Setting new year’s resolutions can be overwhelming. But it’s not a bad idea to make a plan for letting go of bad habits and resolving to be better in the year ahead. Of course, the old favorites—losing weight, cutting out alcohol and making more money—are often unrealistic, too vague or out of our control. So we’re shaking things up a bit. We put our heads together and came up with a list of 23 creative and actionable resolutions to kickstart your 2023. Here’s to being better men in the new year.
- Rethink your workouts. You’re an active guy. You don’t need to remind yourself to prioritize fitness. But maybe your routine has become a little stale. Vow to change things up, take a class or book a few workouts with a new trainer to gain a valuable new perspective and learn some new tricks.
- Learn how (and when) to disconnect. Find times to unplug—turn off your phone, slam the laptop shut and get outside and out of your head.
- Buy clothes and tools that are built to last. Focus on quality not quantity. Support companies who make products that are built to last and stand by the ones who guarantee their goods.
- Invest in your education. Put some time (and money) into taking a course or some lessons. It could help you meet new people, advance your career or branch off into a new side hustle.
- Cook more. Dinners out are fun and takeout is convenient, but cooking at home has a lot of benefits—from better nutrition to developing your cooking skills.
- Make an organizational plan. It’s never been easier to let the distractions of technology hijack your day (and your productivity). Try planning out your goals and slotting days/times to accomplish them by, in order to stay on track.
- Master a new skill. It can be something useful for your job or simply a hobby that teaches you something new and lets you work with your hands.
- Sleep more. We’re all under-slept these days, right? Aim to add a solid hour to your nightly sleep schedule. You won’t get there right away, but it's a good goal.
- Read more books. Cracking a book open does so much for your mental health. It helps you slow down while also improving your vocabulary and stimulating your imagination.
- Reach out to a friend. Often, we underestimate the effect it has on our loved ones when we give them a quick call, shoot them a text or write them a note.
- Save more money. Even just a small percentage from each paycheck will add up down the line. Plan for the future and don't be silly with your money.
- Set boundaries. Have people in your life that are draining your happiness or productivity? Setting a few clear boundaries allows you to protect your physical and mental well-being without the need to cut people out of your life completely.
- Clear the clutter. Think of ways to get rid of the stuff weighing you down. Clutter is bad for your health and genuinely leads to stress. Tidy up and feel the weight come off your shoulders.
- Try random acts of kindness.They don’t have to be big. They simply have to be thoughtful in order to make an impact in the lives of those around you.
- Travel somewhere new. Whether by yourself or with friends, step outside of your comfort zone and head somewhere you’ve never been before. It's good for the soul and forces you to learn new things.
- Reduce your waste. Recent research found that the average American produces over 2,000 pounds of trash every year. Cut back on the amount you contribute by ditching paper towels, using reusable grocery bags or consolidating your deliveries to cut back on packaging.
- Volunteer. Not only is volunteering good for your own mental and physical health, but you're doing something kind and selfless for others.
- Drink more water. Even if you religiously carry your water bottle with you and down it during your workouts, you’ll never regret upping your H2O intake.
- Keep a journal. We’ve talked about this before, but there are a myriad of benefits of writing down your thoughts, fears, goals and gratitude. Even if you write only a few sentences, you can reap the benefits.
- Make your bed. This is one you should already be doing, but just in case you’re not, start your day with this easy, effective task. It’s guaranteed to provide you with a sense of accomplishment and a nice bedroom to come home to at the end of the day.
- Let go of your grudges. Start the year off with a fresh start and a clean slate. Leave anger, frustration and petty disagreements behind.
- Bring some plants into your home. They will most likely help reduce your daily stress and even improve your productivity.
- Stop multitasking. It’s not efficient and what’s worse, it can lead to memory problems and reduce your brain’s grey matter. Focus on one thing at a time.
* Stick It Out: If you want to ensure that you stick to your new resolution, you need to aim to keep up your new plan until March. That’s because the latest science has confirmed that it takes 66 days to establish a lasting habit.
