Happy New Year!
I bet you already have your New Year’s Resolutions selected for the year. Let me guess:
More time at the gym
Focus on mental health
Better, more nutritious diet
Save more money
Did I nail it? According to Forbes and USA Today, these are some of the most common New Year’s Resolutions from the past year. And that’s for good reason! These are all great goals, focusing on a happier and healthier life. Almost all of these are on my 2024 wishlist myself.
But it can be hard putting so much pressure on yourself first thing in the year. These are important goals, but they are lifelong journeys of learning and prioritization for ourselves. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a goal that’s no pressure, and also, if it happens, it would just be… fun?
Let’s dive into some ideas for fun and unique resolutions that focus on joy and creativity, rather than the ever-popular fitness or work-related goals.
Unconventional Joyful Goals:
Doodle a Day: Remember being in school, taking notes, and doodling in the margins of your notebook? Consider indulging in a daily doodling habit. Whether it's on a notebook or a digital platform, the goal is to express creativity in a lighthearted way.
Random Acts of Kindness: It feels good to give back, but it doesn’t have to be a slog. Challenge yourself to perform small, unexpected acts of kindness throughout the year, either once a week or once every three months. This could be anything from leaving positive notes in public spaces to paying for someone's coffee.
Fun Fitness Goals:
Dance Your Heart Out: Instead of the gym, investigate a dance class or incorporate dance into a workout routine. Even going out to a club could work! Not only is it a fun way to stay active, but it's also a great stress-reliever.
Nature Yoga: Yoga is relaxing as it is, but maybe a change of scenery could take it to the next level. Consider practicing yoga outdoors. Whether it's in a local park, on the beach, or in the backyard, connecting with nature can add a refreshing element to fitness goals. Plus, you get the added bonus of spending more time in the fresh air!
Creative Learning Goals:
Learn to Play an Instrument: Let loose your inner rockstar. All it takes is picking up a musical instrument and fiddling with it casually. Get serious with weekly or monthly classes, or just spend your free time with a YouTube video to guide you. This could be a ukulele, a keyboard, or any instrument that sparks interest. Worst case scenario, you get a good way to spend your spare time and a good conversation starter.
Artistic Exploration: Explore various forms of art—from painting and sculpting to digital art. Attend art classes or experiment with different mediums. Paint and Sip classes are a fun, low pressure way to explore a new artform, or just getting a hunk of clay from a craft store can be a good way to practice creative play.
Mindful Tech Goals:
Digital Detox Days: Suggest scheduling regular "digital detox" days where you can disconnect from social media and screens to focus on in-person connections and real-world activities—especially for dedicated workers, toiling away at your laptops, desktops, and smartphones at all hours of the day; this is a great way to enforce a work-life balance for yourself. And you’ll find those strain headaches receding as well!
Photo Journaling: Traditional journaling is a common enough goal, but maybe that’s not your medium. Consider a photo journal to document daily moments. This goal combines creativity with mindfulness, allowing you to reflect on (and remember) your meaningful experiences. It turns Instagram into a guilty time-suck into a healthy expression of your inner thoughts.
Easy Giving-Back Goals:
Monthly Volunteer Day: Resolve to dedicate one day each month to volunteer for a local charity or community organization. This could involve activities like helping at a food bank, participating in community clean-up projects, or assisting at a local animal shelter.
Support Local Businesses: Giving back to your community can take lots of forms; this way, you don’t have to punish yourself for splurging on a gift or investing some money into a nice charcuterie board. Whether it's shopping at a local farmers' market, dining at independent restaurants, or purchasing handmade goods from local artisans, your support of small local businesses can make a significant impact on the community (and your fellow business owners).
It’s so important to incorporate joy and creativity into resolutions. The journey towards self-improvement doesn't have to be rigid or overly serious. By infusing fun and creativity into your goals, you can make the process more enjoyable and increase the likelihood of success.
Here’s to a new year full of fun, laughter, and joy! Happy 2024!
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Written by Jordan McAndrew