Whether you started at the stroke of midnight on January 1st or you’re dragging your feet and planning to do it in June, a New Year’s resolution is an opportunity to positively make a change in your life.
By the middle of January, many of those hopes and dreams have become a distant memory. And even for those who continue after that, all intentions of meeting those goals tend to diminish by February. The problem isn’t so much a lack of willpower or interest — although those are certainly necessary to make any goal a reality — but the quality of the resolution. Sticking to a resolution is so much easier when it’s achievable.
With a little bit of inspiration, the desire to make a change, and some helpful tips and tricks, these new year’s resolution ideas will give yourself and your life the fresh restart it deserves!
23 New Year Resolution Ideas
- Work out more
The classic new year resolution! But working out more help with overall health. Whether that’s doing 30 minutes of cardio or as many pushups as you physically can, exercise can build a healthier body, heart and mind!
- Eat healthier
Just as important as working out, eating healthier to rebuild your body after a run or weightlifting is necessary for contributing to overall health. Research new meals and foods that will benefit your body, heart and mind!
- Refine finances
Draw up a simple budget each month, distributing money between necessities, savings, and discretionary expenditure. Doing this will allow you to take control of your spending habits and plan for any emergencies.
- Write in a dream journal
If you’re fortunate enough to remember your dream, writing them down in a dream journal has been proven to add benefits to your mental health. Learn more about the benefits of journaling and how this activity can contribute to your overall health and happiness.
- Meditation more
Meditation has been around for hundreds of years. According to Healthline.com, when you train the mind to focus and redirect thoughts, you’re able to discover many health benefits such as reducing stress and anxiety and enhancing self-awareness and emotional health.
- Go outside daily
Sometimes we take for granted how beautiful the outdoors are. It’s simple and free to take a walk down the street or lay down on the grass to stare at the sky. It’s important to take the time to breathe in the fresh air.
- Practice manifestation
According to InStyle.com, “manifesting is the new resolution-setting,” and means “putting your intention towards something that you hope will happen, then watching it happen in real life.” Rather than making predictions about what will happen nationwide and worldwide, think about what you would like to see occur in your own life (with the hope that your ‘prediction’ will come true)!
- Build self-confidence
Confidence goes a long way! Being confident in your work, relationships and every day social interactions creates eternal growth for building up one’s self-esteem!
- Start investing
Whether you’re interested and fiscally-able to invest in the stock market or in investment properties or even in your own personal savings account, the long term monetary goals when it comes to investing can bring you financial growth and stability!
- Be more kind
Not only to others and those around you, but also to yourself! Smile more at strangers, pay for someone’s order in the drive-thru, spread positivity and happiness on a daily basis!
- Reduce screen time
While social media and the online world can bring a lot of benefits in regards to connecting with friends, family and instant news, a social media detox might bring you more long-term benefits for your mental health!
- Read (or listen!) more
Pick up a new book! Or find the audio version and listen to it while you go on a walk or commute to work. There are so many amazing books that are yet to be read!
- Meet new people
Online! At coffee shops! At the local park! Talking to and meeting new people is a good way to practice those social skills, get new perspectives and find great people worth spending time with.
- Find a passion
Passions come in all forms of activities and skills! Sometimes it can be hard to figure out what you’re passionate about; however, exploring different opportunities and willing to try new things can open many doors for finding that passion.
- Rebuild relationships
Reaching out to friends and family you might have lost touch with can help rebuild those relationships. A simple text or phone call to check in on a friend can make their day that much brighter. Surround yourself with people who will add value to your life.
- Save more money
It can be as easy as putting a set amount of money each month into a savings account or depositing extra change laying around into a keepsake box that is then safely hidden away from any family members or roommates! Try saving $1 a day and you’ll find a nice surprise after 365 days!
- Learn something new
A new language, a new skill, a new sport or card game! Even if it’s just learning new fun facts, learning something new each day will make each day more exciting and more knowledgeable!
- Volunteer and give back
Find a local volunteering organization to share your time and talents with. Give back to your community and give back to those in need.
- Create art
Art comes in many different forms and mediums. Create art through painting, drawing, music, photography, filmography and dancing! Share your art with those who love and support you.
- Travel to new places
Explore new places whether that’s in your own hometown or overseas! Be a local in your own city, support local businesses and learn the culture of where you’ve built your life.
- Drink more water
We underestimate the power of hydration. The simple task of drinking more water in your day to day life can lead to amazing health benefits for your mental and physical health. You can read more about the 7 Science-Based Health Benefits of Drinking Enough Water on Healthline.com
- Take daily walks
Life can be busy. Between work/school, handling your everyday tasks and keeping in touch with loved ones, we tend to forget about our own physical & mental health. Taking a daily walk around the block or down the street and back can greatly improve your mind and body each day.
- Get out of your comfort zone
Challenge yourself every day. An important way to grow is by getting out of your comfort zone and being eager to build the life you’ve always dreamt of having. Do what scares you. Be with people who encourage you. Be the person you’ve always wanted to be.
How to Keep Your New Year Resolutions
Sure, it’s easier said than done. But if you start the new year off right and are willing to begin with these 4 easy steps, you’ll be on the right track to accomplishing your resolutions!
Step 1. Make a New Year’s Resolution List
When you begin making your resolution list, try to think of bad habits that are negatively impacting your day-to-day life. If you’re like most people, you can probably come up with a few right off the top of your head. Some are more difficult to give up than others, so start by trying to choose one that really bothers you, but that is attainable, and make it your New Year’s resolution to work on throughout the year. Mindset is important when coming up with a resolution. If you aren’t willing to change or the challenge is too difficult, you won’t be motivated to stick with it. If you truly want to start the new year working on the bad habit, you have to put in the time and energy.
Step 2. Establish Your Goals & Write Them Down
It’s the greatest feeling when we can cross off our accomplishments when they’re completed. Whether it’s a small goal like cleaning up your kitchen every night or a big goal like striving to save money each month, try and write down everything you hope to accomplish in a notebook or journal. Larger resolutions can be difficult to work towards each day, so establishing steps can help keep you on track. If it fits your resolution, set monthly, weekly, and daily steps. Some resolutions, like drinking more water, might even require an hourly step. This puts you in a mindset to see consistent progress throughout the year and an opportunity to reflect on how the resolution is impacting your life.
Step 3. Reflect Throughout the Year
If you’re not learning from your resolution, you’re not doing it right! Keeping track of your daily, weekly and monthly progress is extremely beneficial as it shows your continued dedication to want to change. It also gives you the opportunity to look back on what you’ve accomplished so far. If you’re ever struggling to meet those daily steps, look back on the days and weeks that have passed for continued motivation.
Step 4. Reward Yourself!
Completing a goal goes beyond crossing it off your list. Whether you did your resolution for twelve hours, twelve days, or twelve months, you should reward yourself for making that first step towards a positive lifestyle change. Setting a New Year’s resolution is typically not an easy task. According to research from the University of Scranton, only 8% of people achieve their New Year goals. The real reward is knowing you’re improving yourself, your year and your life!
It’s easy to fall into a mental trap that tells you that you have to do something new and different in the new year. But remember that “new” doesn’t mean “big” — and it definitely doesn’t mean unreasonable. Set small, sensible New Year resolutions and reward yourself when you achieve them. You’ll feel great about your accomplishments and look back on them at the end of the year with pride!
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in January 2021 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Nicole is our Content Strategist. She enjoys long walks to Taco Bell, rollerblading into the sunset, and eating Reese’s Cups for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Find her writing about iPhone cases, holiday card messaging and even music festival tips!
