New Year’s Eve is a time for celebration.

It’s an evening of champagne, parties, and being surrounded by all the people who’ve made the past year bearable. That being said, New Year’s is also a time of reflection.

It’s the time when we all get to embrace our inner Capricorn and figure out ways we can improve so that our next year is even better than the last.

However, I don’t know about you, but I’m really over all the basic “I want to lose weight” or “I want to make more money!” New Year’s resolutions that people are constantly making.

I mean, of course you want those things. Don’t we all? 

This year let’s try something a little different. Maybe instead of making it your goal to lose weight, try instead to focus on simply living a healthier lifestyle. Or instead of vowing to make more money, why don’t you focus on finding more opportunities that will bring your life meaning and fulfillment?

Here’s our list of New Year’s Resolutions we think should be more popular:

Pursue your passions

Let’s make 2022 the year we find fulfillment in our lives, and one of the best ways we can do that is by filling our days with things we’re passionate about.

Why not dedicate some time to a hobby that has long been forgotten or try something new that you’ve always wanted to try!

Dig deep and find out what it is that you really want to do, then figure out a way you can make it happen.

Your passion doesn’t have to be something you do as a side hustle to make some extra cash. This is something that you can do just for you that makes you happy.

If, by pursuing this passion, you discover some new career opportunities, then that’s even better! — but monetizing your passion doesn’t have to be your goal.

For example, if you like taking pictures, start a new photography Instagram page or build a website showing off your favorite doodles and drawings.

It doesn’t matter how many followers or likes you have.

Just create a space to showcase your art, and maybe you’ll even be more motivated to stick with it.

Declutter your life and keep it clean

Now, I’m not just talking about cleaning and organizing your room, closet, and workspace (although, you definitely need to do that so you can start the year off fresh!).

No, let’s start 2022 on a good note by sitting down and taking assessment of everything you’ve got going for you.

Take a good hard look at all that you’re holding onto and decide what has passed its expiration date. Trim the fat, as they say.

Let go of what’s no longer serving you so you have more room and energy to embrace new opportunities.

Sometimes that even means letting go of connections or people who don’t propel you forward or add positivity to your life. You can still wish them well and end on a good note, all the while acknowledging that your relationship has simply run its course.

Once you’ve tidied up, make a genuine effort to maintain this new order you’ve established in your life.

I know it can be challenging, but everyday maintenance is easier than letting it all pile up and having to start from the beginning once more.

Reconnect with old friends and family members whom you’ve lost touch with

Aside from how isolating these past two years have been, it’s always hard maintaining relationships as you get older. High school and college friends start having families of their own. Families start dividing into their own little groups for holidays.

Besides, life just gets busy, and it’s easy for things to fall through the cracks, even if it’s people whom you truly love.

Make it a goal this year to reach out and remind loved ones that you still care.

You don’t have to make a serious commitment to rekindling a relationship if you don’t have the energy right now.

Just give them a call or a text, or if you’re really feeling sentimental, send them a hand-written letter just telling them you’re thinking of them and hope they’re doing well.

I guarantee you, it won’t be weird or awkward. They’re probably missing you just as much as you’re missing them.

With the past two years full of uncertainty, any kind gesture is sure to be much appreciated.

Spend more time in nature

I know we all have very busy lives and are constantly on the go, but I challenge you to get yourself outside at least once a day.

If that’s not something your life permits, then start smaller and try just a couple of times a week.

Now, I don’t mean walking from your house to the car so you can drive to work, okay? That doesn’t count. But you can start with a commitment as little as taking a walk around your neighborhood or going to a park once a week.

If you’re feeling adventurous, plan a trip to one of our great National Parks! Go camping or stargazing in the mountains. Explore new areas of the world where you’re surrounded by nothing but trees and woodland creatures.

It’s okay to disappear for a while so you can reconnect with our wonderful Mother Earth.

Being surrounded by nature can really put things into perspective and remind you how trivial your problems can be.

You’ll be surprised by how much better you’ll feel if you give your body some fresh air and sunlight — and take a break every once in a while from the hustle and bustle of civilization.

Take better care of the environment

While we can truly benefit from a wide-spread global policy to combat climate change, we still should do our best to reduce our own carbon footprints in an effort to help take care of the environment.

This can be as small as eating more vegetables or cutting out meat a few nights a week. 

You can put more effort into recycling or even just be more vigilant about unplugging electronics when you’re not using them.

If you want to go bigger, you can check into switching your home’s source of energy from gas, coal, or oil to a more renewable energy source like wind or solar.

Maybe look into starting a community garden at home or even at work!

If we truly want to enjoy all the beautiful gifts Mother Earth has to offer, we all have to do our part in protecting her.

Spend more time with yourself 

I know in these days of social media, it isn’t very common that you find people just hanging out by themselves, but I think that’s why it’s so important that we challenge ourselves to do it.

I’m not talking about locking ourselves in a quiet room to meditate or doing some yoga to find inner peace, although those are great practices too!

I mean, why not actually hang out with yourself.

Take yourself out on a date! Go see a movie or go out to dinner. Treat yourself to an appetizer and dessert, even if it means you take your entrée home for leftovers tomorrow.

Spending quality time alone with yourself is a great way to get to know who you really are, or at least who you are when no one else is watching.

It’s self-care and self-discovery all in one!

Self-Care Sundays

If you’ve read my “Self-Care for the Holidays” blogs [~links below~], you’ll already have an idea of what you need to add into your self-care routine depending on your zodiac sign.

((Aries, Leo, Sagittarius | Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn | Gemini, Libra, Aquarius | Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces))

But, in terms of the new year, I recommend dedicating one night of the week to self-care – typically Sundays are easiest because it’s the night before the beginning of the workweek. 

While the nights likely include face masks or a hot bubble bath to give your body some much needed TLC, you should also include some self-care for the mind.

Turn off your phone and find a nice little corner of your home that’s free of distractions or stressors. Give yourself time to hide away from the world.

Maybe read for pleasure or start a journal to help you process the events of the week and get your emotions in order for the next one. Set aside some time to plan the week ahead and set a few small goals to keep you on track.

In the rush of everyday life, it’s important to give your mind and body the time it needs to rest and recoup.

Focus on finding the happiness in your life

I know how simple it sounds, and being happy is a lot easier said than done (especially when our world is in such an unstable state), but I think it’s important that we try to focus on the good things in 2022.

If you can, work on switching up your mindset. Instead of focusing on everything that went wrong throughout the day, try to find things that made your day a little bit brighter.

Surround yourself with people who support you and bring joy into your life.

Invest in your space or a hobby that gives your life some meaning.

Dedicate time to doing what you love, and work on loving yourself as you try your best to improve in the upcoming year.

I know times ahead are still uncertain, but all we can do is focus on what we can control.

After all, just like the wise old wizard, Albus Dumbledore, once said:

“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”