This was going to be a post about my new year’s resolutions, but instead I’ve turned it into 12 New Years resolution ideas/ 30 day challenges you can do, even if you’re socially distancing.
It was the last full moon of 2020 the other day which was supposedly all about letting go of the things that no longer serve you. Tonight I’m having a fire in the garden so I thought I’d take the opportunity to write down the things I’d rather leave behind and burn them on the fire.
Similarly, before you start your new year’s resolutions or take up a new 30 day challenge, you could write out everything you’d like to leave behind and throw it away or burn it.
Anyway, without further ado, here’s my list of 12 New Year’s Resolution/ 30 day challenge ideas for 2021 in no particular order.
Take 15 minutes out to do a walking meditation
If you don’t want to commit to a seated meditation, try a daily walking one — ideally out in nature or the garden. The idea is to slow down, notice more, and appreciate what’s right in front of you. Far too often we’re just in a rush to get from A to B.
Drink 4-5 pints of hot water every day
This is one I started today. I don’t know if there’s a difference between drinking hot or cold water, but hot water definitely feels nicer to drink in the winter. I’m motivated by the benefits it has on your skin!
Teach yourself to lucid dream in 30 days
If you’ve never tried lucid dreaming before, I highly recommend this one. The idea that you can actually wake up and experience the dream world as being hyper real is mind blowing to me. A good place to start is with the Wake up and Back to Bed technique.
You can read about my experience of lucid dreaming here
Send people thank you cards
After my son’s 2nd birthday recently, I wrote out a series of personalised thank you cards. The cards were actually left over from his first birthday and I just hadn’t got round to writing them, but it felt really good. So, the idea here is to simply send people cards at random thanking them for something or telling them why you appreciate them.
Start practising the Wim Hof Method
It’s been almost six years since I started practising the Wim Hof Method (New updated article and ice bath video to come!). I couldn’t think of a better time to start this one as exposure to the cold is part of the method and right now in the UK it’s freezing!
If you’re unfamiliar with the Wim Hof Method, it combines physical exercise including yoga poses, breathing exercises, exposure to the cold through cold showers and ice baths, sand meditation. Mentally and physically, it’s helped me a lot.
You can read one of my first articles on the Wim Hof Method here
Take up a conscious movement practice
I was going to write yoga here, but the idea here is to pick any movement practice… jogging, tai chi, a new workout routine… and be mindful as you practice. Treat it as a moving meditation, stay connected to your breath and let go of the outcome. This is essentially what makes the physical part of a yoga practice so enjoyable — there’s no competition, no pushing yourself, or worrying about how you look.
Pick a new language to learn
I’m still yet to finish Michel Thomas Spanish, but I’ve included this one as an idea because there are so many resources available online to get started for next to no money.
Start a blog, podcast or YouTube channel
If you’ve got something you want to share, pick a broadcasting platform… blogging if you’re a writer, podcasting if you like talking, or youTube if you’re into video. Even if you’re not an expert in something, instead, you could document your journey trying out something or sharing what you discover along the way.
Learn a new instrument
I did a 30 day challenge once to learn a few songs on the wooden flute which I bought because I love the sound. Similarly, you could pick a new instrument or one you have already, and take up some lessons with an online instructor or as I did, turn to Youtube.
Experiment with new things to cook
This doesn’t have to be new dinner recipes. Try out new breakfast recipes, learn how to make some freezable snacks, or discover some new hot drink recipes. You could also try out batch cooking loads of meals for the week ahead or just getting into the habit of cooking double and then freezing the rest.
Do an online course
I seem to be constantly consuming (and making) online courses so I’m a big fan of this one, especially now many of us can’t actually attend classes and workshops in person.
Check out Udemy and Coursera for courses on pretty much every subject imaginable — many which are free or for very little.
Discover Udemy’s featured courses! (Udemy Affiliate link)
Reduce Clutter with Marie Kondo
Marie Kondo’s book, The Magic Art of Tidying (Amazon affiliate link) is genuinely life changing, and now many of us are forced to spend longer hours at home, the new year is the perfect opportunity to declutter. The idea is really simple — everything you own must have a home and bring you joy in some way. It makes you more appreciative of what you have and stops you hoarding things you just don’t need.
And that concludes my list for New Year’s resolutions/ 30 day challenge ideas for 2021.
Happy New Year x
Photo by Ganapathy Kumar
