Lose weight. Cut out alcohol. Get a raise (and finally save some money). We make the same trite “new year, new you” resolutions every year, only to either abandon them by February or forget we even made them. Honestly, do New Year’s resolutions ever work? I suspect that we take stock of our lives and decide what we think we should want: losing weight to feel more confident, forgoing alcohol to be healthier in the long run, or getting a raise to afford more stuff—as if that’ll make all of our problems disappear. But are these resolutions really make us feel good, or are they just distractions disguised as self-improvement?
In 2026, it’s time to ditch the guilt and stress-inducing resolutions that leave you feeling let down year after year. Instead, go for intentions that will make you feel so good that sticking to them won’t feel like a chore. These 70 mini New Year’s resolutions are all within reach and designed to set you up for a year that feels like a major win (restrictive diets or forced workouts need not apply). Choose one for the year, pick one from each category, or rotate one new resolution each month—consider this your clean slate.
If You Want to Eat Healthier…
- Check in with your body pre and post-meal to see how it feels
- Drink a full glass of water before every meal
- Focus on adding more nutrients (instead of eating fewer calories/carbohydrates, etc.)
- Graze on more water-rich produce (like watermelon, romaine, tomatoes, cucumber, etc.)
- Try a new vegetable you’ve never cooked with before every month
- Introduce the rainbow by aiming for at least three different colors of produce per meal
- Start meal prepping 2-3 meals a week to avoid last-minute takeout
- Eat seasonally
- Replace your favorite meals with plant-focused alternatives (cauliflower pizza crust, chickpea pasta, etc.)
- Mindfully eat—put your phone away and focus on flavors, textures, and fullness cues
- Keep healthier swaps for your favorite snacks visible and easy to grab
If You Want a Better Fitness Routine…
- Schedule workouts in your calendar, and treat them like any other important meeting
- Use the “two-songs rule”: commit to working out for just the length of two songs, then decide if you want to keep going
- Exercise in ways that feel exciting and fun to you
- Get specific about your workout goals
- Add an outdoor activity to your routine (30-minute walks count!)
- Be active in ways that don’t feel like exercise (e.g., play sports with friends, go ice skating, swim, etc.)
- Prioritize rest and recovery just as much as you prioritize workouts
- Work out without your phone
- Try a new workout once a month
- Be more active outside of the gym (e.g., take the stairs, walk whenever you can, dance while getting ready)
- Stretch every morning and/or every night
- Plan a “movement date” with a friend—it’ll double as social connection
If You Need to Stress Less…
- Prioritize the hobbies, habits, and people who make you happy
- Reexamine all of your relationships: let go of the ones that don’t make you feel good, and invest more time into the ones that do
- Practice gratitude each morning or night by writing three things down (they can be the smallest things)
- Get sunlight first thing in the morning
- Start a daily meditation practice (think: walking meditation, guided meditation, visualization, saying affirmations)
- Reset your nervous system by doing a few rounds of taking two sharp inhales through the nose, then exhaling slowly through the mouth
- Have a go-to morning and nighttime routine that makes you feel relaxed and happy
- Try a weekly social media detox
- Talk to yourself like you talk to loved ones
- Say “no” when you mean no
- Give yourself permission to do nothing for a few minutes or something fun “just because” every day
- Keep a “worry list”: jot down your worries, then set them aside mentally
- Limit news and social media if and when it triggers anxiety
If You Want to Look As Good on the Outside As You Feel on the Inside…
- Try contrast therapy
- Mind your oral hygiene—it plays a massive role in your overall health
- Commit to a daily posture check—posture affects everything from digestion to brain function
- Create a simple skincare routine that you can consistently do every single day
- Focus on scalp-care
- Try a makeup-free day each week to let your skin breathe and embrace your natural you
- Find your perfect foundation or concealer shade
- Go for a new nail color you’ve never worn before
- Make your quarterly haircut appointments in advance to feel polished
- Develop a nighttime hair routine
- Wear sunscreen every single day
- Make a skin-check appointment with your dermatologist
- Keep a feel-good playlist that boosts confidence and energy before starting your day
If You Want to Tap Into “Rich Girl Energy…”
- Max out your retirement contribution or start contributing to a retirement fund
- Track your spending for one month (and check your credit card statements, checking account, and any other accounts or cards regularly)
- Create a morning routine that makes you feel powerful—coffee, journal, and Beyonce-empowering playlist included
- Increase your credit score
- Pay off one thing that requires monthly payments
- Create an emergency fund and build it to a percentage of your salary
- Set a small savings goal each week or month, even if it’s $10-20
- Talk with your boss about action plans to maximize your compensation (e.g., work toward a raise, check out commuter perks, look at non-health benefits, etc.)
- Work on your financial wellness
- Budget to make room for items, experiences, or indulgences that truly bring you joy
- Learn one financial skill, whether budgeting, investing, or side hustle 101
- Treat yourself intentionally, like a spa day, nice meal, or something that feels luxe sans guilt
If You Want to Turn Your Space Into Your Dream Home…
- Make your bed every morning—it instantly boosts your room’s energy
- Create a daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal cleaning routine
- Tackle one home project a month
- Do a quick declutter of closets, drawers, laundry chairs, and piles of paper once a week
- Make seasonal updates so your home always feels fresh
- Upgrade something practical—a lamp, rug, or pillows
- Reorganize one area every month, like your makeup stash, pantry, fridge, or hall closet
- Set up your kitchen or pantry so healthy eating feels effortless
- Bring more of your personality into your home
- Perform a “closing shift” and “opening shift”
- Make upgrades to your bath or shower for a more peaceful environment
- Light candles or diffuse essential oils to make your space feel calm and inviting
- Create a cozy corner for reading, journaling, or meditation
- Bring in more greenery—plants improve mood and air quality
Josie Santi, Senior Wellness Editor & Podcast Host
Josie has been an editor and writer for The Everygirl since 2017 and became a certified Holistic Health Coach in 2020. As the Senior Wellness Editor, she oversees, writes, and edits wellness content, as well as reports on wellness trends and interviews the industry’s leading experts. Listen to Josie on The Everygirl Podcast.
Feature graphic images credited to: Tay Armstrong | Dupe, Sol Cid | Dupe, Justine Balzano | Dupe, Joss Truong | Dupe, Emilie Faraut | Dupe, Cora Pursley | Dupe
