It’s that time of year – an opportunity to reflect on the previous year and decide what we want to do in the new one. But what are the most common resolutions, and do they apply to you? Should they?

If you are struggling to decide what to resolve to do in 2023, consider some of the nation’s most popular responses. 

1. Be Healthier

Sure, we’ve all heard the usual New Years goals… lost weight, exercise more, drink more water, etc. But instead of guilting yourself about what the scale reads each day, consider a different goal: Just get healthier. 

No matter your size or methods of getting in some exercise, there is always room for improvement. Consider discussing with your doctor which of your health statistics might need the biggest boost. Is your cholesterol on target? Are you up-to-date on your screenings appropriate and recommended for your age? What does your metabolic panel show?

There is always a way to get yourself healthier. You want to be around here for the long-haul and taking steps to improve your overall health is one of the best ways to ensure just that.

2. Improve Your Finances

Another popular choice (and no, it’s not just because of my wife’s profession) is to take a hard look at your budget. No matter what you make or your financial position right now, there is always room for improvement. Much like health, no one is perfect, so you can always tweak and clean up to improve your financial health.

From planning for a brighter future to working on your credit score, there is always a way to be sure you are making the best choices for your circumstances. There are almost always ways to save, too. Having a pro take a look at your budget can not only provide fresh eyes to the situation, but can help you to find the changes that can make the most impact, too.

3. Spending Quality Time with the Family

As a father of three, this one hits especially close to home for me. There never seem to be enough hours in a day. From school and work, to hockey practices, meetings, and events … the hustle and bustle in most family’s homes is non-stop.

In the new year, one great resolution to improve is to find a way to stick to a schedule that includes more frequent quality time with your family. This could look like game nights, movie dates, cooking together, crafting, playing sports as a family, and more there are countless ways to bring all ages together and get off screens for a bit!

4. Try Something New

There are plenty of ways to expand your horizons in the new year. Resolving to do something you’ve never done before can allow you to learn something new, meet new people, and generally widen your network. 

Consider things you’ve always “meant to get to” but haven’t made time for yet. Maybe you always wanted to learn to knit? Maybe you aspire to travel to a country you’ve never been to or learn to make a new recipe. From major vacations to minor lessons, you can really explore more of your world by trying something new in the new year.

5. Make Time For You

Many people, especially parents, seem to find it hard to take time for themselves. For our own sanity and well-being, it’s important to squeeze in some “me time” away from the demands of daily life. 

I think most people feel guilty spending time focused on themselves. It feels selfish. It seems you have to take away from others. But, the bottom line is, you cannot continue to give yourself to others if you never take the time to heal you.

I recently saw a meme that showed a smartphone with a low battery. It read “You wouldn’t let this happen to your phone, why do you let it happen to you?” Recharge those batteries! Find time for a relaxing workout, a good book, or time with friends you don’t see very often. 

No matter which of these resolutions you choose, we hope you enjoy a restful start to the new year!