BY ADAM BAILEY
Cut out alcohol completely. Quit social media. Lose weight. Blah-blah-blah. While these are all good goals—let’s be honest, we never really stick to them. Setting lofty goals and feeling overwhelmed by the pressure you put on yourself is one of the most common reasons why New Year’s resolutions fail.
But there’s a way to prevent that from happening in 2023—start by setting small, achievable goals. Try these New Year’s resolution ideas to stay on track and fulfill your personal enhancement goals.
DO SOMETHING ON YOUR BUCKET LIST.
New Year’s resolutions often crash and burn because they try to tackle too much too fast. But you can take things as slowly as you want. The key to setting good New Year’s resolutions is simply moving forward at your own pace.
There’s no reason to wait until you’re nearly dead to start living the way you’ve always wanted. And your bucket list is more than just a to-do list; it’s a way-to-live list. So, why not start crossing things off as regularly as possible.
CHANGE UP YOUR LOOK.
Losing weight and exercising are among the top 10 most common New Year’s resolutions. But fitness resolutions tend to be short-lived because most people expect results fast. On the plus side, there are easier ways to transform your look and see instant results. Take a few inches off your hair, try a new hair color, get a tattoo, or simply switch up your personal style. Make 2023 the year you decide to embrace bold colors, mix patterns, and find the courage to wear outfits you’ve always wanted to but never thought you could pull off.
SAVE A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF YOUR PAYCHECK.
When you’re living paycheck to paycheck, you might feel tempted to splurge the moment your bank account is replenished. But impulsive purchases can add up, no matter how affordable they seem in the moment, and that’s why a New Year’s resolution of opening up a savings account can offer you peace of mind. At least 20% of your annual
income should go to savings, but if you save less in one month than you’re supposed to, don’t beat yourself up about it. If you haven’t saved before, you can start by saving as little as $100 and working your way up.
COOK SOMETHING NEW EACH WEEK.
Everyone wants to eat healthier in the New Year, but you should also try to eat more diverse foods. After all, variety is the spice of life. Trying a different recipe each week can also introduce you to a variety of dishes and cuisines. Cooking the meal won’t even take long—a Google search for easy 30-minute dinner ideas just might yield enough results to last you a whole year.
DO YOUR BIT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
You can certainly make a New Year’s resolution to go vegan or adopt a zero-waste lifestyle but trying to accomplish those goals can be a jarring change if you’ve never attempted it before. Instead, take baby steps. Start donating clothes and thrifting when you can, carry a reusable tote bag to the supermarket, purchase a set of eco-friendly metal straws, and recycle as much as possible.
GET MORE SLEEP.
While it sounds easy enough to get the recommended 8 hours of sleep every night, not a lot of people do. Try going to bed at the same time every night, avoid consuming alcohol or caffeine before bed, turn off your electronic devices at least 30 minutes before sleeping, and ensure your bedroom environment is conducive to getting a good night’s sleep.
BE KIND TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS.
Before you start your day, think about how you can add a sprinkle of positivity to your day and others. The best part is you don’t have to go out of your way to fulfill this New Year’s resolution. A small act of kindness will suffice. Call your parents. Text a friend you haven’t heard from in a while. Cook a meal for your spouse. Allow yourself to take a whole day off and do what you want to do. Being kind to others may come easier than being kind to yourself but remember that you don’t need an excuse to justify why you’re treating yourself to something that makes you feel good.
