It’s that time of year again—time to look back on the past 12 months to see just how far you’ve come and look ahead to the next 12 to figure out what else you’d like to do. Of course, that’s what your New Year’s resolutions are all about, and setting goals is one of the biggest New Year’s Eve traditions.
While it’s always fun to plan your New Year’s Eve party, creating resolutions might feel more daunting. Too many people use their New Year’s resolutions as a way to punish themselves or beat themselves up for not being good enough, but that’s not a good way to inspire yourself to change, says Traci Stein, PhD, a psychologist and adjunct professor at Teachers College, Columbia University. “Instead, make resolutions based on self-compassion,” she says. “Commit to these kinds of resolutions, and you will find you are healthier, more balanced and ultimately more satisfied with the result.”
To help you become happier and healthier in 2026, we rounded up some of the best New Year’s resolution ideas that you won’t just want to keep but that you’ll actually be able to keep. Good luck, and happy 2026!
Learn one new word every month
One word a day keeps the boredom away (at least to us!). By learning just one word each month, you’ll be building knowledge without feeling overwhelmed.
Saying “no” more often
Take the time to actually focus on protecting your time and emotional well-being. By setting boundaries and refusing energy-draining activities, you preserve space for what truly matters.
Waking up earlier
Waking up earlier than your usual morning routine might seem impossible, but if you gradually start, it’ll become a habit. Early rising, even 15 minutes earlier, gives you more time to reflect and plan your day before the day begins.
Do simple stretches every morning
Don’t ignore the benefits that come with a good old morning stretch! This New Year’s resolution will help you increase your flexibility, circulation and energy levels. Plus, you might feel more motivated to start the day.
Visit a national park
Take the time to connect with nature and recharge. It’s a refreshing New Year’s goal that combines adventure, relaxation and personal growth.
Read one new book every month
Add “read more books” to your list of New Year’s resolutions. Between your job, social media and all your favorite online activities, it may feel like all you do all day long is read stuff, but there’s a huge difference between reading information on the internet and getting lost in a great story. In fact, reading a novel actually changes your brain, improving memory and boosting your brainpower for days after you finish the book, according to a study published in the journal Brain Connectivity.
Buy a new fruit or vegetable
The world is filled with strange and wonderful foods, so why stick with navel oranges and broccoli? Expand your palate by buying one new fruit or veggie at the store—and then actually eating it. That new taste may even be one of the lucky New Year’s foods. Plus, it doesn’t have to be major. You could swap out your standard red delicious apples for a new variety, like a snapdragon, or try purple cauliflower instead of white.
Write a thank-you note to someone from your past
Have a teacher who introduced you to your career? A childhood friend who stood by you for years? A relative who was always there to listen? Get a nice card, write down your memories of how that person changed your life, thank them and send it off. They will treasure your “Happy New Year” wishes, and you’ll benefit from remembering a positive moment in your life.
Read your credit card statement each month
You may think you know where your money is going, but unless you’re actually taking the time to look at all your charges, there’s a good chance you’re forgetting a lot of little (or big) purchases. And those purchases add up. No matter what your zodiac sign’s resolution is, going through your credit card charges—once a week, biweekly or monthly—can help you catch fraudulent charges, fix mistakes and control your savings.
Meditate every day
You have probably read dozens of articles about the many benefits of meditation and know you should do it, but it’s just so … boring? Daily meditation doesn’t have to be a struggle though. Install a meditation app, like Headspace or Calm, on your phone, and let it do all the hard work. You can pick the meditation, and a guide will talk you through it. The hardest part is showing up.
Sign up as a volunteer
Pitching in at the food bank for one Saturday in December is good, but charities need volunteers year-round, not just over the holidays. Brighten your life and someone else’s by signing up to volunteer weekly or monthly.
Watch one new documentary a month
Netflix and the like are a bounty of brain candy, but let’s not forget that along with all nine seasons of The Office, the Internet also holds the entirety of human wisdom. Add documentaries to your list of New Year’s Eve movies. Then, take advantage of all this free knowledge by setting aside an evening each month to watch a new documentary about a subject you’d like to learn more about.
Leave a nice comment on someone else’s social media every day
Instead of using social media to talk about yourself and wait for the likes to roll in, use it to build others up. Take two minutes each day to scroll through your feed and tell your friends how gorgeous their new baby is, how impressed you are with their successful fundraiser or simply how much you love them and how glad you are that they’re in your life. You can even write positive New Year’s captions in your Instagram posts to motivate others. Easiest good deed—and easiest New Year’s resolution—ever!
Post a beautiful picture daily
Set a daily goal to post one picture of something in your life that you find beautiful, like a leaf curling on the sidewalk or the pattern raindrops make on your window. Don’t forget to add an inspirational New Year’s quote. It will give you a boost of happiness and inspire others to look for the positive.
Take a walk outdoors every day
If “exercise more” is always at the top of your New Year’s resolution ideas list and you never actually do it, ditch that idea and try this one instead. Not only can nearly everyone do it, but walking is free and you can multitask by listening to a podcast or talking with a friend. Add in the great outdoors, and you’ll get some fresh air and sunshine. Bonus: Walking also increases your mood and your creativity.
Celebrate a new holiday every month
Did you know that Jan. 1 is not just New Year’s Day but also National Hangover Day? (Makes sense, really.) And that’s not the only weird holiday you’ll find on the calendar—nearly every single day of the year celebrates something. Sign up for Days of the Year to discover all sorts of wacky holidays and pick one you’d like to celebrate, including some of our favorite national food holidays.
