Well, it is a new year, and a new you could be on the horizon. Maybe you have already broken those resolutions you weren’t really going to keep. But that doesn’t mean 2024 can’t be a good year for improving your life a little.
Maybe this is the year you get around to reading more, cooking healthier food, and quitting the very bad things you do. There’s a whole year to get things done, so don’t overwhelm yourself. If you are stuck, here are some handy suggestions.
Start with a Confidence-Building Makeover
Getting the holidays out of the way and starting a new year can be draining. The last few months can take their toll, and then we have to dredge through winter. But spring is next, and that’s a great time to rebuild your wardrobe, experiment with hair extensions, and treat yourself to some pampering. Paying yourself some love gives you the confidence to move forward with a smile on your face. And doors open when you are feeling better about life and full of positivity.
Read Some More Books
Reading is an essential part of life. And although we can feel like we want to read more, life has a habit of getting in the way. Whether it’s fiction, biographies, or even the newspapers, reading opens you up to new ideas and possibilities. Here are some ideas for reading some more:
- Buy a used eBook reader and download books based on your interests.
- Start or join a book club among your friends and read some modern classics.
- Try audiobooks you can listen to anywhere, even when exercising or working.
Okay, so audiobooks aren’t exactly reading. But they can help keep you informed or escape somewhere new for a while.
eBooks readers aren’t expensive these days, and a used one won’t break the bank. Reading can also be a social activity with a book club to discuss literature.
New Skills for a New You
Learning new skills can be practical or hobbyist. Either way, it’s a powerful use of one’s time. Musical instruments are among the most common skills that people want to learn. But they are challenging.
Around 90% of beginners don’t finish learning how to play guitar. But skill can be anything, really. The handier, the better because you can put these to good use. Or you can even start a new career with skills such as coding, graphic design, or crafting for items to sell.
Try Something You Always Wanted To
Most of our lives are filled with unfulfilled dreams we wanted to achieve but never got around to. A more colloquial term for this would be a bucket list. Quite accurate despite its comical vulgarity.
Whatever your dreams are, it’s never too late to put yourself out there and fulfill lifelong ambition. Perhaps you have always wanted to ride the Orient Express or maybe drive a Ferrari. Whatever it is, you deserve to treat yourself to something you always wanted.
Volunteer in the Local Community
One of the most fulfilling things in life is being part of a strong community. We can all be part of communities, whether it’s a book club or an online gaming platform.
But there is none more important than the local community where you live. Your neighborhood is there for everyone, and you have to live there. So why not work together to make it a better place? Local school fundraising, coaching the sports team, and organizing community cleanup days are vital.
Learn to Cook Healthier Food
Your health and life will change when you learn to cook healthier food. Cooking fresh provides more nutrition than anything you can buy premade.
The activity itself provides stress relief and relaxation for many people. It can take time and minor changes to your life, such as:
- Make a plan based on the food you enjoy eating and cooking.
- Map out your weekly meal menu and buy groceries around it.
- Supply your home with a fresh fruit bowl you can pick up when hungry.
- Invest in good-quality pans, knives, and cooking utensils.
- Watch TV chefs and write down recipes that get you excited.
- Use Google to find handy suggestions for weeknight dinners.
- Resist the temptation to buy convenience food and takeout meals.
Planning your meals saves time and money. Make a grocery list based on the ingredients you need, and you will spend less time in the store. You can also use leftovers, such as ground beef from burgers, in the next day’s recipes. Watching chefs on TV and YouTube will help.
Get Your Finances in Order
Most of us could do with more money. But it isn’t the fact that you don’t have enough money, it’s probably that you don’t manage it well.
The past few years have been trying, and 2024 doesn’t look like it’s going to get any better. Inflation and energy costs are still a threat, so managing money is essential. Keeping track of income, expenses, and bills is vital. It helps to make lists, spend within your disposable income means, and cut unnecessary and unused costs.
Get Outside More for Exercise
Of course, we know exercise has many benefits. Nature has many benefits, too. Combined, they make a supercharged way to improve your mood and stay healthy physically and mentally.
Both make better use of feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin, and these reduce feelings of depression and anxiety. There is no overnight cure for mood disorders. But being more physically active, especially outdoors, helps your body and mind become better adjusted.
Better Sleep Creates a New You
Someone once said that the best tool in your makeup bag is a good night’s sleep. This isn’t too far from the truth, as sleep can have a positive or negative impact on your body and mind.
Too much can cause tiredness, and too little also has the same effect. Between 10% and 30% of people globally have insomnia. And this requires professional treatment. But good sleep is promoted with a good routine and environment, quality bedding, and kicking bad habits.
Quit Your Bad Habits
Further to kicking bad habits, maybe this year you stop some of the worst that is dragging you down. Smoking, drinking alcohol, and even gambling are among the worst, mainly because they are also legal. It isn’t going to be easy, but a good start to quitting bad habits includes these:
- Remove yourself from situations where you know you are likely to smoke or drink.
- Replace bad habits with alternatives that are healthier, such as exercising.
- Ask friends and family to support you through the situation and talk you down.
Quitting an addiction or unhealthy behavior will change your life immensely for the better. First, you will see almost immediate health improvements and mental clarity. But you will also bond better with others in a positive way. And think about how much money you will save as well.
Clean Your Home More Often
Your surrounding environment can and will affect how you feel. Keeping the home clean is a guaranteed way to feel better about your situation. Your mental health is greatly impacted if you come home from work to a dusty living room, a kitchen of dirty dishes, or an unmade bed.
It can be challenging to clean a neglected home. But it gets a lot easier and quicker when you keep on top of things. The key is taking pride in your home and making it an inviting space to be in.
A simple makeover with a new hairstyle or some new clothes can be all it takes to boost confidence for a new you this year. Cooking healthier food will also help you with nutrition and save money. Keeping the home clean and tidy works wonders for mental health.