Thinking about putting a list of New year’s resolutions together? Here’s some ideas for items you might want to consider adding to your list.
Get a HIV test and sexual health check.
If you’re sexually active it’s recommended that you get a check up for STI’s every three to six months. You can get one done at your local doctor or guys can head down to the M-Clinic in Leederville. With rapid HIV testing now available it doesn’t take long to find out the results.
Volunteer at a community organisation.
Give some of your time to a community group, there are volunteer opportunities at Q-Life: the LGBTIQ phone counselling service, the WA AIDS Council, The Freedom Centre, Perth Homeless Support Group and RTRFM 92.1.
Do some spring cleaning and donate some goods to charity.
Head to your wardrobe and see if there are clothes that you are never going to wear again, bundle them up and drop them off at your local Op-shop. Got some Christmas gifts that you’re not totally in love with – donate them to a charity, sort through the kitchen cupboards and get rid off all the things you never really use.
Make time to connect with friends outside social media
With social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram giving us regular updates on all the things are friends are doing it feels like we’re in constant contact – but when did you last sit down and had spend some genuine time with friends? Think of five friends you haven;t spent time with lately and make an appointment to catch up for a coffee.
Spend some time in the sun.
Get out of the house more, head to the beach or the local park, gather some mates and go for a hike. Put down the video games and mobile phone and spend some time in the sun, just don’t forget to slip, slop and slap.
Subscribe to a community organisation.
It’s great to volunteer time to community groups but if your time poor maybe you can just help out by subscribing or donating some cash. RTRFM, the home of LGBTI radio program ‘All Things Queer’ relies on subscriber contributions, or head to the Australian Marriage Equality website and buy a new t-shirt to show your support.
Share your expertise.
Are you really good at something, maybe you make the best cheese cake, or draw really well, or maybe you love solving jigsaw puzzles. Share your knowledge through a blog or social media posts, make a short video, or invite some mates over to learn the skill your great at.
Support local artists
When was the last time you saw a local band or headed off to see some homegrown theatre? Forget watching TV (it can be recorded) head out and see some real local artists, with Fringe World just around the corner it a great time to get into local creative outlets. Sign up to see every play at The Blue Room this year, or dedicate on night a week to heading out to see a local band.
Make some personal gifts.
Let someone know your thinking about them by making a simple gift. Maybe it’s some homemade chocolate or soaps, make some candles, create your own recipe book.
Spend some time with your pets.
Take the dog for a walk to somewhere you’ve never been before, find the brush and give the cat a long grooming session, spend some time with your pet rabbit (or whatever it is you have).
OIP Staff, Image by Green Chameleon at Stock Snap
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