2024 New Year’s Resolutions

I’m not usually big on doing New Year’s resolutions, but it’s always nice to try to make them anyways. For the most part, I try to set goals for myself for the new year instead. I feel like I can stick to it or do more if I set goals for myself rather than doing New Year’s resolutions. Either way though, I’m going to list some resolutions that might be easier to stick to this year. These are some resolutions I think anyone could make for themselves, or ones that I think are great to stick to anyways.

1. Clean and Declutter Your Home– I think it’s always a great time to clean and declutter whenever you can, but since it’s a new year, it’s time to refresh and clean up all that junk. Each new year I always try to clean up my home and get rid of some of the stuff I no longer need or use. There is always something in my home that I no longer want or need. You’ll feel so much better once your house is rid of all that clutter too. 

2. Make Time for Family– I always try to make time for family. I’m always making sure to check up on everyone and visit whenever I can. Sometimes it feels like family has drifted apart, so I think it’s really important to get back with your family and make some time to see each other and spend more time together. 

3. Read More Books– I absolutely love to read, but I would like to read more books this year. I know I haven’t been reading as much as I’d like to. Reading is great for everyone. There are so many great books out there you can read. Right now I have a book scratch off poster that I’m working on that has 100 books to read. I would have liked to read more than where I’m at now, but it’s a new year, so I’m hoping to mark more off that list this year. 

4. Make More Meals From Home-This is something I already do a lot. I don’t go out to eat much, especially with the food prices now. It is easier to just stay home and make a meal for the family. My daughters enjoy helping out in the kitchen too, so that’s a plus. It’s a great time to cook meals together too. 

5. Drink More Water– Water is about all I ever drink, but I know I’m not getting enough water in a day. I would like to try to up that to get to the daily recommendation for drinking water. I’m glad that water is one of the only things I drink, but now I just need to make sure I’m drinking enough of it. 

6. Exercise at Least 5 Days a Week– I don’t usually have a problem with this, as I love to do yoga five times a week. I normally stick to yoga, walking and biking. These are the three that I love to do the most. I personally have to be careful with exercise because I get migraines very easily from harder exercises, so it’s the lighter exercises for me. 

7. Learn Something New-For me, this would be to learn Spanish and/or Sign Language. I have been wanting to learn both of these for so long now. This is something that I hope to be able to learn this year. I’m going to dedicate more time to learning more Spanish and sign language this year. 

8. Volunteer– I think volunteering your time is a wonderful thing. You can volunteer in any way. This could be as simple helping out when they need volunteers around your town. Maybe you can volunteer your time to help babysit for someone. There are a lot of great ways to volunteer. 

9. Take More Time for Yourself– This is something I probably don’t do enough. It is so great to be able to take some time for yourself. Everyone deserves to have time to themselves. Whether this is simply watching a movie or reading a book, you should take a little time out for yourself. 

10. More Date Nights– If you’re with someone, maybe you don’t get out much like you use to. My husband and I don’t, and I would like to change that. I would love to try getting out more, or even just staying in for a date night. You can always make a date night at home and cook a meal together or watch movies together. 

11. Create a Cleaning Schedule– This is something I think a lot of us struggle with. I don’t mind cleaning, but finding the time to actually get it all done can be tough. Having a schedule for cleaning is really helpful. This helps you to know what to clean each day, and make sure everything is getting clean too. If you have kids, make sure to include them as well. 

12. Meditate Daily– I personally love to meditate. I try to do this at least 5 minutes a day. I know that isn’t a lot, but sometimes you don’t need to make it a lot. 15 minutes a day is more of my goal, but if I can do at least 5 minutes, I’ll be happy with that. It’s very relaxing too. 

13. Do Random Acts of Kindness– Doing an act of kindness is so simple, and can really make someone’s day. This could be as simple as telling someone they look great or you like something they’re wearing. Maybe just sit down and talk with someone. You never know what could really help make someone’s day. It really doesn’t take a lot, and it doesn’t have to cost anything to be nice either. (Check out my post for some ideas.)

14. Go Someplace You’ve Never Been, Even If It’s Just a New Restaurant– Now this is something I really want to give a try. There are so many different restaurants and places I’d love to give a try. Even if it’s just once a month or less often, I think this would be wonderful. Who knows, you may end up really enjoying this new place too. 

15. Keep a Journal– Writing things down in a journal can be very helpful. Maybe you want to just write whatever you’re feeling, or maybe have a gratitude journal. Whatever it may be, write it down so you can read it later. 

16. Stop Buying Things You Really Don’t Need– This might be a bit harder for some people, but you should really think about it before you buy it. If you absolutely don’t need it, why even bother getting it. Most likely whatever you don’t need won’t last long and you’re going to end up getting rid of it anyways. I am always very careful when I buy something. I make sure I ask myself if I really need it first. I don’t want to end up spending money on something I really don’t need. 

17. Send Handwritten Letters– This is something I’m sure many of us don’t do enough. With cell phones now, most of us just send a quick text message. I personally love handwritten letters though. I’m going to start writing more letters and sending some out this year. 

18. Remove Any Negativity From Your Life– Nobody needs any negativity in their lives. Anything that may bring bad negativity, I would get rid of it. If someone is very negative, you don’t need them either. Nobody needs someone negative in their lives. This will just bring on more stress to our lives. 

19. Be Crafty– I’m not a very crafty person, but I have become more crafty over the last couple of months. I have found groups on Facebook that have a lot of crafty people, so I’ve found some really great ideas to do. I absolutely love being crafty, even if it means doing a craft that someone else made up. It doesn’t mean you have to make them up yourselves. You can still have fun making any type of craft, especially with your kids. 

20. Put That Phone Away– Take some time away from your phone. I think way to many people are spending to much time on their phones. Make sure to unplug every now and than. You can always find something else to do. Think of all the stuff you could get done that you’ve been putting off. There is so much more to do than just be on your phone. At least try to get off your phone an hour before bed anyways. 

21. Play More Board Games– My family and I love to play board games, but I don’t think we play enough of them. Between board games and puzzles, those are some things we enjoy doing together. I’m going to try to make game nights once a week so that we all play more games together as a family.

22. Meal Prep– It’s so much easier to get meals on the table if you know what you’re going to make. I usually print out a calendar for the month and hang it up on the fridge and write down each meal for the day. I fill that in so that we’re at least having dinner together each night. My kids are in school five days of the week, so we usually at least try to do dinner together. It’s a great way to use up some food from your pantry too. Check out what you have and make meals from what you have already. 

23. Watch More Movies Together as a Family– This is another thing I want to do more with my family. We always enjoy watching movies together, but sometimes have a hard time agreeing on something. I have recently made a list of movies I want my kids to see that I watched when I was younger. They’re excited for this, so we are thinking at least once a week we are going to pick out a movie and watch it together. 

24. Learn to Say No More Often– Sometimes you just have to say no. I know this can be hard when someone needs something, but if you really want to say no, but keep finding yourself saying yes, you have to start saying no. I know many people who have a hard time with this, myself included. I’ve learned that I have to start saying no if I really don’t want to do it. 

25. Try the Food Pantry Challenge for a Month– This is something I try to do often, and I love it. Instead of going out to the grocery store and continue to buy groceries, how about you use up everything you have at home first. You can still buy the essentials like milk, bread, butter, etc. Just make sure to make meals out of what you have at home before buying more groceries. This is going to save you money as well as get rid of some of that food you have already before it expires. 

26. Get a Full Nights Sleep– I know this can be a hard one, but getting the right amount of sleep is really helpful. I always try to get up around the same time each day as well as go to bed the same time as well. This helps me keep a routine and get the right amount of sleep so I’m up and refreshed for the next day.

27. Don’t Let Laundry Build Up– I always make sure to do laundry right away, but I’m not good about putting the laundry away once it’s done. I’m guilty of keeping it in the laundry basket until I feel like putting it away. I’m going to work harder on always putting it away once it’s done. 

28. Do Dishes Right Away– I have been really good at doing this one. We have a dishwasher, so it’s a lot easier to just unload and reload the dishwasher. I usually try to get these done as quick as possible because I hate having the dishes building up in the sink. 

29. Choose Stairs Whenever You Can– If you have the option of using the stairs, then you should do that. I always try to use the stairs whenever possible. I don’t really care for elevators or escalators anyways. I like to get the exercise whenever possible. 

30. Make Your Own Bread– I actually enjoy making my own bread, and it’s much more delicious as well. My family and I enjoy homemade bread. This can help save you some money as well. 

31. Book Those Doctor’s and Dentist Appointments Regularly– This is something my family and I do all the time. We all want to make sure we’re up to date with everything. We go to the dentist, doctor, eye doctor, etc. 

32. Eat More Fruits and Veggies– This is something I personally struggle with. I love fruits and veggies, so I shouldn’t have a problem with this. 

33. Try One New Recipe Each Week– I’ve been wanting to try out new recipes, and this would be a great way to do that. Sometimes it gets boring eating the same thing, so it’s nice to try something new. 

34. Check Something Off Your Bucket List This Year– I have a lot of things on my bucket list. It would be great to actually start to mark these off. Even if this is one thing a year, I think it’s a great idea. 

35. Start Budgeting if you Haven’t Already– It’s always a great idea to budget. I do this often. I’m always on a budget, and I love to do budgeting. Making sure your bills are paid first is always a great start. Anything that is left over should go towards things you need, like food or gas for your vehicle. Make sure you know if you have the money to spend first. You can always shop for great deals as well. There are a lot of wonderful apps out there to help you save too.