Create New Habits Versus Empty Resolutions in 2024
Jan 18, 2024
As the new year begins, people often feel the need to create an endless list of resolutions—goals like “lose weight” or “spend less time on social media.” However, those resolutions often start strong and end quickly. Within a week of creating new habits, 77% of people managed to keep them up, but that number drops to 19% after two years.
Instead, try creating small, positive new habits that can gradually make a big impact on your life.
Creating New Habits Starts with Your Mindset
Habits are routines or behaviors that are practiced regularly and soon become second nature. Of course, there are good habits, like brushing your teeth, and bad habits, like scrolling Instagram for hours, and often it’s easier to slip into bad habits.
However, changing a habit doesn’t mean changing everything about yourself. Instead, you can gradually practice thinking with a different mindset. If you already believe you’ll fail, you will never make it. If you have faith in yourself, even though it’s tough, you’ll navigate challenges better.
Ways to Create New Habits
Creating new habits can be challenging, but also exciting. Here are four tips to get started.
Set a Specific Goal
Make your goal as specific as possible. If it’s too broad, then it will feel overwhelming. For example, if you want to live a healthier lifestyle, don’t make your goal “go the gym more.” Instead say, “I would like to get to the gym three times per week.” This way, you have a goal that is attainable and will feel accomplished once you get it done.
Create a Plan
Once you have your new, specific goal, you need to plan your execution. Write down what you’ll do, when you’ll do it, and where you’ll get it done. If you make a specific plan that says you’ll go to the gym on your way home from work, it won’t be as easy to forget.
Make sure to prep in advance: Throw your gym clothes in your SuperBreak duffle before work so you’re ready to get your sweat on. You could even note this in your mental health journal, and jot down thoughts about your motivation on the go by keeping your pens and pencils in the Basic Accessory Pouch.
Be Flexible
What makes resolutions fail is our need to start strong—and our fear that the first sign of failure means we’re doomed. Eventually, when our new habits fizzle, we get down on ourselves and abandon that goal entirely.
However, habits ebb and flow. There are some weeks where you might only get to the gym once or twice, and that’s okay. Giving yourself some grace will help you jump back on those habits the following week.
Find Support
Share with your friends and loved ones that you are looking to start a new habit so they can cheer you on and hold you accountable.
Also, the best way to introduce a habit is to be around people with similar goals like you. Consider joining a running club or attending an art class if your goal is to cut out screen time.
Habit Examples
There is no rule about which habits you need to implement. If you’re struggling to find new goals, here are some suggestions.
If you have a problem with too much screen time, try reading for an hour before bed. This will reprogram your brain and help your addiction to your phone.
Do you want to find more holistic approaches to your health? Try researching crystals that you can carry in your Right Pack backpack.
Are you in shape but notice you feel sore after a long day of work? Stretch for 30 minutes when you wake up in the morning or right before you go to bed.
Is your room a mess? Spend about one hour each weekend decluttering your closet by donating things you don’t need anymore.
New habits will put you on track to a healthier and happier you—but make sure to give yourself a break if you slip up. Which habits are you working on this year?
