10 Small Resolutions You Can Actually Keep + a $100 Giveaway

If you’ve failed with New Year resolutions in the past because they were unrealistic or overwhelming, here are 10 “small” things you can try in 2024 that will actually end up making a big difference.

#1 Don’t Get Seconds

No need to try a new, expensive or complicated diet. How about not going back for seconds at meals? In a competition with my husband a few years ago, I lost 15 pounds using this method. To ensure success, make sure you enjoy your one and only serving and eat slowly. Later on in the evening, if feeling unsatisfied, you can enjoy a (sugar-free) beverage..

#2 Do One Good Thing for Your Town

One easy way to get started is to simply attend city meetings. You can get your finger on the pulse, meet a few new people, and find out what needs to be done. I’m not talking about big projects, but little things like cleaning up at the park or volunteering at a town event. Here’s another idea: adopt a stray dog or cat and then have it fixed, thereby preventing the cycle of pet overpopulation in your community.

#3 Start a Weekly Family Activity

It’s not hard to set aside some time one day a week for family fun. This is something that everyone can look forward to, like a game night or a hike or dancing to music. Even the simplest things make children so happy. If I sit down for 15 minutes with my first grader and play tic-tac-toe, she’s thrilled! Incorporating this one new habit will bring your family closer and get everyone off screens.

#4 Spiritual Reading

Fill your mind and soul with the good, the true and the beautiful. You can start with the easily attainable goal of 10 minutes each day. The Bible, lives of the saints, Christian classics (Chesterton, Lewis, Belloc, etc.) and even religious poetry are great places to start. Sit in a quiet place and let your children know they shouldn’t disturb you. Later on in the year, you can work up to 15 or 20 minutes. You’ll find that if you do this consistently, your children will start to mimic you, so it’s a good idea to have some religious books for them to read and look at as well.

#5 Save Three a Day

Try to put aside $3 per day into a secure container. You can do this with pocket change and whatever random bills you get in change from that day’s purchases. Some days it might be a little less, or a little more, but aim for $3.00. If you don’t want to fool with cash, try an app like Chime which will do it automatically for you. At the end of 2024, you’ll have about $1095 to spend on Christmas or whatever you like!

#6 Learn a Language

I’ve been on the DuoLingo app for one year and counting. Most language apps take just 3-5 minutes each day and that’s very little investment for a great reward. I know it’s more fun to pick an “exotic” language like Russian or Chinese, but you’ll have a MUCH greater chance of success if you choose one that’s practical and which you can actually use in real life. For example, because I’m able to try out my Spanish skills at the local restaurant, and chat with my Mexican brother-in-law, I’m more likely to want to keep learning.

Besides DuoLingo, there’s also Rosetta Stone. If you don’t want to use a smart phone, the Rosetta Stone CD’s are often available for free at local libraries.

#7 Make Your Home Nicer

Choose one home improvement project each month and work on it together as family. It doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive, and should be weather-appropriate. Some ideas:

• Mulch around your trees and plants
• Power wash and scrub outside walls
• Give your front entrance/porch a quick makover
• Wipe and/or touch up your baseboards or window trim
• Install a new set of curtains or blinds

#8 Write a Note

Once a week, write a quick note or postcard and send to a friend, family member or shut-in. You can check the local newspaper for notices of “card showers” for upcoming birthdays in the community.  This act of kindness takes about five minutes and the price of one stamp but will make you and someone else feel much better.

#9 Learn a New Skill

Again, I’m not talking about anything different. You could watch a YouTube video about how trim boy’s hair, change the oil in your car, or bake yeast rolls. Have you ever tried to make jelly? It’s not hard at all and you can use store bought juice. It makes a great homemade gift!

Here’s a good question to ask yourself: What is something that you frequently have to pay others to do that wouldn’t be too hard for you to do yourself? THIS is a skill worth learning, and as a bonus it will save you money.

Americans use to be a lot more self-reliant and this was a real source of pride. You’ll never enjoy this wonderful feeling of accomplishment until you learn to do something on your own.

#10 A New Night Routine

Before you go to bed, don’t pull out your phone. Instead, enjoy a book, or a conversation with your spouse or just meditate and pray. This simple change in the last 15-20 minutes of your day will help you to relax your mind and sleep better.

And now a giveaway!

Use the entry form below to enter to win a $100 Amazon gift card or Paypal cash – your choice!

Giveaway is open to US & CAN. To enter head below! Giveaway is open to US &CAN and ends on 01/21/24 at 11:59pmEST. Good luck!

 

Disclosure: All opinions are 100% mine. This giveaway is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or any other social media network.All opinions and experiences are Conservamom‘s. Open to US or Can residents only , must be 18+. The confirmed Winner(s) will be contacted through email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be drawn. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. The sponsor will be responsible for product fulfillment to winner(s) of the giveaway. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. For questions or to see your product featured in an Event you can contact Elia mome@conservamome.com