Eight things you MUST do at the start of the New Year

From stocking up on health foods to moving on from misunderstandings, here are a few vital to-dos for 2013.

You may be all set for the New Year's Eve parties, but spare some thought for the morning after and the many mornings thereafter. Are you ready for a new beginning?

Cross-check resolutions

So your resolution says you will go walking from January 1, make sure you have your tracks and walking shoes in place. You don't want a reason to not exercise on the first day of the year. If the resolutions say you will have fruit juice, stock the refrigerator on the last day of the year.

Put up the resolution list and make sure the logistics are in place.

Yes, you always think of going healthy. This is the time. After the New Year's party there is nothing left in the kitchen cabinet to binge on. All you see is diet khakras, peanuts, tofu and sprouts. Remove all the junk food from the kitchen and replace it with healthy snacks.

Start from the shoe rack and finish off at your jewellery box. Donate, give away or just dispose things you have not worn this year. You are not likely to wear them next year either.

Instead, create space for the new things that you want to buy in 2013. Be on a dispose mission to create more space in your house.

Buy your planners, diaries etc and start penning your thoughts and your accounts one day in advance, so that you only have to continue the next day. Let's not start too many things in the New Year.

Clear your desktop and organise the folders in your laptop. Use the word 'trash' often. While you are at it, don't forget to take a back-up. Remove old bills, notices and other chits from noticeboards and refrigerators

Do the same with your phone. Take a quick back up and delete unnecessary contacts. Change your ringtone and even the cover of your phone for a new look.

If you are like me, you have not changed the CDs in the car since you were born! Or you grab the first CD you lay your hands on.

So shuffle the CDs. Pull out the CDs buried at the bottom of your collection and put them in the car. NOW!

Organise your purse. Carry two small pouches which have just about everything you need from lip-gloss to your wallet. And when you need to change the bag just pull out the pouches...chances of you forgetting your credit cards, your office swipe card or keys are minimal.

Take your best bag to the office this January and keep it ready today. You don't want to spend the morning of the first working day of the New Year hunting for your wallet and getting to the office late.

Was this one of those years when friends made you unhappy, relationships were spoilt and you were hurt? This is the last day you should be thinking about it. It's a new start from tomorrow -- leave the past behind you. Have no ill feelings about anyone and in the true sense enter the New Year with a clean heart.

Don't forget to buy a 'be happy' poster. Put it up where you will catch sight of it frequently. Make sure you look at it everyday and smile to make your year better.