If you’re looking for ways to reset for the new year, this post is for you! The start of a new year feels like the perfect opportunity to analyze what you want to improve from the year before and move forward with how you’d like to get your s*it together.
This post is all about the 17 best habits to reset for the new year!
1. Take a look at the past, present, and future
Take some time to reflect on the past year, the present year and the future. By future, I mean the latter half of the year. Often when we’re resetting for the new year, we start habits that we don’t carry throughout the year. In order to have a successful reset and truly get your s*it together, we’re going for longevity here!
Ask yourself:
- Past: What is one thing from the past year I want to bring into this year?
- Past: What is one thing from the past year I don’t want to bring into this year?
- Present: What actions can I take to be more mindful in the present?
- Present: What matters in my life right now? Why?
- Future: What challenges have I overcome so far this year?
- Future: Look back at your list of goals for the year. Which goal can I strive to achieve by the end of this year?
2. Bask in silence
A study in the journal Heart in 2006 found that silence can relieve tension in just two minutes (source). If you’re trying to reset for the new year, consider making space for silence. Although many of us are intimidated by silence and often avoid it at all costs, silence is incredibly beneficial.
One of the biggest benefits of silence is that it encourages mindfulness and increases focus. The clarity provided by silence can help you to think more clearly about your goals and actionable steps to achieve them.
Additionally, silence has medical benefits for your body such as decreased stress, stimulated brain growth, lessened insomnia, increased awareness, ability to hear your inner voice, and decrease feeling overwhelmed.
This year, challenge yourself to bask in silence. Silence is truly golden.
3. Declutter your email inbox
Let’s declutter that inbox this year! Let’s be honest, how many unread emails do you have? Declutter is such an easy way to help reduce stress and get your s*it together. While most people think of a part of their home to declutter such as minimizing their closet, don’t forget to tackle that email inbox.
Not only can decluttering your email inbox help you become more organized, they also help decrease your carbon footprint! Sending emails and storing them requires energy which creates CO2 (carbon dioxide), a greenhouse gas. Although this is a very small percentage of overall CO2 emissions, think about what a difference this can make if everyone unsubscribes from unwanted email lists.
Don’t forget to unsubscribe from unwanted e-mail lists as well. This will prevent your inbox from cluttering back up!
4. First Fifteen
When you are considering how you want to reset for the new year, consider your morning routine in the process! What you do when you first wake up in the morning is instrumental. In fact, the first fifteen minutes of your day can determine the outcome of the rest of your day.
How your first fifteen looks may be different for everyone because we may each have different goals we want to get out of the day. Regardless of the way the first fifteen look, being intentional about those first few minutes will make a difference.
Here are some things to consider for your first fifteen:
- Praying/Meditating
- Reading
- Not checking updates on your phone (texts, emails, etc.)/ not going on social media
- Make your bed
- Enjoy a cup of coffee in silence
- Listen to a podcast or audiobook
- Go outside
- Journal
Take control of your day as soon as it gets started!
5. Wake up before the kids
I’ll be honest, this one tip has completely reset and reshaped my year.
If you’re a mom, this is a habit you absolutely have to incorporate in your reset for the new year! This tip goes hand in hand with the tips above, the first fifteen. Even if you’re only waking up 15 minutes before your kids – it makes a difference!
Waking up before my kids allows me time to be ME before I am MOM. I can set my intention for the day on my own terms instead of reacting to the terms of others. In addition, it helps you bring more clarity and patience to the start of your day! You’ve already taken care of yourself, now you have more mental space to take care of others. When I wake up before the kids I’m more gentle, peaceful, and understanding. This habit makes mornings much smoother which helps for a less chaotic start to the day.
6. Move your body
I cannot talk enough about the benefits of moving your body. Being physically active is not only great for you mentally, but also physically.
The release of endorphins to your body helps reduce stress and it is beneficial for your health. Moving your body actually helps you better do other things in your life! It helps your memory and your thinking.
Now I know that we’re all incredibly busy and we often don’t have time to fit in moving our body, but don’t overcomplicate it. Moving your body does not have to mean spending 30 minutes to an hour in the gym 5 days a week.
Sometimes we’re not able to truly get feel like we’ve gotten our s*it together because our goals for ourselves are unrealistic.
Here are some simple ways to incorporate moving your body in your reset for the new year:
- Take a walk around your neighborhood in the morning before work or evening after work. If you work from home, take a short walk during your lunch break.
- Practice yoga! I’ve recently been loving Yoga by Adriene on YouTube. Some of her videos are 10 minutes long (like this one!). I even do bedtime Yoga videos if I’m pressed for time! Those are usually very short, can be done in bed, and help reduce stress and promote sleep.
- Walk your dog. Having a dog is great motivation to get your body moving. Both you and your fur baby will appreciate it!
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator
- Park far away when you drive to the store. This will help you get a few extra steps in!
- Use a tracker to track your steps: a Fit Bit, an Apple Watch, etc.
- If you work at a desk, stand up during part of your workday.
7. Top three goals of the day
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you’re trying to reset for the new year. Start the habit of writing out 3 goals for the day. This is helpful because it allows your mind to focus on a smaller about of items to tackle. It is also helpful because it is realistic and manageable. This inspires you to actually get things done instead of experiencing paralysis from overwhelm.
For more on how to make an effective to-do list, check out my blog post here on How To Create a To-Do List That Actually Motivates You
BONUS: Set up monthly reminders to check in on progress
As we get further from the new year, we have a habit of forgetting about the goals and resolutions we made at the beginning of the year. In fact, research has shown that about 80% of New Year’s Resolutions fail by February (source).
To hold yourself accountable, set up monthly reminders to check in on your progress. Are you meeting the goals you’ve set for yourself? Are you maintaining the habits you’ve wanted to put into place? Checking in with yourself will help you make corrections and continue your reset throughout the year.
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