35 Things To Do in January To Begin a New Lifestyle in 2024
New year notebook of things to start doing in January to begin a new lifestyle
New year, new you—right? That’s what I’ve always heard; while that can be the case, there’s a caveat.
Maybe you feel unhappy about your current relationship. Or you want to change jobs. You might be ready for something more consistent after constant changes over the past few years. Life changed for us all in 2020, and everything since then has felt a little discombobulated. Or maybe you’re just tired of doing the same old thing, being the same old you. It makes sense. The question is: do you really need to start fresh?
Although the answer is different for everyone, in most cases, starting anew is positive—when we plan it right and do it for the right reasons. We’re all guilty of buying into this idea that there’s something wrong with the way we did things in the year before, but that’s not true.
As we enter 2024, remember there’s nothing wrong with the “old you.” You don’t need to completely overhaul your personality and lifestyle to be happy. You can start making small changes to help align the parts of your life that you aren’t satisfied with to your goals. That’s how real change toward a new lifestyle is made.
Here’s a list of 35 realistic things to do this January to start your new lifestyle in 2024.
Related: People Who End Up Keeping Their Resolutions Do This One Thing, According to Psychologists
35 Things To Do in January To Begin a New Lifestyle in 2024
1. Write in a journal.
Self-reflection is one of the best things you can do to shift your mindset. Journaling helps you focus on writing in a way that works for you. Whether you’re working out of a guided journal with prompts or prefer a more stream-of-consciousness writing style, getting your thoughts out on paper allows you to clear your mind.
Related: 150 Journaling Prompts for Self-Discovery in the New Year
2. Create a new playlist.
Everyone connects to music differently, whether you play an instrument, sing, write songs or listen to music. Create a new playlist with your favorite music, but also find new artists with songs that align with your New Year’s goals.
3. Clear out your contacts.
Is your phone full of contacts for names you don’t recognize anymore? If you haven’t talked to them in years, you probably don’t need to keep their number on hand. Before January ends, go through your phone and clear out all the phone numbers you don’t need.
4. Go through your closet.
Continue decluttering by going through your closet and setting aside items you don’t wear often. Either sell the pieces that don’t serve your style for extra cash or donate them to someone in need. When you have the space, you can curate a closet with more personal, sustainable pieces.
5. Start your spring cleaning early.
Our environment is a direct representation of our minds. If your mind is cluttered, chances are, your house will be, too. Take 30 minutes every day to clean and organize your day to kickstart your spring cleaning.
6. Make mornings easier with a new routine.
Are you prone to staying in bed way too late? Optimize your mornings (and make it easier to get out of bed) by establishing a morning routine that fits your schedule and personality. Try starting your day with a quick self-care ritual, a 30-minute workout, or a few moments of quiet time.
Related: 'I Asked ChatGPT To Plan My Morning Routine, and the Results Were Life-Changing'
7. Improve your sleep hygiene.
Getting good quality sleep starts with improving your sleep hygiene. Create a bedtime ritual, find a comfortable pillow and blanket, and avoid using electronics while you’re going to sleep to increase your chances of getting a restful eight hours.
8. Buy a planner.
No start of the year is complete without a new planner. Pick a style that fits your schedule and set a planning time each week to make sure you’re getting everything done. Some planners come with hourly sections, making time-blocking easy—a system where you divide your days into blocks for each project you must complete.
9. Pick out your first book for the year.
Thanks to BookTok, millennials and GenZs are reading more now than ever. Do your research and pick out a book to start reading in January. If you’re up to a challenge, set a goal to read a certain amount of books per month (or year, if you’re looking ahead).
10. Clean out your fridge.
When was the last time you checked the back of your refrigerator? How about your freezer? Give your fridge a well-deserved cleaning to start the new year to make healthy eating a higher priority.
11. Reach out to old friends.
As you grow up, it gets harder to maintain close friendships with a large network of people. Increase your social circle by reaching out to old friends. And although reconnecting with your ex-BFF from high school may not be the best idea, reminiscing with old friends about all the memories from the good old days is the perfect way to start a new lifestyle in 2024.
12. Try a new coffee order.
Expand your coffee palette in 2024 by venturing beyond your usual order. Explore trendy concoctions from your local barista or the seasonal specials at Starbucks because, face it, life’s too short to drink basic coffee.
13. Make meal planning a part of your week.
Figuring out what you’re having for lunch and dinner every day is a chore, no matter how much you love to cook. That’s why meal planning is the secret to staying healthy in 2024. But don’t stick to the typical Tupperware meal of chicken and rice; plan easy-to-cook meals that save you time, energy and money.
14. Find the perfect cozy blanket.
I don’t care what anyone says. You can never have too many blankets. Take a "treat yourself" day and upgrade your blanket collection. Opt for textures and colors if you’re into an upbeat vibe or neutrals to create a more cozy atmosphere.
15. Schedule breaks.
Did you know that women under 30 are the most impacted by burnout? And, according to research from the Future Forum, half of surveyed adults between 18 and 29 reported feeling drained after work. Prevent burnout as much as possible this month by scheduling breaks at work and spending time doing self-care activities in your free time.
16. Be kind to yourself.
Negative self-talk brings us all down at some point. Prioritize being kind to yourself, embracing your imperfections, setting boundaries and reminding yourself that it’s okay not to have it all figured out. Changing your mindset is critical to changing your lifestyle in 2024.
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17. Organize your purse.
If your purse or work bag is giving more Mary Poppins than Mr. Clean, it’s time to organize it. Divide your essentials into smaller bags or use a more structured organizer to keep your purse in order, not a chaotic abyss.
18. Clean out your car.
Starting the new year with a clean car takes you one step closer to a new lifestyle in 2024. You can drive with better peace of mind without empty McDonald’s bags and random shoes cluttering up your backseat and trunk.
19. Declutter your desktop.
There’s nothing worse than opening your computer to a huge mess on your desktop screen. Decluttering your desktop boosts productivity and makes getting work done much more pleasing. Create folders to organize your files to make your screen a clean canvas in 2024.
20. Throw out your nasty pots and pans.
If your pots and pans are scratched, burnt, or damaged, it’s time to throw them out. This decluttering strategy isn’t just about clearing out the cabinets; it’s also a step toward living a healthier lifestyle. Nonstick peeling or chipped pans can cause the coating to end up in your food, causing damage to your body.
21. Evaluate your habits.
As you start to make lifestyle changes, one must-have on your to-do list is to evaluate your habits. First, identify the habits you want to break, like biting your nails or procrastination. After that, commit to weeding out these habits and replacing them with ones that enhance your life, not hinder it.
Related: Sleep Experts Agree This Is the #1 Worst Habit for Sleep
22. Rearrange your room.
Giving your bedroom a facelift at the start of the year sets the scene for a new lifestyle. Try decorating with the brighter and bolder colors that are trending in 2024, switching out your duvet cover for a quilt, or moving your furniture to a more accessible arrangement to help kickstart your new lifestyle.
23. Start a recipe box (or Pinterest board).
Love cooking? Create a box to keep all your family recipes in; this way, all your favorites are in one place. If pencil and paper aren’t your thing, curate a Pinterest board. Hint: this is also helpful for meal planning and prepping.
24. Unsubscribe from emails.
Maintaining an organized digital space in 2024 is just as important as ensuring your physical space is clean. Unsubscribe from emails you don’t read to keep your inbox streamlined and stress-free, making sure that only the important stuff makes the cut.
Related: How To Delete All of Your Unread Emails With Just a Couple of Clicks
25. Evaluate your finances.
Set yourself up for success in the new year by evaluating your finances. How did last year’s budget work? Was it feasible for your income? How much did you add to your savings? What about paying down debt? Take what did work from 2023 and apply it to this year’s financial plan to start the new year fiscally responsible.
Related: 'Financial Feminist' Tori Dunlap Shares the #1 Money Rule She's Following in 2024
26. Change your eating habits.
Have you considered going gluten-free or cutting out sugar but lacked the motivation or resources? January is the perfect time to revamp your eating habits by adjusting your diet to promote better eating—positively affecting your physical and mental health.
27. Listen to your body.
Start this year with an emphasis on self-care by listening to your body’s cues. Understanding and responding to signals like hunger, tiredness, or stress paves the way for an intentional year focused on well-being. Meditation and mild-moderate exercise are two ways you can start.
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28. Schedule your annual physical.
Another part of listening to your body is regularly checking on your health. While going to doctor’s appointments isn’t always easy when you have a busy schedule, seeing your primary care doctor and other specialists who are part of your healthcare team is necessary to stay healthy.
29. Find a therapist in your area.
Everyone can benefit from seeing a therapist, no matter what’s going on in your life. While it seems like a major commitment, it is manageable. Therapy can look different from person to person, from going once a week to once a month to “check in.” Starting in January helps set the tone for the rest of the year, helping you process trauma, learn coping skills or better stress management techniques.
Related: 5 Questions Your Therapist Wants You To Ask, According to a Licensed Therapist
30. Set professional and personal goals.
January is your chance to have a professional and personal glow-up. All it takes is a little strategic planning and a lot of effort throughout the year. Set SMART goals, which are:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Timely
31. Make a vision board.
Help your goals come to life by making a vision board for 2024. Whether you use magazine pictures and printouts or a Pinterest board, put your visions where you can see them and reflect on them regularly. Even better, get together with friends or coworkers to add a vision board collaboration to your January plans.
32. Say affirmations.
Do you struggle with self-esteem or self-confidence? Try saying positive affirmations. Make a habit of writing, saying or listening to these short statements every morning or night (or both) to help improve your mental health during the new year. Here are some of my favorites:
This year is going to be a wonderful year for me.
I am the creator of my own happiness.
I am ready to tackle the ups and downs in 2024.
My happiness comes from within me.
33. Send handwritten cards.
While it might seem old school, sending your friends and family a handwritten card is a thoughtful way to let someone know you care about them. It’s also a way to healthily express love to those around you with a tangible memento.
34. Learn how you learn.
Learning is a huge part of our everyday lives that often gets forgotten with new year lifestyle changes. How you learn impacts your work, school and home life, so identifying your learning style makes accomplishing your goals so much easier. Regardless of taking a quiz online or even getting an evaluation for ADHD, the information you get will help you improve your life.
35. Focus on making personal growth a priority.
Saying you want to have more personal growth in 2024 is one thing; doing it is another. The intention and effort you put behind your goals and actions during January set the tone for the rest of the year. Start 2024 off right by committing to prioritizing you!
