10 Worthwhile New Years Resolutions to Have

We’ve all been there—New Years Eve. And a friend asks you what your resolutions are. You’ll answer: "I wanna lose X amount of weight," or, "I’m gonna try to eat healthier."

Most resolutions are either unreachable or made to tell but not actually try to achieve. They are too vague or negative.

Here are some New Years Resolutions that are achievable and positive.

1) Drink more water.

One more glass of water a day will only do you good. Staying hydrated fights premature wrinkles and keeps the skin healthy.

It flushes out bodily waste; the digestive system depends upon it to work smoothly.

2) Volunteer.

Giving up the time you waste watching Netflix for a better cause benefits everyone. Volunteering at your local charity shop or pet rescue centre once a month allows you to meet new people, do something that will benefit others, and can boost self-esteem and confidence.

3) Reduce the amount of plastic you use.

Buying a reusable bottle not only saves you money but reduces the amount of plastic you use and throw away.

Reducing the amount of single-use plastic you buy—for example, buying groceries loose or carrying a reusable cloth bag instead of wasting 5p every time you shop—will have positive benefits on our planet.

4) Spend less time on your phone.

Studies have shown that scrolling through social media has a negative impact on our mental health.

Reduce the amount you spend on your phone for around 30 minutes and give meeting up and being social a go!

5) Read more.

Aim for a book each month if you don’t read much. If you do, challenge yourself with three books a month!

Books allow us to delve into other amazing worlds and forget our own problems for a while.

6) Go on a new course.

Learn a new skill such as cooking or mentoring. You’ll learn something beneficial and meet new people on the way.

7) Buy thrift or second-hand.

You’re probably not fully aware of the impact fast fashion is having on our planet. It’s the second largest pollutant and the textiles industry has been shamed for child exploitation, too.

Buying second-hand or from thrift stores means you’re giving clothes another chance, and they’re usually much cheaper! Apps such as Depop and Shpock are good places to look for quality clothes for amazingly low prices.

8) Save up some money.

Putting a certain amount of money away each month means you won’t feel like you have to spend it on anything. Decide to save up for a holiday or to pay for debt, or just have it free in case. You never know when you might need it.

9) Adopt, foster, or sponsor an animal.

We all know that there are thousands of animals in need of love and care. Fortunately, there are animal rescue centres, but they are often strained financially and can be understaffed.

Adopting or fostering an elderly cat or dog gives them a chance to be loved, and will benefit the animal rescue centre. Pets are lovely companions for yourself and scientists have found they counter signs of loneliness and boost happiness.

If you don’t have the ideal lifestyle for this, however, you could sponsor an animal or donate to the branch. They’ll be grateful and you would have done a good thing! You could also adopt a smaller pet such as a hamster.

10) Judge less.

No one is perfect, not even you. Everyone has been through some bad shit in their life which doesn’t show on the outside, so be more empathetic. You won’t define people by giving them a rude name in your head, so why waste your time judging when you could love and appreciate more? You’ll be happier and more grateful for what you have.