The New Year is fast approaching. It’s an exciting time filled with endless possibilities.
With a new year, you have the opportunity to completely transform your life.
So what is your New Year’s resolution?
Not surprisingly, weight loss is the most popular New Year’s resolution.
Every year after January 1st, gyms and workout facilities see a huge jump in membership.
That’s because everyone is trying to stick to their resolution of losing weight.
Don’t get me wrong, losing weight is a great goal to have that leads to many life benefits.
However, losing weight sucks as a New Year’s resolution!
Within a month, 36% of people abandon their New Year’s resolution of losing weight.
How about you forget about losing weight?! Don’t focus on your appearance and a resolution that’s results based.
A scale is not going to reflect how amazing you are. It’s just a number.
Why not focus on a resolution entirely different from losing weight.
Here are some brand new resolutions to help inspire you to become a better person this New Year!
Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you click on them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.
1. Remove Toxic People
I start this list with a serious issue… Whether you see or believe it. Toxic people in your life ruin your mental health.
Not always do we realize someone in our life is toxic.
We just keep going through the motions and giving that person chance after chance.
But a time needs to come when you just cannot take anymore. Enough is enough!
But how do you know if you have a toxic person or relationship in your life?
Here are some common signs:
- They don’t listen to you even when your telling them your feelings
- They pull the victim card (every situation is someone else’s fault but theirs)
- They are judgmental
- They constantly need attention
- They are disrespectful toward you
- They are physically and emotionally abusive
- They never say sorry
- You get in a negative mode around him or her
If one or more of these signs is seen in any person you know, think about spending less time with him or her.
With toxic people, your emotions and overall mental health become drained.
You’ll find yourself after a while lacking in self-esteem because of something they said in a disrespectful tone.
I’m sorry to say it, but these toxic people do not deserve your time and attention.
While you don’t have to eliminate them completely, at least set healthy boundaries with them.
This will ensure your feelings are clear about the way you want to be treated.
2. Change Your Diet
This is one New Year’s resolution many people make each year.
While it’s similar to losing weight as a resolution, changing your diet focuses on how you feel. It’s not based off numeric results like losing weight.
Think about this…
If you change your diet by simply eating less junk food and adding more fruits and vegetables, you will automatically see a change in your weight.
You don’t have to buy a gym membership and then get discouraged a month later because you’re not seeing results.
Changing your diet will change the way you feel about yourself.
When you eliminate junk food and substitute with healthy food options, you gain confidence and increase your health.
3. Read More
“I have lived a thousand lives and I’ve loved a thousand loves. I’ve walked on distant worlds and seen the end of time. Because I read.” -George R. R. Martin
If you’re unfamiliar with who George R. R. Martin is… Then you need to pick up a book!
He is the creator of Game of Thrones. Not the HBO series, but the author behind the show’s creation.
I’m an avid reader. Every night before bed, I turn my book light on and read at least one chapter.
I can’t remember a time in my life where I was not living an adventurous life through a book.
Books inspire me not only to use my imagination, but to also become a better writer!
And I can bet they will do the same for you!
Make it a New Year’s resolution to read at least one book this year. Your mind will thank you.
And you’ll have the incredible privilege of reading someone else’s masterpiece.
A lot of time, energy and creativity goes into writing a book.
I myself am into high fantasy books, also known as epic fantasy.
What is high or epic fantasy you ask? High fantasy books are a subgenre of fantasy… Except much better!
Within the realm of high fantasy books, you have an entirely new world to read about.
These books are all about world building. The creativity behind this subgenre is incredible!
Here’s the high fantasy book series I am currently reading!
4. Get More Zzzz’s
Do you suffer with insomnia? Or do you find it hard to get adequate sleep?
I don’t have to tell you by now just how important sleep is. The more adequate sleep you get, the better your life will be.
Sleep has a profound effect on our physical and mental health.
Without quality sleep, you are putting your body at risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.
Save yourself! Make it a New Year’s resolution to focus on getting quality sleep.
It’s not selfish. It’s essential to your health!
Instead of staying up late in the evening to finish your favorite TV shows, head to bed early after your children have fallen sleep.
Make improved sleep a priority in you life.
If you have troubles falling asleep you could give this sleep aid device a try!
5. Minimalize
In today’s society, people are judged by the things they own.
The more expensive or nice things you own, the more value people give you.
It’s essentially a shallow way to see how successful people are.
Although it’s great to have a nice car and a large house, it doesn’t make you YOU!
You are more than the possessions you own!
Instead of wanting to buy more and more things, minimize the things you buy.
Every time you want to buy something extravagant or beyond your means, simply ask yourself “Do I really need this?”
6. Declutter Your House
Overtime (especially with kids) your house becomes full of clutter. Do you have a draw that’s specifically for junk? I think everyone does.
Make it a New Year’s resolution to declutter your house!
Not only will it feel great to have more space in your house, you’ll feel accomplished because your house is neat and tidy.
Just start with one room at a time!
A simple way to organize the kids room is by using a storage bin system to organize and store toys.
7. Learn A New Skill
This can be hard to complete for a New Year’s resolution. Life is hectic.
Between work, your spouse and kids, taking time for yourself to learn a new skill always comes last.
But it’s a new year! Transform yourself and increase your confidence by learning a new skill.
A new skill will not only give you a sense of pride in yourself, but could improve your work and personal life.
For instance, try learning a new language!
Whether you’re self-taught or take language classes, a second language could lead to a new promotion at work or help you communicate with others better.
8. Say Goodbye To Pessimism
Sometimes, life can beat you down. But you don’t have to be defeated!
Find simple ways to change the way you think by removing pessimism.
Pessimistic thoughts are any negative thinking you have. Stop thinking so negative all the time!
Make it a resolution to change your thought patterns.
9. Prioritize Your Friends And Family
Examine your life and see which friends and family mean the most to you.
Which people support your dreams and decisions in life?
Who goes out of their way to try to spend quality time with you?
Those are the people you need to surround yourself with more.
Lessen your time with individuals who only come around when it benefits them.
By examining who’s most important in your life, you create a small, yet caring supportive system in your life.
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10. Conquer A Fear
What’s your worst fear? Is it something you can work on overcoming?
One of my biggest fears is enclosed spaces. I’ve been claustrophobic for years.
But I feel the last couple years, my fear has gotten better. I can now ride in an elevator (for a short while).
Honestly, I didn’t go out of my way to conquer this fear.
But my husband finally told me that he no longer would take flights of stairs because we had our son now.
It was much easier to take the elevator.
Yes, it still scares me. But now I just look at the ground and slowly count the floors we passed till we reach our desired floor.
Although my fear of enclosed spaces has gotten better, I still need a lot of work.
Why not make it a New Year’s resolution to conquer a fear you have?
11. Put Your Mental Health First
I cannot stress enough how important your mental health is. It affects every aspect of your life.
How you view the world around you… The people you interact with… And how you feel about yourself.
If you’ve been lacking confidence this past year or noticing an increase in depression or anxiety, then change the way you take care of yourself.
Take care of your mental health. Say no to the things and people who sadden you or give you anxiety.
There’s no room for that in your life!
12. Give Back
You can always donate your old clothes. But one of the best ways to give back to your community is through volunteering.
Such places as soup kitchens, homeless shelters and animal shelters are always taking volunteers.
Of course, if you can’t find the time to donate, you can always give by providing necessities or money.
Whatever you choose to do when it comes to giving back, you will feel proud of yourself!
13. Go Where You Always Wanted To Go
Is there a destination you’ve always wanted to travel to, but keep putting it off year after year.
How about making this year THE year you take your dream vacation!
Even if you can’t take that dream vacation to Europe you always wanted, you could always compromise…
By taking a vacation that’s more affordable or closer to home.
There’s no reason you can’t take the whole family on a cruise.
Many cruises have daycare so you and your spouse can sneak away for a while! Just saying…
14. Learn To Budget
Before my husband and I got together, he didn’t know how to budget money well.
Yes, he had enough to pay bills, but yet didn’t have enough to stock his pantry shelves.
This changed very quickly once we got serious about each other. I taught him how to budget with the 50/30/20 rule.
If you’re unfamiliar with this rule, it’s a very simple rule to live by for budgeting your income.
50% of your budget is spent on needs (house, car, insurance, etc.).
30% is spent on wants (gifts, dinners out, ect.) and 20% goes to savings.
Remember, you need to know your after-tax income in order to follow this rule every month!
Honestly, this is a simple budgeting rule to follow, but certain months make it harder like during the holidays.
If you find your monthly budget (almost every month) is out of control, make it a New Year’s resolution to budget correctly.
Learning to budget is one of the most important skills you can have in life!
If you need help learning how to budget your money, here’s some great books to explain budgeting and even help you pay off debt!
15. Let Go Of Stress
This is very similar to taking care of your mental health. Don’t let stress run your life anymore.
I know taking care of the constant needs of a family is stressful, but that stress doesn’t have to control you!
Choose to let go of things that cause you anxiety and depression and hang on to stress that motivates you.
Some stress in life is actually good for you! Stress let’s us know things need to change in our lives.
Or stress can motivate to accomplish things you never thought you could.
But, if it’s stress that affects your mental health… Eliminate it this year!
16. Be More Responsible
Responsibility is something that comes with time. You can’t just change everything overnight.
Start with one thing at a time.
Make it a resolution to be more responsible by being on time to appointments.
Learn to spend money responsibly. Take on more responsibility with the housework or at the office.
17. Dream Big
Have you ever felt like you’re dreaming too small? Maybe you’re just going through the motions in life.
There’s nothing wrong with that!
But if you feel like you were meant to do more, than do it!
One of my biggest dreams was to publish a book. While I haven’t sold a million copies, I organized and wrote it on my own.
It’s a huge accomplishment and I’m proud it!
What is a dream you have in your heart? Make it happen this year by making it a New Year’s resolution!
18. Learn To Cook
Some people are literally culinary chefs and other’s burn Mac n’ Cheese.
If you’re someone who burns Mac n’ Cheese, you need to learn how to cook.
I know it’s very easy to have dinner ordered or rely on food box subscriptions nowadays.
But here’s two great reasons to learn to cook:
- You will save money
- You will eat healthier
19. Adopt A Furry Friend
Sometimes the best friend you can have in your life is not even human!
Cats and dogs give you unconditional love. In return, you can get a feeling of fulfillment and decrease your loneliness.
If you’ve ever thought about adopting a pet, the New Year is a perfect time to make a pet commitment!
Did you know 2.7 million dogs and cats are put down each year in the United States?
Although you would probably only adopt one pet, you will change that pet’s whole world!
On top of that, you’re saving more than just one pet.
The money you spend to purchase your next best friend go towards funding the care of future shelter animals.
20. Start A Savings Plan
Do you have savings? At the very least, it’s suggested to have three months worth of savings.
That three months should cover all your bills and necessities including groceries.
If you don’t at least have three months worth of savings…
Make it a New Year’s resolution to get three months plus of savings.
That three months worth of savings is considered an emergency fund.
This will help provide you monetary cushion in case you or your spouse won’t receive a paycheck for a while.
You don’t have to come up with thousands of dollars overnight for a savings account.
Just start small. Even 20 dollars a week can be thrown into a savings account.
I find the best way to accumulate a decent savings account fast is by adding whatever money I have left over for the week into savings.
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Final Thoughts
A New Year’s resolution doesn’t have to be focused on weight loss.
I know that many people make it a resolution to lose weight. Which is great!
But by a couple of months tons of people have given up on the weight loss resolution.
I say… Forget about lowering the number on the scale. That numeric value doesn’t give value to you as a person.
Yes, it’s nice to lose weight. But focus on a different resolution to change yourself and your life this year!
Take pride in yourself by learning a new skill like cooking. Adopt a pet.
Remove toxic people from your life and put friends and family first to improve your mental health.
And above all find happiness in yourself, others and your life for the New Year.
Works Cited
11 signs there’s a toxic person in your life
50 new year’s resolution ideas and how to achieve each of them