We’re firm believers that New Year’s resolutions are easier to follow in California, and here’s why. Like frail umbrellas during a heavy rainstorm, resolutions are easily bent or broken. But, when conditions around you motivate you to hold on to your umbrella with full force, you might just make it through the storm dry! 

The Golden State, unlike many other places, has every condition you need to get healthier, grow more ambitious, quit bad habits, and improve friendships and personal relationships. Whether you’re making life-changing plans this year or keeping it lighthearted with funny New Year’s resolutions, California helps you stick by your decisions with its plethora of opportunities. 

Top Reasons Why California is the Best Place to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions

Physical Health Resolutions

You have no excuse not to live more healthily in California. Whether you want to improve your eating habits, work out more, or simply lead a healthier lifestyle, the amenities surrounding you make sticking by your New Year goals a relatively smoother ride. 

You have plenty of fresh produce to shop and cook, restaurants that cater to probably every sort of diet, and, of course, beautiful places to work out all around you. The mountains, valleys, beaches, forests, and great year-round climate allow you to practice whatever sport you’re passionate about. This is something that very few people around the world have access to—take advantage of it! 

Health-conscious plans that make good New Year’s resolutions:

1. Sign up for a new workout class.

2. Trek a new hiking trail at least once every month.

3. Download a fitness tracking app and actually check it.

4. Try a new outdoor sport (surfing, running, climbing, cycling) until you find one you love.

5. Substitute some of your meals with vegan alternatives.

6. Visit California’s farmers markets and buy organic produce whenever you can.

7. Cook more (and with healthier ingredients) and eat out less.

Mental Health Resolutions

Investing in yourself and your mental health is absolutely crucial. This coming year, be more open to listening to what your body and soul are telling you. Take time for yourself, find hobbies you actually enjoy doing, put off your bad habits, and give more importance to your well-being. Many people forget that you can’t stick to any of your other resolutions if your headspace is too clouded. So, make sure that you have a New Year’s resolution or two that’ll push you to put in conscious effort to be more at peace with yourself with each coming day.

New Year’s resolutions that’ll help you put yourself first:

1. Clean up and declutter your space.

2. Disconnect from your world on a digital detox.

3. Go on a solo adventure to somewhere you’ve always wanted to.

4. Practice mindfulness; whether that’s through meditation, painting, or even volunteering.

5. Spend more time in nature. Focus on places you tend to naturally find solace. This could be the beach, a forest, or even a quaint park in your neighborhood.

6. Get out of your comfort zone and actually fulfill a point or two on your travel bucket list.

7. Don’t forget to treat yourself from time to time. This could be through material gifts, a new experience, or something as simple as eating out—it just has to make you happy! 

Relationship Resolutions

Nowadays, most people lead lives that make them too busy or tired to tend to personal relationships. However, you shouldn’t accept leading a life devoid of meaningful connections—these relationships are what keep us going when days get tough. Whether it’s a better relationship with your family, friends, or a romantic partner, making a New Year’s resolution to take better care of them and make them last is important. Thankfully, you might have an easier time keeping these New Year’s resolutions if you’re in California.

Relationship resolutions to make in California:

1. Go on a family winter vacation, whether it’s just a mother-daughter road trip, a father-son bonding, a trip with siblings, or even exploring some of California’s must-sees with extended family.

2. Spend more time with your friends; a fun girls’ trip can help you grow closer than ever before.

3. Get out of your comfort zone in dating and plan unique dates—California has some of the best cities for singles.

4. Spend more one-on-one time with your beau; at-home date nights, exciting couple’s road trips, and romantic getaways are awesome ways to grow closer.

5. Celebrate milestones that are important for your loved ones. Being present for them, buying thoughtful gifts, and showing your support through the good times and the bad are key.

School and Work Resolutions

Striving for a better future for yourself and those around you is always admirable. No matter how big or small your steps are, working to become a better version of yourself is a great New Year goal to keep. Figuring out which university to attend, going back to school, finding a new job, advancing in your career, starting a business you're passionate about, making better financial decisions—these are all examples of New Year’s resolutions you could make and stick by in the next year. As a resident of California, you have many ways to improve your school, work, and ultimately financial situation.

Good school and work New Year’s resolutions:

1. Read more books. California has an abundance of amazing libraries and talented writers; your TBR list can benefit from both.

2. Gain one new skill that’ll help you study better, work better, or just stay more focused in general.

3. Improve your work-life balance. Set a deadline for yourself after which you mentally switch off your work mode.

4. Work on bettering your professional portfolios and networking skills. Build an online presence that accurately reflects your hardworking nature.

5. Surround yourself with like-minded young professionals.  If you have the right support system, you’ll never lose track of your goals and ambitions.

Sustainability Resolutions

If you’re not taking proper care of your surroundings, your environment will keep holding you back. In an age where everyone’s absolutely aware of the climate crisis and its effects, we have no excuse not to vow to do better for the planet and coming generations. California is already one step ahead of the game in sustainability in many ways, so all you have to do is keep an open mind and make good New Year’s resolutions you’ll be able to fulfill. It’s not too late to work towards a more sustainable and eco-conscious future, even if it’s just one small step at a time.

New Year’s resolutions that’ll help you be more sustainable:

1. Keep track of your shopping habits and buy sustainably when you can.

2. Support small minority-owned businesses and those who promote ethical and eco-conscious practices in their business model.

3. Introduce easy swaps to live more green in your everyday life.

4. Be mindful of food waste. Monitoring shopping habits, donating leftovers, and composting are great daily habits that reduce your carbon footprint.

5. Upgrade your house to be more environmentally friendly.

6. Look for volunteer opportunities to educate about the importance of sustainability and keep the space around you clean.

7. Aim to eliminate one-time-use, non-biodegradable items by replacing them with reusable alternatives to plastic.