Making the Most of the New Year: Jumpstarting Your Awesomeness

Ah, the New Year! That magical time when we all decide that this is the year we’ll finally lose weight, save money, and transform into the fully enlightened version of ourselves. Spoiler alert: by February, most of us are back to binge-watching shows, eating cheese straight from the block, and Googling “can you gain weight from thinking about donuts?”
But not this time! This year, we’re going to nail it. We’re going to hit the ground running (or, at the very least, briskly walking to the fridge). And I’m here to help you make the most of it—with a healthy dose of humor, of course.

Forget Resolutions—Make “Fun-olutions”
Let’s face it: the word “resolution” has a lot of pressure attached to it. It’s all about fixing things, which is just a fancy way of saying, “You’re not good enough as you are.” Rude, right?
Instead, let’s flip the script and make fun-olutions. These are goals that light you up, make you laugh, or bring you joy. Want to learn to salsa dance, but your rhythm is somewhere between “spilled spaghetti” and “falling down stairs”? Perfect! Want to try painting even though your last art project looked like Picasso sneezed on a canvas? Do it! The point isn’t to be perfect; it’s to have fun.

Set Goals You Can’t Screw Up
Here’s a genius idea: set goals that are impossible to fail. For example:

• Drink more water. Even if you just sip from a water bottle between gulps of coffee, you’re succeeding!
• Breathe every day. If you’re reading this, congratulations—you’re already crushing it!
• Be nicer to yourself. Every time you stop calling yourself names for forgetting where you left your phone (again), you win.

See? Instant success. You’re already thriving, and it’s not even February yet.

Throw Out the “New Year, New You” Nonsense
The self-help industry loves to tell us we need to become a “new you” every January. But honestly, do we really need a new you? The old you is pretty great, even if they occasionally wear mismatched socks and accidentally reply to emails with emojis that make no sense.
Instead of trying to become a whole new person, focus on being more you. The funnier, kinder, quirker version that shows up when you’re not stressed about impressing anyone. Trust me, that you is awesome.

Declutter Your Life—Or at Least Your Junk Drawer
Every New Year comes with the obligatory pressure to declutter. Suddenly, everyone’s on a Marie Kondo kick, holding up random objects and asking, “Does this spark joy?” (Spoiler: my toaster sparks, but not joy.)
Here’s the thing: you don’t have to toss everything you own to feel refreshed. Start small. Maybe just organize that one junk drawer in the kitchen that somehow contains batteries, a tape measure, a pair of scissors, three coupons from 2017, and a single chopstick. Even a tiny bit of decluttering can feel like a win.

Make Friends with Failure
Let’s get real: you’re going to mess up. You’ll skip the gym. You’ll eat dessert instead of kale. You might even spend an entire day in pajamas, binging an embarrassing reality show. Guess what? That’s fine. Failure is just proof you’re trying.
So when you fall off the wagon (or get run over by it), laugh it off and climb back on. You don’t need a perfect streak to make progress. A good life isn’t about never failing; it’s about getting back up, dusting off the Dorito crumbs, and trying again.

Start Small, Dream Big
We all love the idea of massive, dramatic change: “This year, I’m going to climb Everest, learn Mandarin, and become a professional ukulele player!” But let’s be honest—that’s a lot. And by January 3rd, you’ll be staring at your untouched ukulele thinking, “What was I smoking?”
Instead, start small. Take one step toward a big dream. Want to get in shape? Start by walking around the block or doing a single push-up. Want to write a novel? Start with one paragraph. The smaller the step, the easier it is to keep moving.

Celebrate Weird Holidays
​Sure, everyone celebrates New Year’s Day, but why stop there? January is full of ridiculous “holidays” that are just begging to be celebrated. For example:

• January 2nd: National Buffet Day (a great excuse to eat more than one dessert)
• January 9th: National Clean Your Desk Day (or, as I call it, “Stack Papers Neatly and Call It Organized Day”)
• January 21st: National Hugging Day (warning: always ask first!)

Find silly reasons to celebrate all year long. It’s way more fun than waiting for the big holidays.

Embrace the Power of “Good Enough”
Perfection is overrated. In fact, perfection is the enemy of progress. So instead of trying to get everything “just right,” aim for “good enough.”
Your workout doesn’t have to look like a fitness influencer’s Instagram reel. A walk around the block while listening to 80s rock is good enough. Dinner doesn’t have to be gourmet; if it’s edible and didn’t set off the smoke alarm, it’s good enough. Life isn’t a competition, folks—it’s a celebration of “good enough” moments.

Surround Yourself with Positivity (and Snacks
)The people you hang out with can make or break your year. So ditch the energy vampires and surround yourself with folks who make you laugh, encourage your dreams, and don’t judge you for eating frosting straight from the tub.
While you’re at it, stock up on snacks. Because let’s be real: snacks make everything better. Bad day? Cheese crackers. Big win? Chocolate chip cookies. Celebrating the fact that it’s Tuesday? Popcorn. Positivity and snacks: the ultimate combo.

Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously
At the end of the day, the best way to make the most of the New Year is to keep your sense of humor. Laugh at yourself when you trip over your own shoelaces. Giggle when your dog interrupts your yoga session by licking your face. Snort when you accidentally send a text to the wrong person.
Life’s too short to be serious all the time. If you can laugh at the little things, you’ll find joy in even the most mundane moments—and isn’t that what a great year is all about?

Create a “Ta-Da!” List
Instead of obsessing over a “to-do” list, create a “ta-da!” list. Write down all the awesome things you accomplish, no matter how small. Did you make your bed? Ta-da! Did you call a friend just to say hi? Ta-da! Did you resist the urge to comment on a stranger’s Facebook argument? Ta-da!
A “ta-da!” list is a reminder of how much you’re already doing right. And if it gets too long, you can always brag about it to your friends. (“Oh, this? Just my ta-da list. No big deal.”)

Remember, It’s Your Year—Own It 
​At the end of the day, the New Year isn’t about resolutions, goals, or becoming a different person. It’s about living your life the way that makes you happiest. Whether that means learning a new skill, eating more tacos, or finally mastering the art of folding fitted sheets (a true spiritual practice, if you ask me), the year is yours to create.
So go ahead—be messy, be weird, be yourself. Because if you’re having fun, laughing often, and enjoying the ride, you’re already making the most of the New Year. And that, my friend, is worth celebrating.
Happy New Year! 🎉