Top Impactful New Year’s Resolutions for 2023  

With a new year right around the corner, it’s common for people to think about the future. So what is ahead for you in 2023?

A New Year resolution is a tradition that goes back centuries. Unfortunately, they are not just famous for being something people do every year but also for being something many fail at every year.

Still, a new year means starting fresh, so why not set some goals for yourself? The key is to be smart about it. If you make a resolution going into 2023, make it an impactful one.

Here are a few New Year’s resolutions we find impactful at Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley and suggestions on how to keep them.

Accomplish One Small Thing Every Week

And by small, we mean really small, like cleaning out the change cup in your car. You get satisfaction from accomplishing anything, including the seemingly meaningless tasks in your life that you have been ignoring, like that change cup.

At the beginning of each week, establish a small but impactful goal to accomplish. That will set you up for success instead of failure. Keep the project small and actionable. If you make it too big, you may not do it, which would have the opposite effect.

Instead, focus on the little things that tend to slip through the cracks, like dusting the blinds in the bedroom or wiping under that one plant in the living room. You’ll be surprised how quickly those little things make a difference.

Do One Thing to Help the Environment

There is a lot of talk about the environment and how significant changes are ahead. But you can make a difference by just doing one thing in 2023 to help out. So, maybe, this is the year you start recycling cardboard or promise to pick up the trash on the street in front of your house.

When it comes to environmental issues, nothing is too small. If you do your part, even a little bit of it, you’ll feel better about yourself, which is a plus going into a new year.

Go Secondhand When Possible

Since we are talking about the environment, add thrift store shopping to your list. Buying things gently used not only reduces the amount of waste in landfills, but it is also a way to give back to your community and the world.

Also, this is a well-kept secret; it’s a lot of fun. You will understand what we mean the first time you find that one perfect thing at one of the Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley stores. It’s that thing you’ve been looking for forever, it seems.

Not all thrift store finds are life-changing, but even the little ones will give you a feeling of accomplishment. You can also put more money in the bank if you buy secondhand. That means thrift store shopping is a way to accomplish several goals, including spending less.

Be Healthy

Pick one area of your health that you want to improve, and don’t make it the obligatory “lose weight.” Pick something actionable. Maybe that means exercising more. An excellent way to start is by picking up exercise clothes at Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley.

Maybe this is the year you want to eat healthier home meals. Head to the book section at Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley and find a cookbook to get you started. The point is when you decide your goal, you’ll want to jump-start it by getting the right equipment to get the job done.

Unplug by a Certain Time Each Day

Many people spend every waking hour in front of some high-tech gadget. It might be a laptop computer, smartphone, or game console. The result is they spend less time doing other things like talking to family, reading a book, or exercising. For students, it might be doing research at the library instead of online.

Make 2023 the year you put down the gadgets and start doing other things again. Our addiction to technology is relatively new. However, people did find ways to get by without it once upon a time. Your over-taxed brain will thank you.

Be Kind

Kindness is one of those things that catch fire. It can mean something different to everyone, too. Maybe you need to be kind to yourself. That could help alleviate negative thinking and make you feel better.

Your goal might be an act of kindness each day. It doesn’t have to be significant. Something seemingly insignificant as holding the door open for someone can matter. Little things count. Once you start doing little kind things for yourself and others, they will become second nature.

Try One New Thing a Day, Month, or Year

Try something new on a schedule. That will mean something different to each person. Maybe you try something new each week or once a month. It doesn’t have to be a big thing, either. Perhaps this is the week you try broccoli cooked a new way or finally go to the one restaurant you’ve heard so much about.

Don’t put limitations on your new things, like promising to learn something new each month. Just keep it open and plan to do one new thing on a schedule. That is a goal most people can accomplish.

Reduce the Negativity

Really think about the negative things in your life for the new year. What do you do that just makes you feel lousy? Is it going on a particular social media platform? Maybe it’s the one friend that brings you down.

Make 2023 the year you lose the negativity, whatever that means to you. Once it’s gone, find something positive to replace it. For example, you could take a walk during the time you would normally spend on social media. Instead of texting that negative friend, read a book. Turn the negative into something positive in your life.

New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be that thing you make each year and then don’t do. The trick is to find something you can be passionate about all year long. For most people, small resolutions are the most impactful.

If you are stuck on what to do for 2023, see us at Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley. We’ve got all kinds of ideas to get you started.