20 New Year's resolutions actually worth keeping

Even if you don't have the energy to organize the whole house, just plan to start with one space. Whether that's your cluttered garage or an overflowing junk drawer, it's easy to get this resolution knocked out early in 2023. 

Most of us have been vowing to drink more water for years, but it's always a good idea to get a little more H20. Treat yourself to a nice water bottle or cup you'll use often, and be amazed when it makes you drink more water. 

Whether you're a library fan or love to fill up your Kindle, resolving to read more books is always a good choice. Use an app like Goodreads to set a reading goal for 2023 and stick to it. Remember: "fun" books like mysteries and graphic novels still totally count as reading. 

Make 2023 your year of getting more movement in, even if it's just a little. Scope out yoga videos on YouTube, find exercises you can easily do at your desk, or consider taking on an active hobby, like playing pickleball or cycling. 

If exercise is not your thing, just walking a few times a week can have significant cardiovascular and mental health benefits. Pop in your headphones, put on some good music, and enjoy spending a little "me time" while getting your steps in. 

Vowing to stop biting your nails? Trying to quit smoking? These are the kind of New Year's resolutions that make sense. Find resources to support you as you cut this bad habit out of your life, and don't forget to reward yourself with little treats for success along the way. 

Getting your budget in good shape is always a good idea. Use a budgeting app like Mint or You Need a Budget to help set a budget that will ensure that you can save money, pay down debt, and still have a little fun from time to time. 

Stop spending too much time scrolling TikTok and watching YouTube and pick up a new hobby. If you've been dying to get into embroidery or are looking to start rock climbing, make 2023 your year to get started. 

Thanks to apps like Duolingo and Babbel, learning a language on your own time has never been easier. Learning a new language is fun and engaging, might prove useful to you in the future, and has been shown to improve memory, critical thinking skills, and concentration. 

2022 was a pretty stressful year, and meditation is a great way to ease some of the end-of-year burnout that you're feeling. Consider guided meditations on apps like Spotify and Calm, or simply set aside a little time on your calendar each day to spend in silence with your thoughts. 

If you don't have time to take on a new hobby, nothing is stopping you from learning a new skill! Perhaps you'll figure out how to wallpaper your living room or become great at growing your own herbs. 

Nurturing your relationship is important any time of year, and spending time together is a great way to do that. Set aside one night each month (or week!) to have a date night with your partner, and stick to the plan all year long. You might just be surprised at the benefits you'll see. 

For those of us who spend all day at a computer, slumping and slouching can cause a whole lot of aches and pains. Make a conscious effort to think more about improving your posture, and try exercises that can strengthen muscles that cause poor posture. 

Thanks to the 24-hour news cycle and the relentless nature of social media, it's easy to stare at your phone and "doom-scroll" for hours. Consider making a resolution to make a conscious effort to step away from the bad news from time to time. 

From kids to the elderly, pretty much all of us spend too much time in front of screens. Set time limits for apps like TikTok and Instagram, and use that spare time to pursue other goals and hobbies. 

Everyone's living very busy lives, but it's still important to make time to spend with your family. Whether that means a monthly dinner with your parents or a game night with the kids, make a point to carve out a little extra time on the calendar for the ones you love in 2023. 

Even if you can't afford to travel abroad, traveling more is still a great goal for the new year. You can take fun road trips to destinations just a few hours away or keep tabs on flight deals via sites like Kayak and Google Flights. However you make it happen, it's always good to get out and see more of the world. 

Self-care isn't just limited to massages and skincare; it's a philosophy that involves taking care of your whole body. Ahead of 2023, take some time to assess where you could be taking better care of yourself, whether exercising more, eating more plants, or trying therapy for the first time. 

With rising inflation and rumors of a recession, it's no wonder most of us are feeling economic anxiety right now. But that's no excuse to skimp on treating yourself. You don't have to spend a lot of cash — even catching a nap or taking a mental health day from work can count as "treating yourself." 

Thanks to the rise of non-alcoholic beverages like seltzer and mocktails, more people are evaluating their relationship with alcohol. Even if you're not a particularly heavy drinker, it's never a bad idea to think about drinking less in 2023.