New Year's Resolutions You Should Actually Keep

This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.

It's that time of year again! Time to reflect on the past twelve months and set some goals for the coming one. But let's be honest, most of us never actually stick to our New Year's resolutions. In fact, according to a study by Statistic Brain, only 8% of people achieve their New Year's goals. Yikes.

So what can we do to make sure we're part of that lucky 8%? Here are four resolutions you should actually keep this year. Trust me, your future self will thank you.

Get Organized - Create a System That Works for You, Whether It's a Bullet Journal or Electronic Calendar

It doesn't matter if you're a lists-driven, color-coded kind of person or just someone who swears by your trusty smartphone – everyone needs an organizational system to help get through the day.

And while it may be tempting to dive headfirst into every trend out there, think long and hard before making a final decision.

Do you like working on paper? Then grab a bullet journal and get ready to customize your own efficiency powerhouse.

Prefer scrolling over writing? Check out a few apps and see what fits best.

You'll never regret taking the time to find the right system for you – in fact, it might just change your life for the better!

So say goodbye to feeling overwhelmed, and hello to being organized!  Your newfound sense of order will thank you every single day.  

Before long, you'll wonder how you ever lived a life without it.  It's time to create your own system - because the organization has never been so much fun!

Save Money - Set up a Budget and Stick to it

When it comes to managing your finances, knowledge is power. One of the most important things you can do for yourself is to set up a budget and stick to it.

Knowing where and how much of your income goes toward bills, groceries, and activities allows you to plan ahead and avoid overspending. To make sure you're really saving money and not just spending the same amount from month-to-month, keep track of all purchases—even those small ones—and review them regularly.

You might be surprised how quickly that morning latte can add up! With a bit of discipline and plenty of knowledge about where your money is going, setting up a budget could be the key to unlocking financial freedom.

So why not take control of your finances today?

After all, budgets don't have to be boring – they can be fun too! Just think one step closer to financial stability may only lie a few keystrokes away!  #Gobudgeting!

Exercise More - Find an Activity You Enjoy and Make Time for it in Your Schedule

Countless articles and books have been dedicated to encouraging people to exercise more, but sometimes that advice doesn't leave much room for fun or creativity.

Fortunately for the fitness-averse, there are plenty of ways to keep active without feeling like you're at a gym boot camp. Finding an activity that you genuinely enjoy is a great way to make room for physical activity in your life - whether that be joining a local sports team, taking weekly dance classes, hiring a personal trainer for some one-on-one sessions, or simply taking a long walk instead of calling an Uber. And if lifting weights is something that calls out to you, why not venture down the unorthodox route and find out what strength training with kettlebells can do?

There's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to exercise: always go with what works best for you and the lifestyle you live. Dedicate some time in your weekly schedule to doing something physical that makes you feel good - bonus points if it's fun! Nobody said healthy had to be boring.

Just think outside the box when it comes to making physical activity work for you. With enough motivation, dedication, and creative thinking (and maybe even meditation!), exercise won't seem so onerous after all.  

The world of fitness awaits; open mind and body! All it takes is finding that one activity that clicks with who you are - letting the rest come naturally from there - and before long those positive changes will become second nature.

Free your mind and get moving! Everyone has the potential to make healthy living part of their everyday routine; take action today –your future self will thank you!

Spend Less Time on Social Media - Put Your Phone Away and Focus on the People and Things Around You

Social media has grown exponentially in recent years, creating an online community of both connections and distractions.

Instead of engaging with the people and things around us, we often find ourselves caught up in a digital bubble - zoned out while our phones become the focus of our attention.

We can easily get drawn into an endless scroll, but then hours have passed by without any benefit to us.

Replacing an hour or two of scrolling each day with meaningful activities like going for a walk, reading a book, or having conversations with friends or family can make us much more fulfilled than mindlessly clicking through images and videos on apps.

By being mindful of how we use our phones, we can create space to open up and really appreciate the people and things around us. So take a step back from your device and make some real-world connections - trust me, you won't regret it!

Learn Something New - Take a Class, Pick up a New Hobby, or Read More Books

If knowledge is power, then it stands to reason that learning something new would be a great way to level up.

Whether you take a class in pottery or pick up a new hobby like fishing, acquiring a skill that you didn’t have before is an exciting prospect. Not to mention, the feeling of accomplishment when you’re able to gain some mastery over the thing you’re learning can be highly satisfying.

If you're not ready to jump into taking classes, reading more books and articles can be a simple first step toward expanding your horizons.

There are endless topics available and if there's something unfamiliar but interesting, reading up on it could potentially provide insight that a classroom couldn't.

It’s never too late to learn something new and no matter how big or small it might be, the rewards are worth it. So get out there and start gaining some knowledge- power awaits!  ;-)

Be More Positive - Think About the Good Things in Your Life and Try to See the Silver Lining in Every Situation

Life undoubtedly comes with hardships and disappointments, but there’s also a wealth of beauty and joy if you know where to look. To be more positive, stop fixating on the bad and take a broader perspective.

Sure, it may seem like your neighbor got lucky with an unexpected promotion - but remember that you have supportive friends and family who have been with you through thick and thin.

Have a difficult math quiz coming up? That sucks, for sure, but look on the bright side – it’s another opportunity to show that problem-solving muscle in action!

There’s always something good on the horizon so long as you let yourself believe it exists, no matter how stormy today may be.

So take this time to think about all the wonderful things about your life, let go of any negativity dragging you down, and make sure every silver lining gets its due recognition.

You won't regret it!

Final Thoughts

It can be tough to make changes in our lives, especially when it feels like the world is constantly moving at a breakneck pace. But by following these simple tips, you can make small tweaks that will have a big impact on your overall happiness and well-being. So what are you waiting for?

Get organized, save money, and start exercising – your brain will thank you for it!