20 Totally Doable Resolutions for 2020

I’ve spent years making these huge, unrealistic resolutions that I would give up on just a few weeks into the New Year. About five years ago, however, I decided to get realistic. My goals are small but have made a big impact, and I’ve integrated many into my daily life. Check out my list for some ideas.

  1. Start a basic nightly skincare routine: wash your face, dab on a little eye cream, and press in some serum. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. Neutrogena or Oil of Olay products from Target will get the job done.
  2. Return your grocery basket to the designated basket return. I started doing this 4 years ago, and I’ve stuck with it ever since.
  3. Start a journal. I was daunted by the time commitment, so I got my feet wet with this listing one that has a guided weekly prompt.

    There is an entire section of guided journals at Barnes and Noble. I find that these listing ones keep me focused and are less time-consuming.
  4. Make out with your boo every day. That’s right. Daily, full-on kissing. Do this. Just trust me.
  5. When paying in cash, make an intentional effort not to use exact change. Break your bills, and keep all the change in a large container. At the end of the year, see how much you’ve saved. We recently cashed ours out to put toward a vacation.
  6. Sincerely thank someone each day. Maybe this means looking your barista in the eyes and smiling as she hands you your latte. Maybe it means thanking your kids for being awesome. A lot of workplaces have little ways of recognizing helpful co-workers. Regardless of who you are or what you do, chances are you have someone to appreciate every day.
  7. Cook a new recipe, or venture beyond your usual order at your favorite restaurant once a month. There are lots of fabulous options in the Crescent City!
  8. Want to get back into reading but worried you won’t have the time? Resolve to read a chapter per week. Maybe that means it will take you nine months to read Harry Potter (true story for me, but I stuck with it and eventually read them all).
  9. Cut back on the screen time. Set app limits on your phone. Make a hard rule about screen time in the car, and stick to it. Stop taking so many photos and videos, and just be present at the moment. Check out of social media once a week.
  10. All those earrings you have? Wear every pair this year. I don’t wear much jewelry, but I am an earring hoarder. This is a fun little challenge for me.
  11. Branch out from your usual fashion when shopping. Maybe this means a brighter lipstick than your reliable neutral. Like that necklace but worried it’s a little flashier than what you typically go for? Wear it anyway.
  12. Make the bed every day. It only takes a minute and makes a room look tidy even when it’s not.

    Even my boys like how much neater their space is when they make their beds.
  13. It can be hard for busy mommas to make self-care a priority, but it needs to happen. Promise to schedule your dental exams, annual check-ups, and other appointments within a month of when they are supposed to be scheduled. This means no more putting off your pap smear or stretching your last pair of contact lenses. I’m so bad about this and want to make a change this year.
  14. Try a new type of workout or sport. I’ve fallen in love with racquetball and Zumba.
  15. Spend more time playing with your hair. Change your part. Learn a cool braid. Or if you’re like me, actually learn how to use your curling wand. And while you’re at it, get regular haircuts.
  16. Regular date nights with your love are a must, but don’t forget about the kids! Go on a date with each child twice this year. This is important for me. I do plenty of fun things with my boys, but I forget to make a point to take them out individually.
  17. Learn something new: how to use all the cool photo features of your new iPhone, how to make your favorite cocktail, or even how to select the best produce or cuts of meat. I’m working on hand lettering.
  18. Make it a year of “Yes.” Friends want to go out for drinks after work but you’re exhausted? Say yes anyway; once you’re there, you’ll be laughing and won’t regret it. Kids want to make slime but you’re cringing at the thought? Say yes knowing that the cleanup won’t be that bad.
  19. Or, make it a year of “No.” Feeling overwhelmed and stressed? Get rid of your obligations. Don’t volunteer for every school event. Don’t help your dad shop for your mom’s birthday present.
  20. Catch up by sending a text or handwritten note once a month to a friend you haven’t talked to lately.

What’s your 2020 resolution? Are you going big or focusing on a few small goals?

Alyson Haggerty
Alyson lives in Metairie with her husband, Patrick, their two boys, and their Morkie, Beignet. After teaching for almost ten years, she left a career in education, earned her BSN, and now works as a pediatric emergency nurse. In her free time, Alyson enjoys flipping furniture, writing, dancing, and painting. She is always looking for a racquetball partner and loves streetcar rides and playing board games with her family. A good cook, she is constantly on a quest to answer the age-old question, “What’s for dinner?” but has thus far been unsuccessful.

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