Looking for things to do in January to kick off the New Year the right way? Here are 13 life-changing things to do in January that are guaranteed to make this your best year yet!
It is crazy to think just how fast the year went by and we are now officially in the New Year.
Not going to lie, I once use to dread this time of year because I would always wonder, what should I be doing in January?
If you’re anything like me, then you too would like to know what to do in January so that this upcoming year is one that is enjoyable and brings you a ton of success!
By turning January into your self improvement month, you will be able to adopt habits early on so that every month becomes a productive one.
So productive that at the end of each month, you will be able to look back and be very proud of all that you have accomplished!
This post is all about things to do in January that will set you up for a successful year.
Before getting to the good stuff, don’t forget to pin this post so you have an easier time coming back to it at a later time.
13 Beneficial Things To Do In January
1. Go Down Memory Lane
By far the best way to ensure this upcoming year will be one filled with an abundance of success, is to take some time to reflect on the previous year.
This is definitely something that should not be rushed and should be something that you put a lot of thought into. Even if it takes a couple of days to do so.
Make sure to be honest with yourself and list out all that you have accomplished, whether they be small or big wins.
If you are having a difficult time getting your thoughts together, don’t you worry, I totally got you!
Examples of small accomplishments:
- Making your bed every morning.
- Reaching out to a friend or family member to check on them.
- Complimenting someone and making their day.
- Completing a to-do list.
- Reading a book from start to finish.
Examples of big accomplishments:
- Graduating college.
- Starting your own business.
- Clearing out debt completely.
- Learning a new language or skill.
- Improving your mental health.
As you go down the list, it will become clear as to which yearly goals you will want to work towards this upcoming year.
2. Plan Your Dream Year
After listing out all of your accomplishments from the past year, you can then work on planning your dream year.
If you’re anything like me and are a visual person, then this is where putting a vision board will come in handy!
What is the purpose of a vision board? The purpose of a vision board is to be able to actually see all of your goals and aspirations through photos, making it easy to remind yourself of what you are working towards.
Start of with your January goals. From there, look for photos that align best with the rest of your monthly goals.
The best part? All of your yearly goal ideas will be in one spot so that as you look at it on the daily, it will allow you to visualize your dream year and reinforce your devotion to making your dream year a reality!
3. Create The Perfect Morning Routine
It’s no secret that your morning can either set you up to have an enjoyable day or do the absolute opposite. Trust me, I have had my fair share of days that were not so great and it is not fun at all.
Which is why it is important to curate the perfect morning routine that you can stick to on a daily basis.
Here are some morning routine ideas to get you started on thinking about what you would like to incorporate into yours:
- Eat a well balanced breakfast.
- Go on a morning walk.
- Make your bed.
- Meditate or exercise for a couple of minutes.
- Journal any thoughts you have going on.
- Go over positive affirmations.
- Enjoy your favorite cup of tea or coffee.
No matter what your morning routine list looks like, following it every day will instantly put you in a good mood and in the right mindset to take on the day with a positive attitude!
4. Practice Positive Thinking
Speaking of a positive attitude, this is the year to begin incorporating positive thinking. Because let’s be honest, negative thinking is so outdated.
By replacing negative thinking with positive thinking, you start to attract all the positive vibes you truly deserve.
Whether you are using a gratitude journal, reading affirmation cards filled with positivity and hope, surrounding yourself with positive people, or being more kind to yourself, your mindset will begin to shift.
One thing to remember is that completely changing your mindset doesn’t happen overnight. However, patience and consistency will become your new best friends!
Both of these will help you on your journey towards having a more positive outlook on life.
5. Prioritize Drinking More Water
Not going to lie, while drinking water may be easy for some, it is not always so easy for other people. Especially when your body is use to sugary drinks that are not healthy for you.
If you weren’t already aware, there are so many great benefits of drinking water.
Benefits such as flushing out unnecessary toxins from your body, keeping your joints well-lubricated, protecting your kidneys, improving the quality of your skin and so much more!
The list below contains some of the best ways to drink more water:
- Drink out of a cute Stanley tumbler.
- Carry a tumbler everywhere you go and always refill it.
- Use delicious fruits to infuse water with such as strawberries, oranges, mixed berries, lemons, or cucumbers.
- Set alarms to remind yourself to take drinks here and there.
- Completely swap out sugary drinks with an alternative like sparkling water.
The more water you drink, the more benefits you will see to both your physical and mental health. Trust me when I say your body will thank you later.
6. Review Your Finances
Getting the good ole finances together is something that most people forget to do at the beginning of the year.
Not having your money in order can lead to a lot of unnecessary financial stress that can affect your mental health.
Make sure to take the time to review your finances. Including any debt you want to work towards clearing out, money saving goals you’re trying to reach, as well as spending habits you want to either get rid of or improve.
The best way to go about handling your money is through simply creating a budget.
Having a budget that is easy to stick to allows you to pay your monthly bills on time, save money every month, and still have money to do the activities you enjoy and love.
This especially comes in handy if traveling is part of your goal ideas for the year.
7. Have A Weekly Self Care Activity
It is very important at least once a week to show yourself some TLC and treat yourself with some self care.
Got a drink from Starbucks you absolutely love? Then treat yourself to the largest size they have!
Enjoy relaxing spa days? Have an at home spa day where you get to enjoy a luxurious bath by lighting a nice smelling candle, playing soothing music, and pouring yourself a glass of wine!
Been wanting to attend a pilates class? Sign up for the pilates class and enjoy living like a pink pilates princess!
No matter what type of self care you enjoy, always make it a habit to have something to look forward to every week and spoil yourself.
8. Listen To Motivational Podcasts
With so many self help podcasts for women available, you are bound to come across one you just can’t get enough of!
Here is a list of self help podcasts that will leaving you feeling inspired and instantly become part of your favorite’s list:
- A Better You Podcast by Fernanda Ramirez
- Glow and Tell by Sophie DiLoreto
- The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins
So whether you’re waiting for your flight, cleaning your home, or going on your daily run, pop on some headphones, put on a podcast and allow your thoughts to be filled with positivity.
9. Make Walking A Daily Habit
Earlier I mentioned incorporating going on a morning walk to your morning routine. For a very good reason of course.
Going on a walk not only improves both your physical and mental well-being, it also allows you to experience the true beauty of nature.
From feeling the warm sun on your skin, to breathing in the fresh air, to hearing the beautiful chirping noises, being surround by nature will help clear your mind from any negative thoughts.
As you take each step, any stress or anxiety you’re currently having will start to slowly leave your body. So say hello to having a brighter day ahead of you!
10. Declutter Your Home
A home should always feel like a sanctuary that you enjoy coming to every day. One that is free of clutter, eliminating any unnecessary chaos.
Because if you didn’t know, having a messy home makes it difficult for you to focus on being productive. As well as disrupts your quality of sleep and causes an increase in stress and anxiety.
The best way to avoid all of this is to make it a mission to declutter your entire home, allowing you to have a fresh start.
Depending on how big your home is, decluttering can sometimes become overwhelming.
Start small and work on one room at a time. Slowly removing any items that no longer make sense to keep.
After decluttering your entire home, your mind will become completely relaxed. Allowing you to focus and be much more productive.
11. Fall In Love With Reading Books
Reading books is such a great way to gain knowledge, especially when it comes to self improvement.
With so many self improvement books for women out there, here are a couple that will help you on your journey to falling in love with reading:
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
- The Magic of Mindful Self-Awareness by Matt Tenney
- The Art of Letting Go by Nick Trenton
Though these books offer all kinds of different life-changing advice, they all have one thing in common. That is to make sure you are able to become the best version of your self!
Even if you’re only able to read one book a month, do so every month.
Trust me, your future self will thank you at the end of the year when you see just how much you have improved.
12. Take Part In Digital Detox Days
Doomscrolling has officially become a part of most people’s daily routine.
When done too often, doomscrolling takes valuable time away from you that you can instead use to be productive. And depending on the content your mind is consuming, you can find yourself comparing your life to those you see online.
Which typically leads you to believe that your life is boring compared to others.
To avoid falling down a rabbit hole, schedule a few digital detox days throughout the month. Days that are completely phone-free.
Not only do you give your mind a much needed break, but you also give yourself time to focus on improving your life.
13. Start Journaling Your Thoughts
When you have a lot going on in your mind, writing your thoughts in a journal is a great way to let it all out.
A very popular way, that truly works, is to use a gratitude journal daily to help build a positive mindset and feel happier.
Even if you decide to use a regular journal instead, make sure to fill it up with things like:
- Goals you want to accomplish.
- How you’re currently feeling.
- Your January bucket list.
- Habits you would like to improve.
- Negative things you’re letting go of.
As you continue to do this every month, you will see just how important journaling is when it comes to self-care.
This post was all about things to do in January that will set you up for an unforgettable year.
Now that you are aware of the many helpful things to do in January, make sure to get started now!
The sooner you start these habits, the faster they will become second nature.
Each month moving forward will then become one that brings you an abundance of joy and success.