5 Best Alternatives to New Year’s Resolutions to Try in 2026

Every December, we tell ourselves this coming year will be the year everything changes. 

We sit down, write long lists, set super ambitious New Year’s resolutions, and somehow convince ourselves that January 1st carries some kind of magic. Unfortunately, by mid-February, life settles back into its familiar rhythm, and those ambitious resolutions quietly drift away. Like they never existed.

Think about it for a moment. When was the last time you heard someone say, “ I lost 70 pounds last year thanks to my New Year’s resolution,” or “I am finally debt-free after I stuck to my New Year’s resolution”? 

Depending on which study you read, a whopping 88 to 92 percent of people don’t keep their New Year’s resolutions. Yet, year after year, millions if not billions of us continue to set our ambitious New Year’s resolutions.  Maybe we are gluttons for punishment because this dismal probability of success should have taught us otherwise by now.

So, if you’re tired of repeating the same cycle, you are at the right place. If you really want to make 2026 your best year yet, I’ll urge you to think beyond the traditional New Year’s resolutions.

Because, unfortunately, traditional resolutions often fail because they demand instant transformation, which is unrealistic and not really sustainable. 

Yes, 2026 can be completely different. But only if you choose a fresh approach. 

Instead of New Year’s resolutions, imagine alternatives that are built on curiosity, reflection, and small but meaningful shifts. This is exactly what these 5 alternatives to New Year’s resolutions give you: the freedom to grow without the pressure of instant transformation. 

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5 Best Alternatives to New Year’s Resolutions in 2026

1. Set Monthly Themes/Goals Instead of Year-Long Resolutions

A whole year is too long to stay committed to one rigid goal. Not to mention, 10+, a theme in many people’s New Year’s resolutions list. 

Monthly goals make growth adaptable. Instead of a broad non-specific goal such as “get healthy,” you can try small, monthly goals that are more specific, like:

• January: Focus on eating healthy, balanced meals and hydration.
• February: Move more, daily walks, and stretching 
• March: Start strength training, 3 times a week.

You can decide to create a 12-month calendar and outline each month’s goal ahead of time, or you can opt to just do January for now.

Remember, the only reason this will do better than the typical traditional resolutions is to pick a measurable and specific goal. For instance, instead of saying “I’ll get healthy,” go with something specific like “ I’ll go to the gym 3 times a week.”

Such short-term and realistic goals can help you stay motivated and keep going even when you don’t want to.

Not to mention, you get a chance to experiment, reassess, and evolve your priorities throughout the year. 

RELATED: 23 HEALTHY HABITS FOR WOMEN THAT WILL TRULY CHANGE YOUR LIFE.

2. Create a Personal Bucket List for 2026

A bucket list shifts your mindset from self-improvement to self-expansion.

A bucket list is about experiences, not restrictions. It allows you to focus on things that bring you joy, curiosity, growth, and adventure. 

Your list might include simple things like:

• Take a solo weekend trip
• Learn a new skill 
• Try a new recipe 
• Visit a new city
• Join a workshop or a wellness retreat 

If you pick small things, you can include 52 things on your list and check off each item weekly. If you’re hoping to do some big awesome things, you can pick 12 things and tackle one item each month.

I’d urge you to have a 2026 bucket list even if you’re still doing the New Year’s resolutions, because having things to look forward to can boost your mood. And when you feel better, you do better. 

So, you’ll find it easier to get healthy, save money, pay debt, or be kinder to others. 

RELATED: The Ultimate 2026 Bucket List For A Year of Fun, Growth & Adventure

3. Track Your Habits 

Most traditional New Year’s resolutions fall apart because they require massive, sweeping change. Tracking your habits allows you to break growth into small, repeatable steps.

Choose a few healthy habits to track, such as,

• Reading for 10 minutes a day
• Walking 5,000 steps 
• Journaling every night

Use a printable tracker, a digital planner such as Google Sheets trackers, or an app. 

Tracking small habits is one of the best alternatives to New Year’s resolutions because mastering small habits can really build momentum, confidence, and compound progress that lasts longer than any resolution.

4. Develop a Personal Mantra for the Year

A mantra can be a great compass that can ground you for the entire year, depending on your goals. 

It will keep you aware of what truly matters throughout the year. 

For instance, if one of your main goals for 2026 is to save money, you can create a simple mantra that says, “buy only what you need.” If you stick to this mantra without any strict rules or rigid guidelines, you’re bound to save money each time you shop because you remind yourself of this. 

You can choose simple mantras like:

• Choose ease
• Protect your peace
• Show up for yourself 

A mantra can feel more positive and empowering than a New Year’s resolution. After all, you either fail or succeed with a resolution, but a mantra becomes a way of life. It shifts your identity and intentions on a deeper level than a resolution.

Remember, to take it day by day. There are days you’ll tune out your mantra and throw caution to the wind, but just keep repeating it in your head; the message will eventually sink in, and your behavior will change over time. 

5. Try Weekly Experiments Instead of Long-Term Commitments 

New Year’s resolutions might feel suffocating.

Trying weekly experiments will make 2026 a year of curiosity. Simply establish weekly experiments that test out various habits or that challenge you to do new things.

For instance, one week you might decide to talk to three strangers every day. If you approach this with an open mind, you might discover your mood improves or that you make new friends. 

The weekly experiment can be just about anything, such as

• Week 1: No phone in the mornings
• Week 2: A brisk walk before work 
• Week 3: Cook at home at least 5 nights
• Week 4: Limit social media to 1 hour/day

Indeed, you can try just about anything for a week. And you just might discover something cool you want to keep as your regular habit. 

Weekly experiments are better alternatives to New Year’s resolutions because they remove the fear of failure. You can explore without judgment, and often, the “keepers” naturally turn into habits. 

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Final Thoughts 

These New Year’s resolutions alternatives are meant to remind you to live life to the fullest as you create a healthier and happier life. 

New Year’s resolutions aren’t the only way to achieve your goals in 2026. In fact, current statistics show most of us fail terribly with that approach. 

By focusing on monthly goals, mantras, habits, experiments, and meaningful experiences, you can build a year that actually grows with you instead of confining you. 

So give up the idea of yearly resolutions and decide you’re going to reach your goals and become your best self one step at a time. 

May 2026 become your most intentional and energizing year yet. 

Until the next one loves. Happy 2026.