When there’s a new year on the horizon, it’s only natural to think of which goals you’d like to set or about any positive changes you’d like to make in your life. This year is no different, and now’s the perfect time to start brainstorming your next move.
The best part about the new year is the promise it holds. Here are three goals to consider that will make it your best year yet.
1. Go Exploring
When was the last time you went on a trip? When was the last time you felt the thrill of exploring a new place? For so many people, it’s been too long. And the new year is the perfect time to change that.
The best part about traveling is that the possibilities are endless. Whether your ideal trip is a Southern Caribbean cruise or a backpacking expedition around Europe or something in between, there is something out there for everyone.
You don’t need to take the vacation of a lifetime to reach your goal. All you need to do is get out there and explore. Not only will it enrich your life, but it will also ignite your desire to make travel a more consistent part of your life.
2. Focus on Your Health
One of the most common goals made with the coming of each new year is to get in shape, to lose weight, and to become healthier. However, it’s also one of the most common goals to get left in the dust. Life gets busy with work, family and friends taking precedence. It happens.
But what’s really important here is understanding what health is. It’s not just the number on the scale, the calories you eat in a day, or the time you spend working out. True health is all-encompassing. It’s your mental and emotional health, your physical health and your sense of well-being in general.
There’s a lot of work to do when it comes to your health and it’s important to remember that it’s an ongoing process. Everything you do each day will determine how healthy you are; there is no finish line. Yes, set a goal to see progress or hit milestones — but know there is always something more you can do.
Keeping a journal of your progress, learning how to meditate, and reducing or eliminating unhealthy habits will be helpful in your journey.
3. Simplify Your Life
Life has a way of getting complicated. Sometimes it can sneak up on you, other times it happens gradually. The trick is knowing when it’s time to simplify.
However, simplifying isn’t going to look the same for everyone. Take some time to think about how you’re feeling about your work-to-life balance, your calendar, your home, and your personal life. Are there things that stand out as sources of stress, frustration, or general unhappiness?
Oftentimes, implementing a routine at home to clean, organize and declutter regularly is a great starting point for tackling other areas of your life you might be feeling overwhelmed by. The more organized, simplified and balanced you feel in your home, the better your chances are of having that feeling follow you through everything else that happens during your days.
Don’t be afraid to turn down invitations. Learn how to say no. Make changes with work if you need to. Identify relationships in your life that need work and if they mean enough to you, put the time in. Be sure everything in your life holds value.
Setting goals for the new year can be exciting. Think of it as a glimpse of what’s to come, of ways your life might improve. Then, commit to getting there. Have confidence in your abilities and make it a priority to work on your goals each day. With enough momentum, you’ll be able to get right back on track if you slip up.
The big question now is, where will you begin?
