As 2023 comes to a close, many of us will send new years wishes to our friends and family and then turn our thoughts to the new year ahead and what we hope to achieve. While new years resolutions are certainly not mandatory, we understand that having a goal (or five!) in mind can help provide a positive focus for 2024.
But what should your new year resolution be this year? If you're in need of a little inspiration to add to yourresolution planner, take a look at some of the ideas we've pulled together which you can take from or tweak to fit your personal goals. You can find everything, from family new year's resolution ideas to fun activities and self-improvement, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Good new year's resolution ideas 2024:
1. Try a new hobby – there are so many new and fun things you can try from the comfort of your home from craft ideas to different kinds of fitness activities.
2. Increase your exercise – doing more physical activity has a brilliant impact on both your mental and physical health, so it's great if you've felt a bit down this year. If you're not sure how to get started, why not trya fitness DVD?
3. To cook something new every week – if cooking is your therapy, then trying out some new and exciting dishes will feed your soul (and your appetite). There are many cooking apps which give you ideas of what you can make based on the ingredients you already have at home.
4. Drink less alcohol – while we all like a drink every now and then, too much can have a real negative impact on our mental and physical health, so it's no surprise an increasing number of us are going sober.
5. Up your fruit and veggie intake – boosting your fruit and veg intake is another great way to feel amazing and try new flavours.
6. Travel more - whether it's a UK staycation or abroad, there are so many beautiful places to travel to all over the world, and in the UK if you don't fancy flying.
7. Volunteer your time to help others – volunteering your precious time to those less fortunate is a brilliant way to spend your spare time. Not only is it great to help others but it is extremely rewarding and really does make you feel good.
8. Start writing a novel – there's a book in all of us, so whether you're full of ideas for fictional novels or have never written before, it's a great way to get your creative juices flowing. And you never know, you could be on your way to the next best-seller.
9. Enhance your skincare routine – if you've never been into your skincare before, now is the perfect time. With so many different products, lotions and potions to buy, it's probably best to go to your local skincare store to ask for some advice on the best products for your skin type. Finding a good routine and sticking to it could really help improve the look and appearance of your skin and help boost your confidence.
10. Declutter your home – nothing feels quite as satisfying as a good clear out. We'd recommend going from room to room, throwing out and donating anything you no longer want or need in your home. Not only could this make room for some new things but it will help clear your mind too.
11. Donate to charity – many charities offer options for regular donations. These can automatically come out of your monthly wage if that's what you choose, so you're giving to a charity that's close to your heart every month. If financial donations aren't an option for you, then you can donate your unwanted goods as well as your time too!
12. Try a new look - why not get some inspiration from online fashion bloggers? There are so many brilliant online influencers and bloggers posting outfit ideas which are suitable for mature women. From everyday looks to outfits for your next party, there's plenty of inspiration to be found online.
13. Do something that scares you every week – this might sound a bit odd, but pushing your boundaries and doing something that takes you out of your comfort zone each week can be really exciting and thrilling and is great if you've been feeling a little down recently. It could be something small like going for a walk by yourself or something more scary like going on a rollercoaster!
14. Walk 1,000 miles – if you're keen to get outdoors more this year and get fit while you're doing it, then Walk 1,000 miles might just be the challenge you're looking for. Brought to you by our sister magazine, Country Walking, the Walk 1,000 miles challenge involves walking an average of 2.74 miles per day!
15. Feng-shui your home – there's something really refreshing about having a move around in your home, and you might even find you prefer the new set up. It's probably ideal to start in the bedroom, as this should be the most relaxing space in the house.
16. Be kinder to yourself – it's natural to be a little hard on yourself sometimes, but it's important to be gentle on yourself, especially after the tough year we've had with the cost of living crisis. Spend some time reflecting on how far you've come and treating yourself every now and then.
17. Read more books – so many books, so little time. If you love books and want to read more, we'd recommend trying to read a book a month to get you started. From best-sellers to biography, there are some brilliant reads to keep you entertained this year.
18. Start a gratitude journal – while life can get really tough at times, there is still so much to be grateful for. Sometimes, it's in the little things that can pass us by so easily, which is why it's such a good idea to write a gratitude journal where you can see it written out.
19. Spruce up your garden – gardening is such a fun activity, especially as the weather warms up in the spring. Getting your garden ready for the summer can be a really rewarding activity, and just think of those warm summer evenings you'll be able to spend relaxing in the garden! You don't need to spend a fortune on loads of new plants -there are many budget garden ideas out there.
20. Find love – this year might be the year when you find a partner. With Yours Dating, you can meet a like minded person to share your life with. It's a safe space to chat with and meet new people and begin dating again. Even if you're not looking for anything serious, it might be nice to go on a few dates.
21. Have regular date nights with your partner – if you're all loved up, it's still important you enjoy some date nights to nurture your relationship together. Whether it's a night out at the cinema or you cook dinner and have a night in at home, spending some quality time together, at least once a week is often essential for keeping the spark alive.
22. Stop procrastinating – we're all guilty of procrastination, and it can be a hard habit to stop. Things like planning out your day like a timetable and setting yourself time limits on activities or setting daily goals can help you stop procrastinating to help you make the most of your time.
23. Meet new people – doing things like heading to a new fitness class or starting with a new craft club can all help you meet new, like minded people while really helping to boost your confidence.
24. Improve your sleep – this is the number one thing we could all improve on. Sleep is so important for our physical and mental health, so taking the steps to improve your sleep health is a brilliant step to take this year.
25. Reduce stress in your life – if things are starting to feel all a bit much, then consider what's causing stress in your life and try to eliminate the triggers.
26. Give up smoking – if you're a smoker and want to improve your health, then giving up is a brilliant step to take this year. By speaking to your GP, they'll be able to provide some helpful guidance and options for giving up for good.
27. Start saving more money – reaching your savings goals can be very difficult, especially with everything that's happened this year. But setting yourself small but achievable savings goals is a great way of saving up for something special.
28. Learn a new language – what a brilliant skill learning a new language is. Whether you're planning a holiday to France in the summer or simply fancy learning a bit of Spanish, it's a great time to learn.
29. Spend less time on social media – while social media is a great place to stay connected with loved ones, it can also be very damaging for our mental health, especially if you find that you're often comparing yourself to others. Dedicate some time. to your socials each day, or delete them altogether for a while.
30. Step out of your comfort zone – we can all be creatures of habit, and although there's nothing bad about that, we can find ourselves in a rut sometimes. Doing things that you wouldn't normally can give you a whole new lease of life.
31. Get crafty and boost your mood – crafting is a brilliant past time and it can help us be mindful. Whether it's a new found love for knitting or card making, there's never been a better time to get crafting.
32. Lower your blood pressure – health is wealth, and if you struggle with your blood pressure, it's essential to take the necessary steps to lowering your blood pressure through diet and exercise. You can try a blood pressure watch or see your GP for advice.
33. Try to keep a plant alive – being a plant-mum is a really fun pastime. Whether it's an outdoor plant or an indoor one, keeping your green friends alive can be a real rewarding challenge.
34. Eat plant-based once a week – not only is switching to a plant based diet better for your health, it's also better for the environment too. Treat yourself and take a look at vegan chocolate cake recipes to get your mouth watering.
35. Make time for self-care – self care goes much further than just a bath or a face mask. Taking time for self-reflection, writing in a diary or doing something you love can also be a form of self-care.
36. Spend more time with family – family time is so rewarding and setting some quality time aside to see your family on a regular basis is a great resolution to give yourself.
37. Prioritise your health – whether it's changing up your diet or exercising more, we can all make an effort to be healthier this year, and in turn, you'll feel amazing for it.
38. Drink more water – upping your water intake will help improve your overall health as well as the appearance of your skin, helping you look and feel less dehydrated and tired.
39. Practice patience – we all have a tendency to be a little impatient from time to time, but being more mindful of it is important. Try to slow down, work out what's fuelling your impatience and maybe even start keeping a journal.
40. Make eco-friendly swaps and choices – becoming more eco-friendly in your day-to-day choices is a brilliant resolution to have. There are so many simple swaps you can make to help the environment one step at a time.
41. Try new foods - bored of eating the same dinners every week? Why not switch up the meal plan and try different foods from other cuisines or pick up a new snack from the shop. Have a go at new recipes with subscription services like Gousto recipe boxes.
42. Declutter your home - don't wait until spring! If you've been putting off a big tidy-up for a long time, why not rip the bandage off and get tidying. If it seems too overwhelming, start by sorting something simple like a bookshelf or a shoe cupboard and work your way up to bigger tasks.
43. Go on more days out - getting out of your usual routine and heading somewhere new can be great for your mental health. Even if you simply go for a walk, there's plenty to do. If you can afford to, why not make a few theatre trips and see some great plays or try that restaurant you've always heard good reviews about?
44. Get a new pet - whether it's a furry four-legged friend or something scaly or feathery, pets can enrich your life by giving you something to look after and care for. There are plenty of animals that are in need of a home, so adoption is a worthwhile option. If you don't feel you can care for a new pet just yet, supporting animal shelters can be just as rewarding.
45. Embrace spontaneity – we can all be a little more spontaneous in life, so this year, try and say yes to more things, make loose plans and see where the day takes you.
A Digital Writer for Yours, Emily Gilbert has been a journalist since 2015 and has worked across a variety of specialist and lifestyle brands both in print and online. Specialising in product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases, her favourite being foody gadgets.