With 2025 right around the corner, it’s just about time to start planning your resolutions for the new year. New Year’s resolutions can be tricky because they’re notoriously hard to commit to… It’s easy to set lofty goals before the new year begins, but then before you know it, February has rolled around and you haven’t run 10 miles every morning at sunrise, even once! The important thing to remember about choosing your New Year’s resolution is to be reasonable. Any progress is good progress, so choose a resolution that you’re confident that you can set your mind to! Check out ten of our ideas below and get ready for your best year yet.

Be more positive

Now more than ever, trying to be more positive when life gives you lemons is extremely important. No matter what’s causing you stress, between work, responsibilities, or other circumstances, it’s often worth at least trying to find a bright side to what may seem like a negative situation. Of course, it’s not quite as simple as that, but keeping your outlook on life at top of mind will only seek to improve your journey into the new year.

Get active 3+ times a week

Yes, we joked about the daily 10-mile morning run being an example of what not to choose for a New Year’s resolution, but we can probably all agree there’s a middle ground between that and not getting active at all. And the good news is that there are plenty of ways to get active without hating every minute of it! Whether that means going on a jog a few times a week when the weather is nice, taking your dog on some extra-long walks, or joining a recreational sports league in your local community, there are a number of ways you can add some activity to your weekly routine.

Try a new recipe at least once a week

You can think of this one as more of a treat for yourself than a resolution because there’s so much great food out there just waiting to be discovered! Sure, ordering take-out might be the easier option, but it’s definitely not the most cost-effective. With so many great quick and easy recipes to check out online, you can probably cook a brand new tasty dish with the ingredients you have at home! So deviate from your culinary routine, grab your apron, and try out some new recipes each week — who knows, you might just discover your new favorite food.

Get outside every day

This one’s simple but oh-so-important. Getting outside and enjoying the fresh air will do wonders for your mental health. It may be getting cold outside, but that’ll just make the sunshine feel that much greater. So take a walk in the park, grab your backpack and go on a hike, stop and smell the roses, make a snow angel, touch some grass, and get outside, because as we all know, being cooped up all day (especially those of us working from home) gets old fast.

Practice self-care and meditate

Breathe in… Breathe out… Self-care is integral to a healthy lifestyle, and being mindful and present throughout the day contributes greatly to that. Carve some time out of your day and practice meditation in order to recenter yourself, and if you’re really trying to feel zen, burn some incense to create the perfect calming atmosphere. Taking just a few moments out of every day to step away from everything is hugely important to prevent yourself from getting burnt out from your day-to-day routine!

Find a new hobby

Is there a hobby you’ve always thought about getting into but you’ve never gotten around to? Well, there’s no time like the present! Start the new year off right and find yourself something new to keep yourself entertained. Whether that’s trying a new physical activity, getting into knitting, building puzzles, or learning to bake, there’s no shortage of new hobbies on the horizon waiting to be discovered.

Break a bad habit

Maybe you chew your fingernails, or eat too much junk food, or have a habit of swearing too much. No matter what bad habit you’re trying to shake, you’re not alone… We’ve all got them. And many people hope to ring in the new year by breaking those habits for good. Take a look inward and think of one of your habits you’d like to squash before entering the new year, and then make a point to get rid of it for good!

Read a new book every month

When was the last time you read a book cover to cover that wasn’t on your summer reading list in high school? Reading is a great way, not only to relax but also to get away from our phones, computers, and other screens that occupy our eyes almost 24/7. Whether you’re a fan of sci-fi, mysteries, or historical non-fiction, there’s a literal library of stories just waiting to be read. If reading a new book every month is too much of a commitment, set your goal to every two months! Try starting a book club to keep yourself accountable and keep a list of each book you complete throughout the year. Once you find the perfect book, you’ll more than likely find that it’s hard to put down.

Give one compliment a day

This one’s easy and contributes to putting some positivity into the universe, which is always a good thing. Giving compliments is a great way to put a smile on someone’s face – you may just make their whole day. Maybe your coworker did a nice job on a project and you recognize their work, or a friend got a great haircut and you say it looks amazing! Who knows, maybe you’ll start a chain reaction and those around you will start paying it forward and complimenting people in their own lives too.

Travel on a budget

Everyone talks about wanting to travel, but it’s hard to get away for a number of reasons… Carving time out of your schedule is tough and going halfway around the world isn’t exactly cheap. But there’s good news! You may not even know it, but there are likely some really cool places to explore right in your neck of the woods. Check out local hiking trails, go camping, or take a mini road trip to a nearby landmark. There may even be some history to your area that you can learn about right in your hometown. So get ready, pack a lunch, and get out there, because there’s a whole world to explore without breaking the bank.

Are you feeling more ready for the new year now? Then get those resolutions ready, because 2025’s shaping up to be YOUR year!

Want more ideas? Check out our advice on how to set intentions for the new year.