The New Year doesn’t have to be about changing how you look—it can be about adding more joy, love, and adventure to your life. Here’s to resolutions that make you happier, not just thinner. Cheers to 2025!
Prioritize Sleep
Starting off with a tough one right off the bat, but hear me out. Try to get 7-9 hours of sleep every night. Your body renews and heals itself when it sleeps. Give it a try, and you might even wake up early enough to see the sunrise without feeling like a zombie!
Practice Mindfulness
Spend ten minutes each day meditating, breathing, or just being in the present moment. Bonus points if you can do it without thinking about that embarrassing thing you did five years ago.
Hydrate Like a Champ
Carry a reusable water bottle and make staying hydrated your new mission. Forget diet soda—water is your real best friend. Can’t stand drinking plain water? Add a slice of lemon and a sprig of mint to feel extra fancy and refreshed.
Cut Back on Screen Time Before Bed
No screens 30 minutes before bedtime! I promise it’s possible. Try reading a book or writing in a journal instead. You’ll feel calmer, you’ll sleep better, and you just might wake up feeling happier and more energetic.
Try a New Hobby
Always wanted to learn how to knit? Or maybe pottery is more your style? This year, it’s all about trying new things—and hey, you might even make a cool gift for a friend or your pet.
Volunteer Your Time
Help out at a local animal shelter, food bank, or community garden. It feels amazing to help others, it’ll get you out of the house and moving your body, plus you’ll earn some good karma. What’s not to love?
Read More Books
Set a goal to read 12 books this year. It can be fiction, non-fiction, or even a cookbook (hey, it counts!). Reading is great for your mind—and it makes you look smart on the bus. And no shade to audiobook lovers, please. We don’t gatekeep books around here.
Declutter Your Space
Organizing a room can feel so daunting you never begin. So break it up into bitesize pieces! Clean out one drawer or shelf each week. You’ll feel so much better with less clutter, and it’s like a treasure hunt when you find things you forgot you had.
Practice Gratitude
Write down three things you’re thankful for every day. Even if it’s just “I found matching socks,” it helps you notice the small things that make life great. I promise, it’ll brighten your mood quicker than anything else.
Explore Mindful Cooking
Make a meal that takes time, like a homemade stew or fresh bread. Cooking can be really relaxing—plus, kneading dough is a pretty good arm workout. This is a great time to focus on the present and infuse love into what you’re making.
Curate Your Social Media
Unfollow accounts that don’t make you happy, and follow ones that inspire you. Get all Marie Kondo with it. Does this person spark joy when you see their face or hear their voice? Your thumb deserves to scroll through good vibes, not negativity.
Make Regular Plans With Friends
Whether it’s a weekly walk, game night, or video call, spending time with friends is one of the best gifts you can give yourself—and it’s usually free. Schedules are a pain, but with enough effort and persistence, you’ll make it work.
Learn to Say No
Practice setting boundaries and learn that it’s okay to say no without feeling bad. Seriously, the guilt needs to go! You don’t have to go to every event—sometimes the best party is at home in your pajamas.
Declutter Your Digital Life
Organize your computer files or clean out your photo library. You know you need to. Things will worth smoother, trust me. Besides, there’s nothing better than finding exactly what you need without opening “random_final_final2.doc.”
Laugh More
Watch comedies, follow funny accounts, or spend time with that friend who always makes you laugh. Build those smile lines and heal your soul! Laughter is like a workout for your abs—without the crunches.
Be a Plant Parent
Buy a plant and try to keep it alive. No judgment—it doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Start with something beginner friendly. It will add some green to your space, and it might teach you a thing or two about responsibility.
Practice a New Skill
Learn a skill like juggling, whistling, or even basic car maintenance. Develop a talent without the intention of monetizing it later. It’ll boost your self esteem, and your friends will be so impressed when you pull out juggling balls at the next get-together.
Send Letters
Write a letter to a friend or family member. Yes, it takes longer than shooting off a text. But it’s thoughtful, and getting a letter in the mail is always so fun! Most of us only get bills. Spread the snail mail love.
Journal Regularly
Start journaling—not just the serious stuff, but the fun moments, too. You don’t have to fill up an entire page with something deep and insightful, you can just jot down a note with a date. Trust me, future you will thank you for remembering why you were laughing at 2 AM on a random Tuesday.
Take Yourself on Dates
Treat yourself to a solo coffee outing, museum visit, or hike. You’re great company, and it’s a chance to enjoy some “me time.” Not to mention it’s WAY easier to connect with new people when you’re on your own. If you’re into that.
Organize a Monthly Adventure
Once a month, do something you’ve never done before. It could be trying a new restaurant, visiting an escape room, or even flying a kite. If it makes you feel silly at first, that’s a pretty good sign you’ll get a great story out of it. Life is full of fun waiting to happen.
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Practice Saying Positive Affirmations
Give yourself a pep talk every morning. There are tons of books written on the subject that will give you the right words to say. Or you could just look in the mirror and say, “I’m awesome, and I’ve got this.” It might feel awkward at first, but it really helps boost your confidence.
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Learn About a Different Culture
Learn about different traditions, holidays, and foods from other cultures. Read books, watch documentaries, and seek out people with different backgrounds from your own. It’s like traveling without needing a plane ticket—and you might even find a new favorite dish.
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Host a Gathering
Invite friends over for a themed movie night or a potluck. Pair The Godfather with spaghetti and meatballs, or Nightmare on Elm Street with something on skewers. Good food, good friends, and movies you can all talk about later—is there anything better?
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Dance More
We don’t move our bodies enough. That’s not an opinion, it’s just science I think. Throw on some headphones and your favorite songs and dance like no one’s watching. Or like everyone is watching and they’re super impressed, I’m not judging. Just have fun, let loose, and get that energy up.
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