23 New Year Resolution Ideas for 2023

2022 has gone by fast and has been a hectic year, to say the least.

The news has constantly been buzzing with over-the-top headlines, markets have crashed, and no one can tell what the coming months will bring. However, even though so much seems out of our control, we are still in command of a very important thing: our goals and ambitions. With the New Year quickly approaching, this is the best time to make effective resolutions for 2023 that we can actually stick to.

Below are 23 resolution ideas for 2023 that encompass work, life, and wellness.

1. Quit a Bad Habit

Coming in at #1 is a popular goal for many: kick a bad habit.

While this is much easier said than done, it’s a great resolution to make and can have some of the greatest effects on our lives and well-being. There is no one right way to do this either, so if one method doesn’t work, don’t give up and continue to persevere.

If you have tried to lose a bad habit once or multiple times in the past with no success, then you may want to try the next resolution.

2. Find a Replacement Habit

If your bad habit won’t seem to go away no matter how hard you try, find a replacement instead.

I covered the power of replacement habits in depth in a previous article, but I have found them extremely helpful. For example, I used to be an avid soda drinker but have since replaced sugary beverages with sparkling water. It not only satisfies the same craving but is multitudes healthier.

Try experimenting with healthier forms of your current habit and see if one sticks!

3. Create a Morning or Nighttime Routine

Let’s be honest, for most of us, mornings suck. However, we can help them suck less by making a routine.

I used to dread waking up, but my routine has made the start of my day much better. Not only is it easier to get up, but I feel much more energized and prepared for my day.

I go into detail on creating a morning routine here, and the next few resolutions are tasks that can be incorporated into your routine.

4. Drink a Glass of Water in the Morning

One of my personal favorite parts of my morning routine, simply drinking a glass of water to start the day, has increased the quality and productivity of my mornings.

Not only do many people not drink enough water daily, but our bodies naturally dehydrate throughout the night. By drinking a glass first thing, you will kickstart your body and mind and prime yourself for the rest of the day.

5. Make Your Bed

This simple task has been popularized in recent years, with many criticizing its effectiveness, but I highly recommend it to start your day.

While at first glance it may seem meaningless, doing something which requires a little effort first thing in the morning gives a sense of accomplishment. This has helped me to want to have more drive to complete errands throughout the day.

6. Drink Green Tea Regularly

Want an easy way to boost your health and brain function and help with anti-aging? Then green tea is for you.

Loaded with antioxidants, green tea gives you multiple benefits, along with the nice addition of a small caffeine boost. I personally like to drink it in the early afternoon for an energy kick, but having this superfood as a regular part of your life will do wonders long term.

7. Create a Vitamin Regimen

We all need vitamins, and now it’s easier than ever to create a strong vitamin regimen.

Taking them daily will have multiple effects, especially depending on the time of year, when some vitamins are harder for our bodies to naturally receive. My personal daily intake consists of Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Magnesium, and Vitamin C.

Please note it’s always a good idea to consult your physician before incorporating any supplements into your daily schedule.

8. Morning or Night Stretching

Whether it’s from sleeping all night or sitting all day, our muscles need some regular stretching to function optimally.

Not only is it pleasing physically, but stretching can also give mental benefits and relaxation. This can be done either through practicing yoga or even just stretching on your floor.

The key is to pay attention to your body and see where you are putting your stress, then target those areas. If you sit at a desk most of the day, then you will most likely need to stretch your back and shoulders.

Find if it works better for you to do this in the morning or the evening, and give your muscles a much-needed stretch!

9. Prepare Your Breakfast the Night Before

Many of us either skip breakfast or grab something that is fast, but unhealthy.

I have been guilty of this for many years, and the biggest issue was the process I used. I constantly told myself I would get up early to make breakfast, only to inevitably hit snooze and not have time; however, an easy life hack is to have breakfast made the night before, so you don’t even have to worry.

There are countless recipes to find online, and one of my favorites is overnight oats. It’s most important to find what works best for you and your dietary needs.

10. Journal

Writing down our day-to-day thoughts or events can be both enjoyable and stress-relieving.

Many find journaling to be a therapeutic activity, and it’s no wonder why. It functions similarly to talking with someone else, which can be extremely beneficial if we have repetitive thoughts weighing us down. A tip is to see if you are more primed as a morning, midday, or nighttime writer, as this will naturally make it easier for you to set time aside for consistent writing.

Better yet, you can look to publish your writings on a site if you choose to improve your craft and connect with others.

11. Meditate

Similar to green tea, meditation is a small task that can give enormous benefits to our lives.

The best part is it only takes a few minutes a day. If you are starting out meditating for the first time, all you need is 5–10 minutes to achieve results. There are also near-endless amounts of guided meditations for all types of mindfulness, and these will help you get into a good rhythm.

Try adding meditation into your life to relieve stress, calm your mind, and give yourself a break from your busy world.

12. Limit Time Spent on Social Media

It’s no secret we are spending too much time on social media; this year, the average person has spent over two hours per day using social media.

To put this in perspective, that’s 17 hours per week, 70 hours per month, and around 890 hours per year! These statistics are only set to increase in 2023. It’s a good idea to brainstorm how we can best use our free time instead of scrolling on our phones and computers.

To help combat this, I took a 30-day social media break this year, and the benefits to my focus and productivity were incredible. Even by just limiting your time by a few hours per week, you will see positive benefits.

13. No Screens 30 Minutes Before Bed

Going off of the last point, the most important time throughout the day to limit social media and screens is 30 minutes to an hour before bed.

The blue light from our screens not only makes it more difficult to fall asleep but it makes it harder to be alert the following day. With how much time we spend on our phones, it’s no wonder so many of us have issues falling asleep and feeling well-rested.

A great replacement for scrolling your phone at night is to read a book and place your phone out of arm’s reach. This discourages you from using your phone and will let your brain gradually wind down.

14. Go for Walks

With New Year’s Resolutions, it’s all too easy for us to come up with large fitness goals which we inevitably don’t follow through with.

Don’t let 2023 be like previous years. Instead, find little fitness additions you can commit to and make part of your daily routine. By far, the best and most accessible exercise is walking. It may sound simple and ineffective, but it has amazing benefits for your mind and body.

My favorite time to walk is in the evening after dinner. It’s great to make it a regular event with your roommate, partner, or neighbors so you can have others to enjoy it with.

15. Set S.M.A.R.T. Fitness Goals

If you are going to set larger fitness goals, then be sure to make them S.M.A.R.T.

S.M.A.R.T. goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Using this method allows you to have a better, tangible roadmap for your goals and increases the likelihood of completing them.

This goal structure doesn’t just apply to fitness; you can use it to make any of your ambitions S.M.A.R.T.

16. Take an Online Certification Course

The digital age may have brought many distractions; however, it has also given us many opportunities.

One of the best ways to maximize the effectiveness of your online time is to take a certification course. It can be for a degree or even a subject you’ve always had an interest in. Sites like Coursera.org give you access to classes from top universities and provide a certification once completed. You can then use the certification to boost your resume and skill set.

If you’ve been thinking about furthering your education or learning a new skill, this is the perfect time to start.

17. Learn a New Language

If you’re like 40% of the population who only speaks one language, myself included, then this is a perfect resolution for you.

It is often overwhelming to try and take on a new language. Where do you even start? However, just as with online certifications, there are multiple useful sites that can help you not only learn a new language but do so at your own pace. I have had the most success with Duolingo and have taken it upon myself to learn Spanish this year.

Don’t focus on the end goal of being fluent, instead, make it your goal to learn a little every day or week, and you’ll be amazed at how much progress you can make.

18. Read More

If you’re an avid Medium reader, then I can almost guarantee you have a stack or list of books you’ve been wanting to get through.

The problem isn’t the amount of reading we want to do, but the way we read. The best tips for reading focus and retention involve setting aside specified time for reading and eliminating distractions.

Five minutes of focused, uninterrupted reading is worth an hour of reading with the TV on and phone by our sides. By having certain times throughout the week dedicated to reading, you can drastically increase your total reading amount in 2023.

For goal-setting, try to quantify your reading goal. For example, I am aiming to read 12 books in 2023.

19. Find a Hobby

Hobbies are great ideas for more productively spending our free time, and they can give us a relaxing release from life.

If you are having trouble finding a hobby, experiment with activities you are interested in or explore adjacent activities. For example, I enjoyed video games but wanted to better spend my time and challenge my mind. So I picked up chess which still satisfies my competitive gaming urge but is much better for my brain.

If you already have a hobby, try and find a way to improve your skill in it, or try and find others to enjoy it with.

20. Create a Vision Board

A goals list is great for outlining your ambitions and staying focused. A vision board, however, can take your resolutions to the next level and help increase your chances of completion.

A vision board is essentially a board that has pictures that specifically represent the goals you want to achieve. If your 2023 goals are to exercise 3 times per week and move to a new city, then you can make a board with pictures of the gym and apartments in the city where you want to live.

You can then place your vision board where you will see it every day. Doing so allows you to constantly be reminded of your goals and will help keep you on track!

21. Travel

After the chaos that was 2020 and 2021, we all need some travel plans. If there is somewhere you have always wanted to go, start to plan out the travel details and fun things you want to do on the adventure.

This doesn’t have to be a huge trip, either. You can plan a short trip to a city you’ve never been to, or maybe there is a spot nearby you’ve always wanted to check out but didn’t have the time. One of the best trips I took in 2022 was a hiking trip at a park only 2 hours away from me.

There are so many gems to find wherever you live. All it takes is planning and dedication to make it happen.

22. Connect with Your Loved Ones More Often

We all get caught up in our lives, and sometimes this means we don’t reach out to those we care about as often as we may like.

Especially after the pandemic, it’s incredibly important to be conscious of how we are connecting with loved ones. By taking a little time every day or week to show our love and concern, we can make others’ lives better.

This can be anything from a simple “good morning” text or saying “I love you” more often to inviting an old friend over for dinner or making plans to visit a family member in another location.

23. Volunteer

It feels good to give back. More importantly, the time and energy we spend giving back greatly improve the lives of others.

With so many virtual or in-person volunteer methods, you can find something that works best for you and your skill set. If you don’t have the time to actively volunteer, it is beneficial to find a charity or organization you can consistently donate to.

I hope these ideas will help you craft your 2023 New Year’s Resolutions and that they will stick and help you in the coming year!

Let me know what other resolution ideas you have and what methods you have found helpful for staying consistent with your goals.