see advertised. Windows Scoreboard holds one every Monday at 20:00 and they allow everything from singing to playing instruments to stand-up comedy to poetry. Or join a writing group like H.A.L. Groupthink, where you can share your writing (don't worry, it doesn't have to be good!) and make friends at the same time.

Windows ScoreboardView In Map
Add: 11/F, 527 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Chengdu Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市淮海中路527号11楼, 近成都路
Tel: 021 5382 7757
Opening hours: Daily, 16:30-04:00

H.A.L. Groupthink
Website: http://www.haliterature.com

4) Do something that scares you
Declare 2013 the year of scaring the crap out of yourself! Challenging yourself and your sense of boundaries is a fantastic way to really see what you're made of. For example, try paragliding lessons for around 400 RMB per day to prepare for exhilarating weekend trips to places like Fuyang with instructor Jim Qin, who has over eleven years of experience. Flying not your thing? Rock climbing at Shanghai Stadium Rock Climb Sports Center lets you climb all day for a mere 50 RMB (shoe and harness rentals are 10 RMB extra). Not only is it exhilarating, it's also a great way to get in shape. Speaking of which…

Jim Qin
Tel: 021 138 1729 7925
Email: joyvario@gmail.com

Shanghai Stadium Rock Climb Sports CenterView In Map
Add: Shanghai Indoor Stadium, Bldg 6, 666 Tianyaoqiao Lu, near Lingling Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市天钥桥路666号, 上海体育馆6号楼, 近零陵路
Tel: 021 6426 6666
Opening hours: Mon-Fri, 13:00-22:00; Sat-Sun, 10:00-22:00
Website: www.rockclimb.cn

5) Get off your a$@!
Take a break from boozing and watching pirated DVD's with some physical activity that will really get your heart pumping. And that doesn't mean it has to be a boring old gym routine. Got rhythm (or want to get some)? Take a look at Jazz Du Funk's myriad dance class offerings. You can find everything from hip hop to ballet to jazz to tap and everything in between. Or go the more intimidating route by taking boxing classes at Golden Glove Boxing Club. Join a group, invite your friends to form your own class, or go one on one with a personal trainer. It doesn't really matter what you do – just get moving!

Jazz Du FunkView In Map
Add: 5/F, Lane 113 Changshu Lu, near Changle Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市常熟路113弄5楼, 靠近长乐路
Tel: 021 5403 9387
Opening hours: Sun, 12:00-18:00; Mon-Thurs, 14:00-21:00; Sat, 10:45-16:00
Website: www.jazzdufunk.com

Golden Glove Boxing ClubView In Map
Add: Room 1629-1630, 16L, 68 Xinqiao Lu, Near Xinzha Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市新桥路68号16L楼1629－1630室 ) 靠近新闸路
Tel: 021 5171 7517
Opening hours: Mon-Fri, 16:00-22:00; Sat, 10:00-17:00
Website: http://www.goldenglovesgym.com

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Keywords: Shanghai New Year’s resolutions resolution ideas Shanghai Shanghai rock climbing Shanghai open mic