New Year’s Resolutions for 2026

Protect your peace this year. This may mean saying no to things (or people) that don’t add to your life, setting boundaries, practicing self care, or choosing environments and relationships that keep you grounded and smiling. Whatever it looks like for you, protect your mental and emotional balance to succeed in every way this year!

Learning a new skill is overlooked and may seem overwhelming or too time-consuming at first. However, if you give it a try you may discover an exciting new passion, hobby, or even future career. Whether it’s creative, academic, or practical, you’ll learn something new that expands your sense of capability and keeps your mind sharp and engaged.

We all do it, that 30 minute TikTok scroll right before bed. It feels harmless in the moment, but it doesn’t just affect our sleep health, but our overall well being, mental health, and next-day stress. Reducing our screen time before bed can improve sleep quality, lower stress levels, and create a healthier nighttime routine. Small changes, like putting your phone away 30 minutes before bedtime, sleeping with your phone in a different room, or reading instead can make a big difference.

It’s about time we spend less, save more, and learn how to invest our money well. Learning the basics of investing empowers you to take control of your future and build healthy money habits early. Talk to knowledgeable people, define your goals and risk tolerance, get your finances in order, and open up an investment account. You’re now one step closer to all of your life ambitions!

Did you know that having strong relationships can increase longevity? That’s why you should invest more quality time and care into your close friendships, romantic partners, and families in 2026! Whether it’s intentional communication, fun activities, deeper conversations, or quality time, you will create closer bonds and strengthen your support system.

A decluttered space = a decluttered mind and a healthier planet. Instead of constantly buying new and throwing away barely used old clothes, try passing items on to donation centers or new owners, and maybe even earn some money while doing it. Depop, ThredUp, The RealReal, and Poshmark are all great platforms for buying and selling clothes. 

If you spent your first semester this school year focused on academics, friendships, and adjustment, then your second semester is a great time to kick off the new year by joining a new club. You never know what niche club you may stumble upon that will give you new hobbies, skills, communities, and even new friends.

Regularly reflecting on the good in your life – big or small – helps shift your mindset. Gratitude builds resilience and increases overall life satisfaction. You can practice it daily, through journaling, meditation, or just telling your loved ones that you’re grateful to have them in your life. In turn, you will feel more appreciative and positive.

It may sound cliche, but when was the last time you finished a book for pleasure reading? For many, the answer is probably months or even years ago. Making reading a habit strengthens focus, reduces stress, and stretches your imagination. You can replace some of your doomscrolling time with a couple minutes of diving into a book each day to mentally escape and continuously learn new things.

To reconnect with your body and boost your energy, mood, and confidence, try a new kind of exercise! Sometimes our usual workout routines or preferred exercises can feel repetitive and boring. So, push yourself out of your comfort zone in the gym this year! Try going for long walks, pilates, cycling, running, yoga, dance cardio, or hiking to switch things up and stay healthy. 

It can be hard to keep up with your most important relationships during the busiest times of year. Make it a goal for yourself to spend intentional time with your family, new friends, old friends, romantic partners, and pets. Whether it be a weekly phone call, a time to grab coffee together, or a Sunday morning debrief, preserve some energy to pour into those who matter most to you. Or, make it a year to go out and make new friends to add to your life!

It’s undeniable that we all have those accounts on our social media feeds that leave us feeling a little less confident, satisfied, or content with ourselves and our lives. The good news is that we don’t have to watch things that don’t fill our buckets. In fact, one of the best things about social media is all of the influencers who spread positive messages. So, out with the old and in with the new!

It’s so simple, yet so valuable. Being open to new experiences, whether spontaneous plans, unexpected opportunities, or small moments of fun, helps you grow in ways you didn’t anticipate. Saying “yes” invites adventure and often leads to the memories you will cherish most in life. Get out there and enjoy all that life has to offer in the new year!