How to REALLY get a head start on the New Year

Last Updated on 4th March 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

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Forget New Year’s resolutions. (How many people keep them anyway?) Instead, start getting a fresh perspective on the year to come from today. After all, good habits are formed (and easier to keep) by repeating the same small actions on a daily basis. Here’s how to really get a head start on the new year!

Now, I’m not normally one for New Year’s resolutions. Because… why not make resolutions right now rather than waiting for the new year, right? There’s no time like the present! However, this year, I thought that if I were to write down my resolutions, then I might be more likely to keep them (probably just wishful thinking on my part)!

How to get a start on the New Year

#1 Don’t sweat the small stuff

I’m guilty of this one, and I’m sure you are too! Stop sweating the small stuff and instead start focusing on the bigger picture. Of course, with some tasks, it’s all about focusing on the smaller details. But in general, focus on what’s important and stop worrying about all the little things; you’ll thank yourself later on!

#2 Drink more water

We could all do with drinking a little bit more water. Between busy schedules and a million things on our plates, it’s hard to remember to keep hydrated. But your body and mind will thank you for it later on! Keep a cup of water on your desk and a water bottle in your bag.

Set a reminder to drink more water on your phone if you have to. After all, a hydrated mind is a more focused mind! If you want to be a little more eco-friendly this year, then why not also invest in a reusable water bottle? I also own an Ecoffee cup and find it perfect for taking a tea or coffee with me to work meetings and the like.

#3 Get more active

And no, I’m not talking about buying yourself that gym membership you’ll never use! Instead, set yourself smaller goals such as using the stairs more than the elevators, or walking or cycling for more of your commute to work. Plus, taking a green mode of transport will definitely help reduce your carbon footprint!

If you can, enlist a friend to help you and hopefully as a buddy to work out with. Go on walks, cycle with your family: try and be more active in little ways rather than in larger ways you won’t be able to keep up or maintain. Set yourself small goals and they’ll soon become habits that are easier to keep.

#4 Read more & Give yourself some time offline

Make 2019 the year you read more. Put down your phone every once in a while, take a break from the news and log out of your Social Media accounts. Instead, invest in some quality time with a good book and a cup of tea (or soft drink).

You’ll soon find that this little bit of relaxation in the day is a wonderful break from staring at a screen. Alternatively, if you’re pressed for time, then consider reading a book on the commute to work instead of looking at your phone screen all the time.

If you own an iPhone then monitoring your screen time and blocking the amount of time you spend on each app couldn’t be easier (here’s a tutorial.)

All I’m saying is: give yourself a little time away from the internet every once in a while… Looking for some reading inspiration and love travel? Here are the very best books about Paris!

#5 Purchase a planner

If you really want to get a head start on the New Year before it even arrives, then purchasing a planner (or at least download one from online)! 

Even if you’re ‘not a spreadsheets’ person, buying yourself a planner for the new year will help you keep track of appointments, important dates, and to-do lists. If you want to truly go old-school when it comes to documenting the new year, then perhaps you should consider creating a travel diary.

#6 Cut out some of the coffee in favour of tea (or even a herbal tea)

Coffee is a stimulant, meaning that it’s full of caffeine and can affect your sleep. Caffeine can also affect your mood, increase anxiety levels and give you headaches if you consume too much of it. Instead, switch out some of those energy-filled coffees for some less caffeinated tea.

Better still, drink some herbal tea (chamomile and mint are both great options) to ensure you stay better hydrated and your energy levels stay more level. Ditching the coffee and switching to tea is one of those easy detoxes you can make without being too hard on yourself…

#7 Plan a trip somewhere new

And it doesn’t have to be far away either! Is there a quirky café nearby you’ve always wanted to check out? Perhaps there’s a local historical monument, building, or national park you’ve always thought your best friend would love to see. So plan a little trip somewhere new, something to look forward to in the new year…

#8 Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep a night

Switch off all electronics at least an hour or two before bed. I know, this one is harder to keep than most resolutions; in an era when we have constant access to social media and emails, it can often feel like you can’t switch off.

That you have to constantly be glued to your portable device. However, make this the year that you give yourself permission to ‘switch off’ and relax. Besides, you really need to put down the phone screen before bed!

The ‘blue light’ of your screen actually acts as a stimulant for your brain and can make it harder to sleep, or even to relax. If you really can’t sleep, try closing your eyes and resting, or sip an herbal tea and read a book.

#9 Save 10% of everything you make

This is one of those things I wish I’d started doing from the beginning (like, when I took a year out of university and actually had a proper job). But #travel (oops). With the current economic climate, politics in more turmoil than ever before and an alarming number of zero-hour contracts being dished out on a daily basis, there’s no knowing what the future will hold.

Saving at least 10% of everything you make may not sound like the most fun idea when there are those sparkly shoes you fancy buying or that weekend getaway with the girls, but the future you will likely thank the current you for a little investment into your bank account!

#10 Spend at least 10 minutes a day on something you’re passionate about!

With work, family commitments, school etc. etc, it’s often really hard to find the time to spend the time on things we actually enjoy and are passionate about. However, dedicating just ten minutes to something you love will end up totaling 3650 minutes a year (over 6 days worth of time).

This means that just ten minutes a day can add up to a lot of productive time! So start practicing that language you’ve been thinking about learning, or snapping a few extra photos or even writing that book you’ve been thinking of! You’ve now got the time…

#11 Be nice to everyone you meet

That woman who just nudged you on the bus, that guy in the coffee shop who was particularly rude to you for no apparent reason, you have no idea what they’re are going through. Maybe they just lost their job, maybe they just got divorced: the point is, each and every one of us is going through some struggle or other. Be more compassionate towards others and you may just end up making someone’s day…

#12 Write. Every. Day.

Even if you don’t write a blog, or have a job that requires you to directly write every day, writing is a pretty vital part of communication. And who doesn’t want to get better at communication?

In the words of Stephen King ““Writing isn’t about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid or making friends. Writing is magic, as much as the water of life as any other creative art. The water is free. So drink.””

#13 Spend more time with loved ones

If there’s anything that 2016 taught me, it’s that you never know when your time’s up. So this year, I’m going to make more of an effort to keep in touch with my family abroad, my far away friends and spend as much time with my parents and sister as possible. 

#14 Smile More!

“Smiling leaves you with fewer wrinkles than frowning” is an old wives tale that I’m sure you heard about 2957162 times when you were growing up.

However, studies actually prove that smiling can make you happier! And even if smiling doesn’t make you happier (doubtful), you’ll likely have made someone else happier in the meantime as happiness is contagious…

#15 Take some social media breaks

Okay, okay this is the one thing I have to do more often. Despite being more connected than ever before, social media can often make us feel lonelier and less connected.

Ironically, studies have shown that social media like Instagram is actually making us unhappier than we were before. So yeah, take a couple of days break now and then!

If you’re still struggling to keep yourself off your phone or laptop, then find someone who doesn’t really ‘do’ social media to help you through. Considering none of my family or close friends really care about social media, I’m fortunate in that they’re constantly reminding me to ‘live in the present’.

#16 Limit your alcohol intake

Alcohol is one of the biggest time (and money) wasters I know of. Not only is it bad for your mind and body, but it costs an awful lot of money. Money that you could spend traveling, saving up for school, or even investing in a new hobby.

Not only does alcohol contain a lot of bad calories, it’s also pretty bad for your brain and kidneys. Besides, it’s always embarrassing when you wake up the next morning and realize you’ve sent your ex that “miss me?” text. (cringe…)

Not only does alcohol contain a lot of bad calories (as in, empty, nonnutritious ones), it’s also pretty bad for your brain and liver. Besides, it’s always embarrassing when you wake up the next morning and realize you’ve sent your ex that “miss me?” text. (cringe…)

#17 Live in the moment (at least for a little each day)

The funny thing about the future is that while we’re sat there, worrying about it, it’s constantly creeping up on us. Similarly, the past is slipping further and further away. Our brains are constantly active, dreaming/ worrying about the future and reminiscing/ regretting the past.

Try and spend at least a couple of moments each day just here and now. Whether it’s concentrating on the taste of your sandwich or the smell of your shampoo, try to concentrate on the here and now. Besides, it will be gone before you know it.

If you’re still struggling to do this, I really recommend trying some yoga, even basic breathing practices can help you declutter your mind, rest your brain and de-stress.

#18 Be active

So you don’t have to start the year by saying ‘I’m going to run a marathon’ because the reality is, for most of us, that’s never going to happen.

Instead, focus on smaller goals like walking half an hour rather than that ten-minute bus ride, or even just walking around a museum on a Sunday rather than having a Netflix binge.

Exercise (yes, even walking counts) produces endorphins which make us feel better and more content. Not only will your waistline thank you for doing a little more exercise, but so will your mind. Exercise boosts brain function and concentration; something we could always do a little more of!

#19 Start chasing those dreams!

What are you waiting for? Start chasing your dreams today. Because, if not now, then when?

#20 Stop Procrastinating

Okay. Admit it. You’re probably only on this post to avoid that essay you’re meant to be writing or writing that email to your boss! Stop procrastinating and you’ll find yourself with oodles of free time after you’ve got the necessary tasks done (and a lot less stress to boot!)

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