New year’s resolutions are meant to be made to improve our lives in the coming year.  Most of the time, they are meant to change an undesirable trait or behavior or accomplish a personal goal.  We tend to make the same resolutions year after year and rarely achieve them.  If you are tired of making the same resolution over and over, try a few unconventional new year resolutions and have some fun!

Here are 7 Unconventional New Year Resolutions

Pick your “word” of the year

For 2019, my word was “persistence”; in 2020, it was “connection.”  For 2021, I chose “discipline.” In 2022, I chose “create.” 2023 I chose “focus.” Focus on one thing at a time, on what I love to do, and on how I can bring more joy to myself and others. I’m working on my 2024 word.

Other possible words are surrender, inspire, heal, discover, strength, transform, forgive, grow, calm, grateful, bold, and renew.  How do you feel about 2024? Can you think of another word? Read How To Choose Your Word of the Year to help choose yours.

Make a bucket list

Pick 52 small things, check one off every week, pick 12 new adventures, and do one once a month.

Here are some ideas to get you started.

• Do an escape room
• Drink a $100 bottle of wine
• Run a 5K race
• Take a hot-air balloon ride
• Do 100 push-ups and 100 sit-ups
• Go snorkeling
• Hike a new trail
• Go ax-throwing (yes, it is a thing!)
• Learn to play an instrument
• Start a blog!
• Complete your will
• Redecorate a room
• Adopt a pet
• Write poetry

Learn to love your body

As Louise Hay used to say, look in the mirror and say out loud, “I love you; I really, really love you!”  Do this every time you pass a mirror, and you will start to believe it.  Find parts of your body you like and build from there.  Start with something, even if it is your fingers, toes, eyes, eyelashes, or eyebrows.  When you love yourself, you tend to make better choices.  You will want to eat better, move more, and listen to what your body wants.

Eat (or order out) at a new restaurant every month

This one is pretty self-explanatory—Google restaurants near you. Talk to your friends for recommendations.

How about eating a different cuisine each month?

• January: Mexican
• February: Italian
• March: Chinese
• April: Visit a new brewery
  

  Mexican!

• May: Sushi
• June: Splurge on Fine Dining
• July: Go Wine Tasting
• August: Burgers and Fries
• September: Cajun
• October: Steakhouse
• November: French
• December: Thai

Conquer a Fear

• Speaking: Join a Toastmasters club or start by talking to a small group of your friends.
• Flying: book a short flight and practice meditation and relaxation techniques to get you through.
• Failure: Think about the worst thing that could happen if you fail.  Then do it; if you fail, learn from the experience and try again.
• Rejection: Put yourself out there; if you are rejected, it may help guide you toward something better.
• Heights: Take a safe hike with someone you trust and see the amazing views from above.

Volunteer

There are lots of places to volunteer, but here are some suggestions.

• Food shelf
• Local community theater
• Special Olympics
• Schools
• Humane Society
• Local Library
• Habitat for Humanity
• Political Campaign
• Retirement/Assisted Living Home
• Give Blood
• Church

Stop saying you are sorry!

Stop letting “I’m sorry” spill out of your mouth so easily!  You do not have to apologize for things other people did or every time someone says something slightly negative.  Reserve those words for when you are truly sorry about something. Let them regain their sincerity.

Read new books

Maybe it’s one fiction book a month. Or a book that will help you in your job. Find books that will help you live a life you love! (like The 5 Ls of Living Marvelously, of course!). If you read one new book a month, think of all the knowledge you will gain this year! What could you do with that? How can you change your life?

OK, that’s eight new resolutions you can try!

Bonus Unconventional New Year Resolutions:

Some of these are not unconventional New Year resolutions, but a little different than the usual lose weight, exercise more, save money, and quit smoking variety.

My ongoing goals or resolutions for myself are:

• To love myself as is
• Continue my writing
• Be open to possibilities.
• Take care of myself
• No judgment on others
• Take chances and try new things
• Make time for my creative side!

So, try something new this year!  Life is meant to be lived.  Do something fun, take a baby step toward your dream, and make sure 2024 is a year of achieving your goals and resolutions!

New Year’s Day is the first blank page of a 365-page book.  Write a good one!