Hello, New Year! I really like the beginning of a new year; it’s a time to re-set and start fresh. Of course, you can set goals and start fresh at any time, but the new year is definitely a great choice. 
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Here are 19 ways to have the best year ever and to inspire you throughout the year:
1. Plan out your day, week, month, year
I love putting pen to paper and really mapping out my day or week. When you know the plan for the day, it helps to eliminate any uncertainty and makes the decision-making process much easier. Just having a plan makes it more likely that you will complete your task and help you to stay organized along the way. I love my Erin Condren Life Planner for keeping me on track every day.
2. Be mindful
Being “mindful” is all about being present in the moment — truly being aware of yourself and your surroundings. I’ve mentioned the book, Skillful Means before, but it’s definitely a good book that will encourage you to be fully present in each thing you do. Being in the present moment is all about experiencing life as it’s happening; not worrying about errands or work tomorrow.
3. Detox from the internet
To help with being mindful, it’s important to take a break from your phone, computer, and the internet. Make memories with your friends and family and truly be present in each experience instead of trying to compose the best Instagram picture or updating your Facebook status.
4. Drink more water
Water is such an important part of your body; it affects everything from brain function to how your skin looks. Make it a point to drink more water and your body will thank you. I like to drink out of a fun tumbler to motivate myself to stay hydrated.
5. Go for a walk
It can be daunting to set a fitness goal or start a new workout routine if you aren’t already working out or have a base built up. Just going on a walk can be the beginning to a new lifestyle change or a time for you to meditate and unwind from the day. Incorporating just 15 minutes of walking can help you feel better throughout the day. I track my steps with my FitBitHR which I love.
6. Eat more fruits and vegetables
Your diet impacts your health and how you feel so much. Eating healthy fruits and vegetables will help you to maintain/lose weight while keeping you energized throughout the day. Each decision you make about what to put in your body will impact how you feel throughout the day. Evaluate the difference you feel when you eat an apple or carrots as a snack instead of a soda or candy bar. Making small changes at dinner — spinach or broccoli over french fries — can keep you feeling balanced throughout the day.
7. Take time for yourself
Whether it’s reading a book, doing a facial, soaking in a bath, writing in a journal — taking at least 30 minutes for yourself can help you to re-center and to re-charge for the day/week.
8. Write down your goals
It’s always fun to look back at your past goals to see what you have achieved. Again, you don’t need to wait for the new year to make goals or improvements in your life; you can start at any time. I like making SMART goals to help me be most successful. Hold yourself accountable, but be realistic.
9. Create a vision board
A Vision Board can be a poster board or a page in your journal, a Pinterest board, or anywhere where you can map out your best life. What makes you happy? What is your ideal life? Whatever it is, keep it in the forefront of your mind. Cut out pictures and make a collage. Picture yourself doing what makes you happy in a place that you love. If you see yourself at the beach with no debt and working on your novel; visualize it. Look at your vision board every day and see your life the way you want it to be. It might sound strange, but by making your vision a priority, you will make decisions that lead you toward those goals.
10. Create a budget
A budget is good for everyone. If you don’t have one, you need one. Begin by listing your income for the month and your guaranteed expenses (rent, groceries, utilities). Whatever money is left over after covering the essential guaranteed expenses should be used to pay off any outstanding debt; you don’t want debt so making it a priority to pay debt off should come before your “restaurant/coffee house” budget. If you don’t have any debt, contribute to an emergency fund and a savings account. Whatever money that’s left over, make some financial goals — are you saving for a downpayment on a house, a vacation to Europe, a wedding? Making a budget will help you see where your money is going each month and where you can make changes to achieve your financial goals.
11. Write down one positive thing each day
Remember the good parts of each day by writing down at least one positive thing that happened. When you look for the positive things in each day, that will become your focus and your entire day will be better because you have a better outlook.
12. Go on a trip/ vacation
It is nice to plan a vacation or trip; it doesn’t need to be far or even for that long. A relaxing weekend or a fun day trip can be a great experience for you to have a change of scenery and appreciate something new.
13. Declutter your closet
The beginning of the year is a good time to go through your closet. When was the last time you wore some of these clothes? When was the last time you saw that sweater? Does everything still fit? Declutter your closet and donate or sell your old clothes. It’ll create space in your closet so it’s more open, but also, you can clearly see all of your options without having to sift through clothes that don’t fit/you don’t wear anymore.
14. Create more
Instead of buying new things or consuming tv shows or photos online, create something of your own. Start up a blog if you enjoy writing, try out a new makeup look, try out some fun DIY’s (like making your own Lush-inspired bubble bars), write a song! It’s fun to interact and produce your own content.
15. Start a new hobby/pick up an old hobby
Invest in yourself and your skills by starting a new hobby or picking up an old hobby. I’ve been enjoying knitting, but I have been “taking a break” for a while — this year, I plan to start up again and finish this blanket I’ve been working on. Maybe you want to learn painting, sewing, Spanish, or candle making. Whatever it is, try out an activity that you enjoy or are curious about & have fun!
16. Try some new recipes
I love looking up new lunch or dinner recipes to try out on the weekends. Again, Pinterest is amazing for fun recipe ideas, from quiche, to pasta, to smoothies — find something that looks good and try it out.
17. Reflect on your day
Take 5 – 10 minutes each day to reflect on what happened. What was good about today? What are you proud of or excited about? What did you learn? Just taking a few minutes to green insight into yourself that day can help you to appreciate the day more and celebrate your successes.
18. Follow a cleaning calendar
Looking on Pinterest, I found quite a few cleaning calendars for each day, week, month, and season. This is a great way to stay on track with keeping your home clean and fresh all year.
19. Surround yourself with what makes you happy
Keep only things that you love in your home. There is no reason to collect or hoard things that don’t bring you joy or make you happy. Purge or sell any items that you don’t use; they aren’t serving you stored in a closet or in the back of a drawer. Only keep what you love and only buy what you have room for and need for. Let your new year be clean and fresh; full of things that add to your life and your experience.
