20 Ways to Make Your New Year's Resolution Actually Enjoyable
Learn how to transform your New Year's resolutions into fun, engaging, and rewarding experiences you'll look forward to.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
Resolutions don’t have to feel like a chore; they can be enjoyable if approached creatively. This article shares 20 tips for making your goals fun, from gamifying progress to incorporating rewards. By embracing these strategies, you’ll find joy in the journey and make your resolutions more sustainable.
1. Turn It Into a Game
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Gamify your goals with challenges, points, or friendly competitions. For example, reward yourself with a small prize for hitting milestones. Adding a playful element makes the process feel less like work and more like a fun adventure.
2. Pair It With Something You Love
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Combine your resolution with an activity you already enjoy. Do you love music? Create a playlist to energize your workouts. By pairing pleasure with progress, you’ll look forward to working on your goal.
3. Create a Vision Board
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Design a visual representation of what success looks like for you. Use pictures, quotes, and inspiring words to capture your dream. Looking at your board daily can spark excitement and motivation.
4. Involve Friends and Family
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Invite others to join you in making your resolution a social experience. Shared goals, like cooking healthy meals together or starting a book club, can deepen bonds and make the journey more fun.
5. Set Silly Rewards
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Motivate yourself with quirky rewards, like wearing a superhero cape after completing a workout. These lighthearted incentives add humor and enjoyment to the process. It’s about celebrating progress in creative ways.
6. Try Something New Weekly
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If your resolution involves fitness, experiment with activities like yoga, hiking, or dancing to add variety to your routine. Fresh experiences keep the excitement alive.
7. Make It a Personal Challenge
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Frame your resolution as an exciting experiment. Ask yourself, “What if I could do this?” The curiosity-driven mindset can make the journey more like an exploration than an obligation.
8. Decorate Your Workspace
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If your goal involves work or study, make your environment inviting. Add colorful items, motivational quotes, or fun stationery. A cheerful space can brighten your mood and improve focus.
9. Track Progress Creatively
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Use creative tools like sticker charts, colorful graphs, or doodles to monitor your achievements. This visual engagement makes tracking fun and satisfying. Celebrate filling in those milestones!
10. Find a Mentor or Role Model
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Look up to someone who inspires you and emulates your journey. Whether it’s a YouTuber, author, or friend, learning from their experience can add excitement and purpose. Inspiration can be contagious.
11. Make It a Family Tradition
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Turn your resolution into a shared ritual. For example, commit to family hikes every Sunday or a weekly cooking night. These traditions create bonding moments while achieving goals.
12. Create a Playlist for Motivation
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Curate a collection of songs that energize and uplift you. Use this playlist as your go-to soundtrack when working on your resolution. Music can transform any activity into an enjoyable experience.
13. Set “Fun Milestones”
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Include lighthearted checkpoints, like celebrating a week of progress with an ice cream night or a small splurge. These moments create positive associations with your goals.
14. Share Your Progress on Social Media
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Post updates about your journey with photos or stories. Engage with a supportive online community to celebrate milestones together. Sharing keeps you accountable and excited.
15. Turn It Into a Story
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Document your journey as if you’re writing a book or blog about it. Narrating your progress can help you see your efforts as part of an epic tale. Everyone loves being the hero of their own story!
16. Incorporate Humor
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Find ways to laugh at yourself and your challenges. Didn’t stick to your schedule? Joke about it and try again. Humor lightens the mood and keeps things from feeling too serious.
17. Add a Personal Twist
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Customize your resolution to reflect your unique interests or personality. For example, if you’re learning to cook, explore recipes from your favorite cuisine. Making it personal adds meaning and enjoyment.
18. Explore with a Buddy System
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Pair up with a friend who shares your goal or has one of their own. Check-in regularly and cheer each other on. A buddy adds camaraderie and accountability.
19. Set Up a Gratitude Journal
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Write down moments of joy or gratitude related to your progress. Reflecting on what makes you happy keeps you focused on the positives, and gratitude cultivates a sense of fulfillment.
20. Be Spontaneous
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Leave room for flexibility and occasional surprises. If you feel like switching things up, go for it! Spontaneity keeps things fresh and prevents boredom from creeping in.