The first week of a new year holds a special kind of magic. It’s a collective deep breath, a cosmic reset button, a blank 365-page book waiting to be written. The air is buzzing with the thrilling, electric potential of a fresh start.
But how do you harness that energy? It’s easy to get swept up in the pressure of making huge, dramatic resolutions, only to have that motivation fizzle out by the third week of January.
What if, instead, you kicked off the year with a series of simple, powerful, and intentional actions? This isn’t a list of resolutions; it’s a “kickstarter kit” for your best year yet. It’s a guide to setting a tone of clarity, joy, and purpose from day one.
Ready to write an amazing first chapter? Here are 15 things to do at the start of the new year.
For a Clear Mind & Vision
1. Write a Letter from Your Future Self. Imagine it’s the end of the year and you’ve had the best year of your life. Write a letter from that future self to your present self, describing all the amazing things that happened.
2. Choose Your “Word of the Year.” Ditch the long list of resolutions and pick one single, powerful word—like “Courage,” “Growth,” or “Peace”—to be your theme and compass for the next 12 months.
3. Create a New Vision Board. Make a physical or digital collage of images, quotes, and words that represent how you want your year to feel. It’s a powerful visual reminder of your “why.”
4. Perform a “Digital Declutter.” Start the year with a clean digital slate. Unsubscribe from junk emails, delete unused apps, and ruthlessly curate your social media feeds for positivity.
5. Set ONE “Keystone” Goal. Instead of a dozen scattered goals, choose the one big, exciting goal that, if you achieved it, would have the biggest positive ripple effect on your entire life.
For a Fresh Space & System
6. Do a “Clean Slate” Tidy of Your Workspace. A clear desk is a clear mind. Take one hour to completely clear, wipe down, and reorganize your primary workspace for a focused start to your work year.
7. The “One Bag Out” Closet Purge. Start the year lighter. Go through your closet and fill one full bag with clothes to donate, releasing the old to make space for the new you.
8. Set Up Your New Planner. The satisfying ritual of opening a crisp, new planner and populating it with all the known birthdays, anniversaries, and important dates for the year ahead.
9. Create a “Fresh Start” Budget. Set your financial intentions for the year. Create a simple, forward-looking budget for January and set up your automated savings transfers.
10. The “Pantry & Fridge” Reset. Clear out the holiday leftovers and unhealthy snacks. Restock with nourishing, whole foods to give your body a healthy and vibrant start to the year.
For a Healthy Body & Soul
11. Schedule Your Health Appointments for the Year. Be proactive. Take 30 minutes to book your dentist, doctor, and any other important check-ups now, before the year gets away from you.
12. Create a “New Year Anthem” Playlist. Curate a soundtrack for the year ahead, filled with songs that make you feel powerful, optimistic, and ready to take on the world.
13. Do a “First Day” Movement Ritual. Start the year by moving your body with intention. This could be a long, refreshing walk, a gentle yoga class, or a fun, high-energy workout.
14. Plan Your First “Adventure.” It doesn’t have to be a big trip. Just put one fun outing—a hike, a museum visit, a weekend day trip—on the calendar for January to give yourself something to look forward to.
15. Write One Heartfelt “Thank You” Note. Start the year with an act of gratitude. Write a real, physical note to one person who made your last year better, and put it in the mail.
A great year doesn’t just happen by accident; it’s the result of a great, intentional start. You don’t have to do everything on this list. Just pick a few that give you that spark of “new year” excitement.
You are the author of the next 365 pages. Go write a masterpiece.