Inside: Fun goal ideas for the New Year that aren’t writing New Year’s Resolutions.
It’s that time of year when it seems like everyone is writing New Year’s Resolutions. But writing our goals for the new year isn’t for everyone.
If writing New Year’s resolutions just isn’t your thing or if you’re wanting to do something different this year here are a few alternatives to consider.
Just because you don’t want to write our resolutions for the new year doesn’t mean you don’t want to do something.
Here are some fun alternatives to writing out New Year’s Resolutions.
10 Fun Alternatives to New Year’s Resolutions
Pick one (or more) of the ideas below as a different way to plan for the New Year.
Yearly or Seasonal Bucket List
I love creating bucket lists for so many different things. It’s such a fun way to keep track of things you want to do.
If you do a quick search (or click here) you will find holiday bucket lists, seasonal bucket lists, and travel bucket lists I have shared.
Many of those posts also include free printables for you to write your own bucket list. Maybe I’ll create a yearly bucket list printable for next year.
Word of the Year
Instead of writing out New Year’s resolutions some people like picking a word to focus on for the year.
I did this for the first time a couple of years ago. I chose the word “work” and spent the year focused on doing the work that needed to get done on the website, in my home and with my kids.
This year I’m also choosing a word for the year and it’s going to be “unplug”.
This post has some ideas for a word of the year.
30 Day Challenge
30 day challenges are a great way to get things done in a short amount of time. You can do one challenge for the year and call it good or you could do a different challenge each month.
Here are just a few different 30 day challenge ideas you might want to consider trying.
- Drinking More Water {Get a free printable tracking sheet here}
- Taking a Break from Social Media
- Budgeting
- Eating at home
- Working out
- Reading
- Going to bed early
The challenge can really be anything you want it to be. The above list is just a few ideas to get you started thinking.
Yearly (365 Day) Challenge
Yearly challenges can be a lot of fun. Typically they are something simple that you do each day for a year.
Several years ago I did a photo a day challenge and I loved it. Looking back on that year I have a fun photographic journal of each day.
Other yearly challenges I have heard of are keeping a daily gratitude journal, getting up early each day and reading a story to your kids each day.
Just like a 30 day challenge a yearly challenge can be anything you want it to be.
Pick something that you want to make into a habit and have that be your 365 day challenge.
Scripture Verse of the Year
Just as some people like to pick a word or phrase to focus on each year others like picking a verse of scripture to focus on for the year.
A couple of verses I have seen used several times are:
- Jeremiah 29:11
- Proverbs 3:5-6
Vision Board
Creating a vision board is a great way to visualize the things you want to accomplish in the next year.
A few years ago I made this rustic vision board and I loved how it worked. It was so easy to take things off the board as I accomplished them and add new dreams when I wanted to.
Related Post: DIY Farmhouse Vision Board
Choose 1 Project to Work on
When we are thinking of things we want to do for the next year it can be easy to try to do to much. This makes it overwhelming and more often then not we just walk away without accomplishing anything.
Instead of writing a whole list of goals and things you want to do, just pick one.
That’s right pick one thing to focus on this year. Large or small that one thing is what you really want to make happen in the next year.
Write a Mission Statement for the Year
Writing a mission statement is a fun way to write down what you want to accomplish during the next year. Be sure to include why accomplishing those things are important to you in your statement.
Habit Track
Habit tracking is a fun way to see yourself improve. You and habit track just one thing or several it’s totally up to you.
Create a habit tracker in a spreadsheet program or do a quick search on Pinterest and you will find tons of habit tracking ideas.
Write a List of Things You’re Looking Forward To
I’d you don’t want the pressure of having New Year’s resolutions to work on instead write a list of things you are looking forward to for the next year.
Be sure to include accomplishments, vacations, fun activities and anything else you are looking forward to doing.
Final thoughts
While each year I love writing out my New Years resolutions I also enjoy doing some of these alternative activities.
Each year I do things a little bit differently and that’s the beauty of starting a new year, month, week or day.
We can change what we have done in the past, try something new and figure out what works best for us.
So weather you decide to do one of these alternatives to New Years Resolutions or you decide to write out your goals more traditionally, do what works for you and have an awesome year.
More Posts You Might Enjoy
Year In Review Free Printable
Free Printable Goal Setting Worksheets for Kids and Adults
Fun Holidays to Celebrate This Year