Out with the Old, in with the New in 2024

By: Guest Author

Published: January 11, 2024

Written by Sarah Kaminski- Guest Contributor

Ringing in the new year is often accompanied by decisions to make some life changes. In fact, according to statistical data, 37% of Americans have a goal or resolution in mind for 2024, with many wanting to improve their fitness, finances, and mental health.

However, if you’re trying to adopt the “out with the old, in with the new” mindset in the coming year, you must make resolutions you can stick to. Moreover, you will want to choose goals that will positively impact your life instead of creating unnecessary pressure to achieve something that’s either impossible to do or unhealthy for you in the long run.

So, if you’re looking for some good ideas to enrich your life in 2024, here are a few New Year’s resolutions to consider for the coming year.

Picking up a Hobby That Makes You Feel Good

There’s no better way to invest in your physical and emotional well-being than to find a hobby that makes you feel good about yourself.

Having a hobby you enjoy is good for you because it can relieve stress (or give you a much-needed moment for yourself). More importantly, many hobbies can require you to learn new physical or cognitive skills, which is super helpful when trying to improve your overall health.

Of course, discovering a new pastime can be expensive — especially if it requires a lot of equipment like some sports or DIY projects. Nonetheless, with the right frugal approach and a few inside tips on deals for crafts and hobbies, you can start your journey toward self-improvement without breaking the bank.

Invest in Relationships (With Others and with Yourself)

Social connections are essential for keeping us healthy (and sane). But the fact is, the older we get, the more time we spend on our own.

According to information collected by Our World in Data, the number of minutes we spend alone goes up from 278 minutes per day in our forties to 476 minutes per day in our eighties. Even more, the golden decades of life often mean having fewer opportunities to spend with family, kids, friends, and coworkers, making it that much more essential for us to ensure our relationships stand the test of time.

With this in mind, one resolution for 2024 could be to invest in relationships — both with others and yourself.

Whether that involves calling up one person you care about every day, being intentional about giving compliments, doing random acts of kindness, or taking yourself out on a coffee date is entirely up to you. What matters is that you use these ideas to strengthen your relationships and see it as an investment in the future that’s not just smart but enjoyable as well.

Do Something New and Unexpected

We’ve already written about how it’s never too late to follow your dreams. And if you’re thinking about New Year’s resolutions for 2024, write down everything you want to accomplish in your lifetime. (And remember that you don’t have to wait till January to start following your heart!)

Perhaps you’ve always dreamed of starting your own business — no matter how small. Or maybe you want to travel somewhere new all by yourself. Heck, your unexpected goal might be to invest so you can live off of compound interest in fifteen years.

So, as you plan new adventures in 2024, be bold and consider ones that might seem unexpected. Sure, they may require a bit of courage. But in the end, it’s overcoming the biggest challenges that makes the most positive impact on how we feel at the end of the day.

Don’t Skip the Scary Parts

Finally, as you try to get rid of old habits and adopt new, better ones in 2024, consider whether there are any scary or uncomfortable challenges you might need to tackle in the upcoming year.

For example, even though many people want to focus on fitness and health in the new year, research data shows that approximately one-quarter of people avoid medical care because it makes them uncomfortable. Furthermore, another 26% do the same because they are scared of finding out they have a serious illness.

So, if you’re trying to make positive changes in the coming year, you must do your best to face your fears and do what’s best for you. Yes — many healthy and positive habits require us to face a challenge. But, at the end of the day, doing something difficult or overcoming a fear is a small price to pay if the outcome has a genuinely favorable impact on our lives.

Final Thoughts

Are you ready to adopt new habits that will positively impact your quality of life?

As you’re exploring ways to do this, do your best to set yourself up for success. Don’t dream up momentous accomplishments. Instead, define small challenges you know you can complete every day and track your progress.

If you want to maximize your chances of attaining your dreams, see if you can find an accountability partner who’ll keep you disciplined when your motivation unavoidably wanes. That way, you’ll have the highest possible chances of doing what you set out to do and won’t have to go through the disappointment of having failed to achieve a goal that was impossible in the first place.

Author Bio:

Sarah is a life enjoyer, positivity seeker, and a curiosity enthusiast. She is passionate about an

eco-friendly lifestyle and adores her cats. She is an avid reader who loves to travel when time

allows.

 

 

The views expressed herein this article, written by a guest contributor, do not necessarily represent those of the Red Hot Mamas organization. The content is for informational purposes and should not substitute the advice of your doctor.