By Genevieve Conneely
‘Tis the season to feel guilty over incomplete goals! That’s right—it’s the time to ring in the new year, 2026, with unrealistic resolutions. The concept of New Years resolutions has always had good intentions. In theory, it sounds like a wonderful idea to better yourself as a way to celebrate the new final digit of the calendar year. However, in today’s society, the majority of New Year’s resolutions simply help cast an illusion of self-awareness. Even those who are motivated lose steam after a while. This is because most people’s goals are way too aggressive, causing the amount of effort they have to put in to overwhelm and burn them out quickly. Though the beginning of the month of January shouldn’t be the only reason you want to be a better version of yourself, it’s a good place to start. I decided to compile a list of attainable goals to improve your physical health, mental health, and overall well-being.
- Drink more water
Try to drink a few more ounces of water than you typically do in a day. Whether you consistently down 64 oz Hydro Flasks of water, or only take a few sips from your Owala, you can never drink too much water. Higher water intake keeps you hydrated, and is shown to clear your thinking and prevent mood swings.
- Put down your phone for 15 minutes and engage in a hobby
As much as we hate to hear it, we all truly spend too much time on our phones. Free yourself from your phone and doomscrolling for at least 15 minutes to engage in an activity that won’t actively wreck your dopamine production system. Read, journal, play an instrument, sketch, color, do whatever makes you happy that isn’t on your phone or any screens.
- Every day, write down 1 thing that made you happy
This is a wonderful and simple way to practice gratitude in your life and to let it improve your mood. The thing that made you happy could be getting a good grade on a test you studied for, or even the delicious pasta you had for dinner. I recommend keeping track in the notes app, or in a physical jar if you find that attainable for yourself. (Another cool thing to do: next New Year’s Eve, read through all the little things that made you happy throughout the year. It’s a really interesting way to reflect.)
So maybe give these a try! You can start January 1st, April 17th, or even right now. It’s never a bad time to focus on self-care. I wish you luck with these resolutions and any others you come up with, no matter how unrealistic they may be. Remember: every resolution can be realistic as long as you’re willing to put in the work to be a better you.
