20 alternatives to a New Year’s resolution

Rather than trying to do something this year, just book a vacation. If you want the vacation to be in the spirit of a New Year’s resolution, pick a destination that you’ve always wanted to visit. Take lots of pictures and make the most of your time there. 

Journaling is always a good idea. Rather than setting a goal for the new year, get in the habit of journaling. It will help you sort out your thoughts and reflect on your days and weeks as they come, which will help you reach any goals you set outside of the new year. 

Instead of choosing something you want to accomplish this year, choose something you want to stop doing. A New Year’s dissolution, as it’s called. It can be a nasty habit you want to break or a changing a poor thought pattern you’ve noticed. 

Just be grateful this year instead of trying to accomplish something. Practice gratitude by being thankful for all you already have and pat yourself on the back for everything you’ve already accomplished. 

Choosing a theme to live by is a great alternative to a New Year’s resolution. It gives you an attitude throughout the year that makes its way into all areas of your life. It’s a more holistic approach to change in the new year. 

Be kind to yourself this year. It might seem like a resolution to start doing this, but it’s not something you need to keep intense track of or get down on yourself for if you don’t follow through. Just start treating yourself the way you treat other people. 

Another fun alternative to a New Year’s resolution is completing a home project. It could be as simple as painting a wall or as complex as a complete renovation. It’s totally up to you. It’s a way to have fun and be creative in your space. 

If you really can’t let go of the idea of a New Year’s resolution, try doing a one-month resolution instead. A month is much less daunting of a commitment than an entire year, and you can choose a new resolution for each month throughout the year. 

Instead of taking time at the beginning of the year to set a new goal, take that time to reflect on the past year. Whether it was a particularly difficult or fulfilling year, take stock of what’s happened and reflect on how you feel. 

There’s no rule that says you have to pick a different resolution each year. If last year’s resolution went well, keep doing it, especially if it’s something concerning your health and well-being. 

Life can get busy, and we're stressed when we’re too busy. If you feel like you just can’t add anything else to your plate, resolve to take something off it this year. Change in the new year should be positive, so don’t add anything that will worsen your life. 

Take time at the start of the new year to write a bucket list. It can be a list of things you’d like to do this year to make it more fun, or it can be things you’d like to do throughout your lifetime. It’s a much more exciting approach to the new year. 

While you’re listing things, also take some time to write down all that you’re looking forward to in the new year. This is especially helpful if you’re prone to the doldrums in the winter. 

Instead of a New Year’s resolution, decide to focus on something for the year, like your family. Vow to spend more time together and have more meaningful conversations. It can be your immediate family or your extended family. 

Take time this year to work on your friendships, too. Initiate plans to hang out and follow through when you’re invited. Take a trip with your friends or just check in on them more. Having stronger friendships will add value to your life. 

Instead of setting a goal, follow a New Year’s prompt this year. It’s a similar approach to the new year as choosing a theme, but it reframes your intention. If it works better for you to follow a New Year’s prompt, do it. 

Filling a memory jar is a fun way to track your year. Each time something you want to remember happens, write it down on a piece of paper and put it in a jar. At the end of the year, read through your memories as a way to reflect. 

Making a vision board is New Year’s resolution-adjacent, but it doesn’t come with all the pressures of an actual resolution. It’s also a good way to include things you’d like to accomplish in your life without putting a year's time frame on it. 

Vow to celebrate your wins this year. They can be big, they can be small. But instead of getting down on yourself for not following through with an arbitrarily chosen New Year’s resolution, hype yourself up for all the good things you do. 

If you don’t want to do anything at all, don’t. Don’t set a goal. Don’t set an intention. Don’t make any intense changes. If you’re happy with your life and just want a year where things stay the same, don’t do anything.