I’m Rewriting My NYE Resolutions For a Feel-Good January

We know that New Year's Resolutions don't work; in fact, they have a single-digit success rate. So, in planning for 2026, I'm rethinking my resolutions and making them a little less…punishing? Joyless? Doomed to fail?

Instead of contending with the generic resolutions we've all been sold — like quitting drinking cold turkey and getting in 10,000 steps every day — I've rewritten looser, more sustainable alternatives.

Here are seven traditional New Year's Resolutions that I've given a creative rewrite — and for once, I'm actually excited to get started.

Cut Out Alcohol —> Make Really Great Nonalcoholic Cocktails

I'm currently sober curious, but I haven't earnestly experimented with many nonalcoholic alternatives. With Ritual Zero Proof spirits, Dry January doesn't have to be so, well, dry. I can still make the most out of socializing, connecting with friends and family over at-home cocktail rituals. In January, I'll be using the Ritual Agave Spirit Alternative to whip up zero-proof margaritas. Then I'll try my hand at a virgin Cosmo with the Ritual Non-Alcoholic Gin Alternative. Ritual makes it easy to toss the stiff rules and keep the connection, which feels completely aligned with how I want to move into 2026.

Get 10,000 Steps —> Try One New Form of Movement

The narrative around exercise this time of year tends to feel extreme — "you must get 10,000 steps every day." I prefer a little more flexibility. This year, I want to introduce one new form of movement into my routine. It might be signing up for a ballet class at the studio down the street, making time for intentional stretching in the morning, or walking at a brisker pace than I'm used to. I'll integrate movement that's a bit outside my comfort zone (mainly yoga and Pilates) and listen to how my body responds.

Read Every Night —> Take Stock of Soothing Activities

I recently heard someone say that listening to podcasts can feel like a brain massage, and it stuck with me. Yes, I love reading (and would like to read more books this year), but I want to expand this resolution to include any activity that feels like a mental reset. That could be doing more puzzles, listening to audio books, reading more smut, curating playlists, painting or journaling more often — it's all good for you. Don't feel pigeonholed.

Cut Down on Screentime —> Always Carry a Notebook and Pen

Let's face it, we're all overly reliant on our devices. This year, instead of downloading a new app or AI assistant, I'm reinvesting in analog admin and communication. For example, instead of relying on my phone's calendar, I'm buying a cute pocket day planner to schedule my meetings and engagements for the year. I'm trading FaceTime calls for handwritten letters and jotting down my grocery lists on paper (not typing them on my Notes app). While I'm at it, I might as well treat myself to a new pack of my favorite pens.

Travel More —> Look Ahead to Three Events on the Calendar

The general advice to travel more can sound tone deaf to anyone who doesn't have disposable income or a job that comes with unlimited paid time off. Instead of getting triggered by other people's vacation plans and posts online, I remind myself of three events or trips I have to look forward to sometime in the future. When I'm feeling the winter blues and want to skip town, I think about my upcoming girls' trip and the two weddings I'm attending over the summer. All of a sudden, I'm okay right where I am and don't need to impulsively book another trip.

Buy Less —> Practice Active Gratitude

The key to saving money is simple: buy less stuff. But in today's culture, that advice isn't always easy to follow. Something that comforts me is practicing active gratitude: taking time to actively appreciate the things that I already have, from a warm sweater to a trip on my calendar (albeit six months away). By doing so, I remind myself that I'm actually content and probably don't need to spend more money to feel fulfilled.

Be More Social —> Casually Invite Friends Over

I'm not a natural host, so the resolution to "be more social" can feel intimidating. But sometimes reinvigorating your social life is as easy as lowering the stakes and going first. So, this year, I'm going to make an effort to simply have people over more often. It can be spontaneous. I don't have to call it a party. Maybe it's a casual coffee hang on a Saturday morning or asking friends to stop by before heading out to dinner. But I suspect the small action of inviting people over will inspire them to do the same. And, of course, I'll provide the nonalcoholic cocktails.