Here are 20 Soulful New Year’s Resolutions You'll Actually Stick To This Year

If you’re rolling your eyes at the thought of creating another set of goals or resolutions this year, you aren’t alone.

A lot of us set these resolutions every year. The glimpse of a new year and a fresh start offers hope for change, especially when it comes to personal growth and development.

We go all in during the first few weeks. Then, the newness of it all fades away, our motivation dwindles and soon, we give up: It’s the classic cycle.
Possibly unsurprisingly, only 8% of people who set resolutions achieve them.

“Why Do I Always Give Up On My Resolutions?”

Most people set high standards, as a result, it makes it hard to even get close to them. Lots also lack an action plan when creating resolutions - meaning they never take that first step toward their goal - or they do, but then they fail to follow-through in the long-term.

By February, most people are done and they’ve lost their motivation, leaving their New Year’s Resolutions swept under the rug. The excuses pile up: It wasn’t for you and It was too hard. Winter offers enough struggles as it is.

So, if you’re sick of ‘em or you want to feel a little bit of a sense of accomplishment…

20 Easy 2020 Resolutions You’ll Actually Stick To

Here are some based on common resolutions we know everyone has tried at least once!

1. “I want to eat better.”

Start adding more veggies and fruit in your diet.

Say goodbye to fad diets and attempts that don’t work and instead of filling up on low nutrient-dense, high-calorie foods, go for more fruits and veggies. It starts at the grocery store when you make the choice to pick fruits and veggies for a snack instead of chips and candy.

At home, precut your fresh snacks and put them in jars so they are ready to eat, this leaves no room for excuses.

2.“I want to exercise more.”

Do 10 minutes, 3x a week.

I’m serious! Starting small is a sure-fire way to change your habits. Ignore your insanely fit friends that brag about spending hours at the gym, which can be just as harmful as helpful for our bodies.

Do HIIT or just a quick 10-minute walk around the block. Just start moving a little more, you can do it.

3.“I want to save more money”

Start putting a set amount aside every week or every paycheck.

10-20 bucks a paycheck? You won’t even miss it from your bank account. If you can afford a little more, go for it because it adds up.

At a minimum, if you get paid bi-weekly and add at least 20 bucks a month and it will add up adds up to 240 a year.

It might not sound like much but it’s a start, but every little bit counts. Soon, you’ll have that emergency fund and savings you’ve always dreamed of.

4. “I want to reinvent myself in 2020”

Go for a haircut or dye, or try learning new hairstyles to change your overall look in 2020.

Try something fun with the knowledge that hair is hair, It’ll grow back.

This way you won’t have to go blow a bunch of money on a new wardrobe. Ask your favourite hairdresser for their suggestion - what do they think would look best on you or suit your style? Remember, it’s not a permanent change, but it can be a fun way to mix things up and boost your confidence.

5. “I want to lower my daily calorie intake”

Try sticking to water beverages only.

Liquid calories can creep up on you and that double cream and sugar coffee in the morning is adding to your calorie intake.

If you can’t have that coffee without it, okay fair enough. Instead, cut back everywhere else: No more soda and no more juice. If you’re thirsty, drink some healthy and calorie-less H2O.

6. “I want to lose weight”

Ditch the fad diets and go for a more whole foods approach.

This is also an easy way to reduce your caloric intake if you’re overeating, additionally, limit the packaged and processed junk food in your life. Consider anything pre-packaged, unbuyable. Make food at home so you can snack on healthy foods.

Are Yhese Resolutions Not for You?

Here are some more wellness resolutions that we love!

7. Resolve to do 1 kind act a day

It’s so easy: Hold the door for someone, say thank you, ask someone how they are, compliment someone, smile, do something nice for someone you care about, spread a little more positivity in the world, etc. Anything we can do to add more kindness in the world is worth the time and effort - we need it.

Read this next: 10 Random Acts of Kindness You Can Do Today

8. Disconnect for 20-30 minutes a day

Let go of your digital technology for a few moments. Place your phone out of reach, turn off the T.V., close your laptop, get outside, and just be.

We suggest getting creating by reading a book, painting, writing, or dancing. It will do wonders for your mental and physical health which are often affected by too much social media and technology.

If you want to sleep better this coming year… consider doing this before bed or right when you wake up. Disconnecting can help you sleep better and wake up more naturally - and in a good mood!

9. Clean house

Start doing one small area at a time!

Decluttering has numerous benefits, once you declutter your space and you’ll declutter your mind.

A new year means out with the old and in with the new. Aim to get rid of 5 items a week until you feel satisfied with your space. It will also contribute to you feeling way less stressed!

10. Try something new

You can achieve this right away. Do it the first week of the new year. What have you been wanting to try but putting off? Do it now - especially while the optimistic new year feeling is still fresh.

11. Meet someone new

Again, you can absolutely do this in the first week of the new year. You can even do it while trying something new!

It’s important to step out of your comfort zone even though it might be daunting. Try joining a class or a book club in order to meet likeminded people, you’ll feel good about it after and it resonates feelings of a fresh start in the new year.

12. Meditate for (at least) 1 minute a day

Meditation is tough, but what would happen if you just did 1 minute a day? Everyone has 1 minute somewhere in their day. It’s entirely doable and achievable. Do that mini-meditation each day. Your mind will feel better for it.

13. Count 5 things you are grateful for every day

Feeling a little blah? Want to feel more happy in this coming year? Start doing daily gratitude. Watch your spirit soar by counting your blessings (actually). Find 5 things each day. It doesn’t have to be all at once. It can be throughout your day, but try to find something - anything - that you’re thankful for (and hey, that nice lookin’ cloud in the sky totally counts).

14. Split your goals into monthly goals

Okay, so there’s a lot you feel that you can work on in the personal growth and development department. Don’t sweat it, it’s best if we don’t try to tackle everything at once because it sets us up for failure.

Instead, try to change one tiny thing each month. It’ll give you small steps, as well as not leave you feeling overwhelmed or wanting to give up.

Learn more about this here: How to Set Smarter Resolutions for 2020

15. Work on your communications skills

Hey, we could all benefit from learning to communicate and listen better, also it’s a behavioural change that you can absolutely achieve. It’ll take a little bit of mental effort and some conscious thinking. Yet, it’s one that will get you far with your relationships and communication.

When you talk less and listen more, you’ll understand others better. People appreciate that. You’ll start to gain a new perspective, which is something we all really need a little more of.

So, don’t focus on what you’re going to say next: Think about what the person is saying and seek to understand.

16. Rid yourself of emotional baggage.

What’s holding you back? Vent about it by writing it out, this will allow you to process and acknowledge your feelings. Then, regret it, accept it and just move on.

The past can’t be changed and it’s all about accepting that, then moving forward with a resolve to be better.

17. Start a hobby

Make a list of the things you’ve always wanted to try and schedule out an hour or two a week to try them out. You’ll find something you love and it could become a great outlet for you throughout 2020.

18. Commit to being on time

This can save a ton of stress in the short and long-term. It may be difficult at first but try to commit to leaving 5-10 minutes earlier and show up on time or a bit before. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll feel better - trust us.

19. Dedicate more time for YOU

Set aside a couple of hours every week. You can choose what activity you do but the point is that you choose it.

Get a massage or take a bubble bath or just chill and watch a movie by yourself. Give yourself this time to reset and relax and just be alone, because we all need a little more of ‘me time.’

20. Further your career

Pick up those books and start learning. The only way you’re going to change your career path is by doing, not watching.

Whether you want that next big promotion or you want an overhaul of your entire career, reading and learning will get you there. Start this year - even just signing up for a course or learning new communication strategies at work can go a long way!

Don’t Over-Complicate Things!

Keep it simple, make it small, and make it doable. In other words, make new year’s resolutions you can actually stick to! All of this is possible - just choose any from the 10 examples above.

Read Next: How to Set Your New Years Resolutions With Intention