Need a New Year's resolution? Here are 50 ways to improve your life in 2024

December 26, 2023 / 3:54 am

Got an ambition that's been on the shelf for a while? This is the year to turn it into a reality.

Maybe you've been trying to pay off your credit cards but have been struggling to save money because of inflation. Maybe you're thinking about taking the next step in your relationship but want to make sure it's the right call. Or maybe you just want to scratch some of those smaller projects off your to-do list: declutter, start flossing and make more friends at work.

Whatever your goal is, Life Kit is here to support you. This year's New Year's Resolution Planner has a fresh new mix of ideas to help you move forward in 2024.

Each episode comes with clear, practical advice on how to achieve the objective, which is important when it comes to sticking to a resolution. "Goal pursuit requires focused attention," says Elliot Berkman, a psychologist at the University of Oregon. "Our minds need to be focused on one thing," he says.

Ready to take action? Got your target set? Let's go!

This year, I want to ...

Career

Ask for a raise

Start a side hustle

Quit my job

Shake my impostor syndrome

Fitness

Get stronger

Start exercising

Become a runner

Be more flexible

Get healthier (without going to the gym)

Get organized

Keep my New Year's resolutions

Write to-do lists that work

Start a new healthy habit

Change my life

Improve my focus

Health

Drink less alcohol

Be a morning person

Drink enough water

Try to live to 100

Sleep better

Eat more mindfully

Take care of my teeth

Hobbies

Mend my own clothes

Get into birding

Learn a heritage language

Start a creative habit

Find good books to read

Home

Clean out my clutter

Prep for emergencies

Save time on laundry

Make my home more climate friendly

Mental health

Embrace my perfectionism

Explore my gender identity

Have more fun

Get better at saying 'no'

Deal with burnout

Get into meditation

Family

Decide whether I want kids

Freeze my eggs

Spend more quality time with my kids

Be a better auntie or uncle

Start new traditions

Finances

Make a budget

Get out of debt

Find a better bank

Stop stress spending

Have fun on a budget

Relationships

Create a 'relationship contract'

Be OK with being single

Get married

Create friends at work

The episodes were created by Life Kit. Design, development and illustrations by Connie Hanzhang Jin. Production, editing and art direction by Malaka Gharib, Clare Marie Schneider and Beck Harlan. Special thanks to Life Kit supervising editor Meghan Keane, growth editor Arielle Retting, podcast project manager Lyndsey McKenna and engagement editor Amanda Orr.

We'd love to hear from you. Leave us a voicemail at 202-216-9823, or email us at LifeKit@npr.org.

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