With Christmas only around the corner, it’s time to think about things to change in the new year. To be honest, it feels like this is something I’ve only just done but I’m happy to say I made some great changes in 2024 and more importantly, stuck to them. But there’s still plenty more to do and improvements to be made.
The new year brings a new dawn and a new chance to reinvent yourself. It gives you space to really think about how you want to live your life and what to concentrate your precious energy on.
Most people want more freedom, more calm and a lifestyle that encourages more happiness.
With this in mind, here are 11 things to change next year that I think can help you achieve these things.
1. Declutter your life
I recently wrote a post about how you can start living the simple life to find more calm and focus. Decluttering your life is all about chucking out the stuff you no longer need but more importantly, don’t use anymore. A clear environment leads to a clear head. And it’s not just about decluttering, it’s about building the discipline and mindful approach to buying new stuff. It’s about learning how little you really need to live a happy life.
2. Make movement fun again
Yes, I said it. And I know you’re bored of hearing it. But I truly believe that movement is medicine. It just makes you feel amazing. It’s a free anti-depressant that I’ve been using over the past 12 months more and more and plan on using even more in 2025. But sometimes it’s difficult and you can’t be bothered. That’s why doing something fun can help you keep up the habit of movement. That could look like soccer, badminton or gymnastics, for example. Just find one way to move this new year to keep it engaging.
3. Stop listening to the news
let’s face it, the news is kind of depressing. I think it’s important to keep up to date with what’s happening in the world but the problem is, that the news is more of a set of opinions these days. Half the time it’s written by AI, not even by a human hand! It’s crazy. It’s sensationalised. Save yourself some sanity and allow yourself less anxiety by shutting it off more often and instead focusing on your healthy habits.
4. Remind yourself this is temporary
One way to find more gratitude in the new year is to remember this is all temporary. Sometimes we forget that too easily. Life just rolls on. You get wrapped up in your same old habits and you think things are going to be how they are right now forever. But things change. Think about how different things were only 5 years ago. One day you will no longer be here. Start making every day count next year by remembering how temporary things are, especially your own life.
5. Laugh if off
Everything feels so serious these days. The election. The wars. The cost of living crisis. There’s so much to think about and potentially worry about. However, remembering this is all temporary reminds you how silly everything really is. We’re all just people who want things. There’s been billions of us that have lived and died. We’re next in line. You might as well laugh at how bizarre the world is, rather than allowing it to pull you down.
6. Move past influencer culture
Every man and their dog wants you to buy something from them. Since the beginning of time, traditional celebrities have joined forces with companies to try and get you to buy things. These days, the gal down the road with an Instagram account is using the same blueprint. The point is, that most people are grifting and want to sell you junk. Ignore them. Don’t buy their junk.
7. Eat good food
Most people think good, nutritious food is expensive. I can tell you it doesn’t have to be. Minced beef costs a few dollars and a good pack of broccoli can be as low as $1. The idea is to eat food that is full of nutrition so you’re getting the minerals and vitamins you need to feel good and energetic. At the same time, reject junk food that saps your energy, makes you feel bloated and horrible and makes you gain fat. Here are some simple habits for weight loss that helped me.
8. Have fewer opinions
We live in the age of opinion. Everyone is at each other’s throats. One person thinks one thing and someone else thinks something else. No one can agree on anything. I’m not sure when this started but I’m fairly certain social media has a lot to do with it. But here’s the thing – most arguments are just not needed. They explode out of nowhere and no one ever wins, especially online. One habit I’m taking into next year is simply not having an opinion when something is utterly unimportant.
9. Focus on positivity
One thing I’ve learned this year is that positivity is a choice. Sure, bad sh*t happens sometimes but it’s how you think about it that counts. I know much of my suffering has come from my thoughts and dwelling on things. In reality, I now know I don’t have to do that. It’s really within my power to think about things differently and look for the positives, no matter how small they are. It doesn’t feel like a choice at first but if you keep doing this, you’ll keep finding glimmers of light in everything.
10. Make time for more play
Why do we play less as we get older? Playtime is as important as work time. Why? Because without play time you become a robot, only existing to input data or move boxes around. Playtime makes you feel alive. The problem is most of us are busy. We have work to do. So it gets hard to play. But playtime can still be had in the evenings or on the weekends and playtime doesn’t have to mean doing something like playing golf. It can mean going for a nice walk with a friend and talking or leaving your phones at home and going for brunch with your kids.
11. Make the weekends count
When you reach the weekend, you may feel like laying on your sofa and snoozing to a cosy film. But that time disappears quickly. But the weekend is over so quickly, and before you know it, you’re back sitting at your desk and waiting for Friday again. Whatever thing is you want to do, start it. Get to work on it. Get your playtime in and then start writing that book, for example. Make your weekend time meaningful when it comes to the things you’re passionate about and want to build on the side.
Wrapping it all up
Use the New Year as a clean slate to start becoming the person you’ve been saying you want to be. Use these examples above to start improving your life bit by bit. Take small steps, learn, fail and try again.
The most important thing is changing your mindset over time. Making changes is difficult at first. That’s why you need to have patience with yourself and make small adjustments to begin with.
The below printable can help you make those small changes.
Start creating better habits today.
If you’re ready to start organising your life so you have the space to create better habits, download your FREE Better Habits Bundle now.
Sean C is a writer, passionate about improving one’s self by maintaining healthy habits and doing the things that make life more meaningful.
