30 Unique New Year Resolution Ideas for a More Fulfilled Life

The Best New Year Resolution Ideas for Self-Care and Happiness

Are you ready to go into the new year ready to live a happier and more fulfilled life? In this article, we’re sharing unique New Year resolution ideas that’ll have a positive impact on your life.

Whether you’re looking to improve your wellness, have more fun, or build stronger relationships, there’s a practical and helpful goal for everyone below. We’ll share self-care resolutions, goals that can be easily added to your daily routine, and fun ideas to do with your loved ones.

How do you set meaningful New Year resolutions?

To set meaningful New Year resolutions, it’s important to choose one(s) that will improve your well-being and happiness. 

Consider not only what can help you accomplish this but what you’re genuinely interested in doing. Then, decide what actions will help you with your resolution(s). For example, you might want to spend quality time with your family once per week, so you’ll schedule a weekly activity together.

Studies also show that approach-oriented goals are more successful than avoidance ones. Approach-oriented goals are measurable, like earning a specific salary or learning two new hobbies. The best way to meet approach-oriented resolutions is to create a plan with smaller tasks that’ll help you reach your resolution.

New Year Resolution Ideas for Improved Wellness

Boost your wellness this year with simple New Year’s resolutions that can make a significant difference but are easy to incorporate into your daily life. From spending time offline to scheduling a spa day, here are some excellent ideas.

1. Take one day (or afternoon) a week entirely offline.

Although unplugging has many benefits, including better mental and emotional health, we rarely make time for it. Notifications seem never-ending, and we want to keep track of what's going on. 

If you struggle with going offline, make a point to reconnect with yourself, nature, and your loved ones by setting a specific day or few hours each week to sign off.

2. Say goodbye to things that don’t bring you joy.

A simple way to improve your well-being is to stop welcoming unpleasant things, like people and activities. This can be difficult if those things have become regular habits, but even eliminating small things here and there can be extremely rewarding.

Make a list of things you often deal with that don’t bring you joy (e.g., a person or a situation you’re in). Envision how your life would be if you distance yourself and create a plan for how you can do this.

3. Enjoy a spa day more often.

Spa days offer many wellness benefits, including stress relief, anti-aging effects, reduced pain, and healthier skin. 

Make a point to enjoy spa benefits by scheduling a regular spa day. To make sure it happens, set an intention with yourself on how often you'll go, whether it be every other Saturday or one time each month. 

You can also create at-home spa days with unique spa products from Oakwell Cosmetics – our favorite!

4. Join an exercise class you enjoy.

Weight loss and exercise are among the most common new year's resolutions ideas. If this is something you want for yourself this year, make it attainable by attending an exercise class because you actually like it.

There are many options, from yoga and cycling to Zumba and swimming. Choose one you enjoy and even consider switching it up after a few months to keep it exciting.

5. Improve your nutrition with meal planning.

Studies show that meal planning is associated with more food variety and higher success with nutritional eating. 

If you’re hoping to start eating better, set aside an hour each week to plan your meals out for the following week and create a grocery list with the items you need. Not only does this help with making sure you have healthy foods to eat, but it also saves you time and money when it comes to planning your next meal.

6. Refresh your look.

Many of us agree that a new haircut or outfit makes us feel much better. If you feel like you need a boost of confidence or you’ve become bored with your look, making even small changes to your appearance once a month can help you change things up and improve your mindset by boosting your mood, energy, and self-esteem. 

7. Do one (or more) acts of kindness each day.

Did you know that being kind to others reduces stress by decreasing blood pressure and cortisol? It also helps us feel more confident. Make kindness a habit by performing one or more acts of kindness each day. This can be something as small as complimenting your coworker or something bigger like volunteering at a community event.

8. Walk more.

Not only does exercise boost your mood and productivity, but walking 2,337 steps a day can increase your lifespan.

Tie walking into your regular daily routines by parking further back in the parking lot at work, walking an extra block with your dog, or meeting up with a friend for a walk after work.

9. Use a new hack to drink more water.

We all know drinking more water is key to improved wellness. Incorporate a new hack into your everyday routine to make sure you drink more water, like having a full glass of water as soon as you wake up or keeping a pitcher of water infused with fruit in the fridge to make it more exciting. 

10. Create or revamp your skincare routine.

A skincare routine is excellent for improved well-being because it reduces signs of aging and improves your confidence. 

If you’re short on time, create a quick skincare routine by washing your face each night and applying an SPF moisturizer each morning. Make it something that works for you!

11. Quit multitasking.

We often think multitasking allows us to achieve more. However, having many things going on at once can be overwhelming. Switching gears also slows down our cognitive function and makes us less productive and accomplished.

12. Create a gratitude ritual.

Research shows that gratitude makes us happier. Create a ritual where you express what you’re grateful for. Each day, write down, share with your family, or tell yourself out loud something you’re thankful for. 

New Year Resolution Ideas for More Fun

New year, more fun, right? Use these unique New Year’s resolution ideas to bring more excitement into your life.

13. Go somewhere you’ve never been before.

Exploring new places is the perfect way to reset and enjoy life. Go somewhere you've never been, whether it be for a weekend vacation or a unique afternoon activity in your city. Make this a habit by planning days or weekends to explore (e.g., once per month.) 

14. Start a new hobby.

Participating in a hobby lets you take a step back and enjoy yourself. Restart an old hobby or find something new. It can even be something you enjoy with a significant other or your children. A few fun ideas include starting a garden, learning how to sew, or camping in the backyard.

15. Revamp your daily routine.

The same activities every day inevitably get boring. Get away from the mundane and make life a little more exciting by revamping your daily routine.

Simple things you can do include changing up your go-to breakfast, taking a new route to work, or listening to a fun playlist or podcast while you prepare dinner.

16. Cook a new recipe each week.

Do you find yourself eating the same meals all the time? Snag a new cookbook or subscribe to a cooking blog and choose a new recipe each week to make. Do it solo for downtime, or do it with a loved one for a fun activity.

17. Plan a vacation.

Are you a traveler looking for new year resolution ideas? Go ahead and start planning your yearly vacation. Spend an hour each weekend looking for destinations, creating a travel bucket list, and planning your next vacation.

18. Try a new restaurant each month.

If you’re a foodie who enjoys going out, check out a new restaurant each month to bring more excitement into your life.

19. DIY your own spa day.

Not only is this a healthy New Year's resolution, but it's a fun way to maintain good health. Create a self-care day by setting up an at-home spa. Light a relaxing candle, take a relaxing bath or shower, and wear a comfy robe.

20. Redecorate.

Spice things up and bring some excitement into your life by redecorating a space you often use, like your bedroom or office. Add a new piece of artwork or plant, move the furniture around, and reorganize. 

21. Spend more time with loved ones.

Did you find yourself missing time with loved ones last year? Change that up and make the effort to spend more time with friends and family this year. Continue reading for ideas on this one!

New Year Resolution Ideas for Better Relationships

Good relationships improve our mental and physical health, and your relationships need attention to flourish. These New Year Resolution ideas are perfect for couples, friends, or even the relationship you have with yourself.

22. Go to bed with your partner.

If you and your partner often go to bed separately, try to create a schedule to change this. If it’s not possible to do this every night, pick a few nights a week to make sure you have this time to reconnect with one another.

23. Set a weekly phone call with a friend.

It’s easy to text our loved ones, but chatting with a friend or family member on a phone call can achieve a higher level of connection we often miss out on. 

24. Listen more.

Be a better partner and friend by listening more and talking less. In turn, you'll find that you're being appreciated and you're learning more about others.

25. Start writing notecards.

Not only is regular writing a great New Year's resolution idea for being more creative, but writing notecards is a fun way to build your relationships. Make it easy to maintain this habit by setting a box of notecards on your desk and writing a note to someone you care for once a day or week.

26. Schedule a monthly date.

You can do this with your significant other, a friend, or even yourself. Plan a regular date to give yourself something to look forward to and strengthen your relationships.

27. Turn off your phones.

This one’s simple yet so effective for building strong connections. When you spend time with your loved ones, turn off your phones and give each other your undivided attention.

28. Show your appreciation.

Showing appreciation can also go along with sending regular notes. You can also send a quick text to someone you love each day to show your appreciation.

29. Enjoy spontaneity together.

Being spontaneous is a fun way to reconnect and spend time together. For example, take an unplanned day trip or meet up for a mid-workday coffee once a month.

30. Share your goals with one another.

Choose a few New Year resolution ideas from this list and share them with a loved one. Not only does this help you set your intentions, but it allows you to spend time together and update one another on your goals.

Unique New Year Resolution Ideas: Conclusion

What goals will you set for the new year? Remember that your new year goal setting should be for you to enjoy! Make fulfilling resolutions and create a plan that makes them attainable.  

If you want to inspire a loved one to take care of themselves in the new year, consider getting them a self-care gift.