Keep It Simple

[ysabetwordsmith]

In a lot of ways 2024 was a garbage fire and 2025 seems likely worse. Some people may feel too tired for complex goals. Others may prefer something simpler in general. In precarious times, there's a saying: "I need the New Year to come in, sit down, shut up, and not touch anything." If that resonates with you, here are some ideas.


No Resolution at All

There are plenty of arguments for this approach. It is a valid choice, so don't let anyone should on you about it. In a culture where pressure to form goals can get intense, refusing to make any can almost be a resolution unto itself. See also Alternatives in the section "Please Don't Make Me Do Stuff." You might also like the Just One Thing posts in awesomeers which let you share your accomplishments of the day.

5 Reasons Why New Year’s Resolutions Can Be Counterproductive

19 Reasons Why I Chose Not To Make A New Year's Resolution

A New Kind of New Year’s Resolution: Saying No

Why You Should Not Set a New Year’s Resolution & What to Do Instead

Why You Shouldn't Bother Making New Year's Resolutions


Theme of the Year

Instead of a resolution, some people like to set a theme for the year. This is a word or phrase that you use as a focus. It's not a preset target of activity, but rather, something you watch for that cues you to take an opportunity or just direct your attention.  If you feel like you'd get tired of a year-long theme, you could choose a seasonal or monthly set instead, or do a "virtue of the week" set.

100+ Positive Affirmations for Every Situation

A Huge List of Common Themes

List of Moods on moodthemeinayear

Virtues List


Choose a New Year's Theme Versus a Resolution

Don’t set goals, set a theme instead

How to choose a word of the year as an alternative to New Year’s resolutions for 2025

One Word Resolution: A New Way to Set Goals

WHAT'S YOUR WORD OR THEME OF THE YEAR (+ 167 IDEAS)


What can you do with a theme?

* Buy or make a version that you can hang on your wall to remind you. Include the year number with your word or phrase in a picturesque font or calligraphy. If you do this every year, then you can build up a gallery wall of them.  Etsy offers custom calligraphy and one word calligraphy.

* Watch for your theme and follow it when you see it. Say you choose "Dream" as your theme. Take a class on dream interpretation or manifesting your dreams. Read books about dreams. Watch movies or TV shows with "dream" in the title. Wear a T-shirt or button that says "dream" or shows someone dreaming.

* Use it for creative inspiration. Say you choose "Resistance" as your theme. Write Star Wars fanfic. Make activist artwork. Create jewelry using electrical resistors.


Make a Moodboard for the Year

Lots of people enjoy making moodboards. This is a collection of images and/or words that center around an idea or a feeling. They can be made in hardcopy format, like a collage or a bulletin board; or they can be made in digital format, such as a tile grid. A moodboard gives you a little more scope than a single theme, but its components still work together. Plus making one tends to feel fun and creative, rather than stressful like goal setting can be. Like a theme, you can hang it somewhere you'll see it for inspiration.

5 Mood Board Creator Sites to Make Collages for Pitches and Brainstorming

8 ideas for creating a New Year Mood Board

Best 15 Free & Professional Moodboard Apps in 2025

Bored of New Year Resolutions? Create a Vision Board

Define the New Year with a Mood Board

How to Capture Your Creative Goals in a Mood Board


There Can Be Only One

Some people like to simplify by setting only one resolution. It minimizes distractions. It may also focus on small daily changes such as "Meditate 5 minutes daily" or "Remove one item from the house every day."

How to Choose Your New Year’s Resolution

Setting New Year's Resolutions? Keep It Simple, Choose Only One Resolution
 

Comments

[matsushima]

I've done a word/theme of the year before. I'm thinking my theme for 2025 might be "consistency" but I've still got a few days to make up my mind!

Yes ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

That one seems promising.

You could think up a few more and compare them. If you're still not sure, draw one out of a hat on New Year's Eve.

Re: Yes ...

[matsushima]

I had considered "stability" but I like that "consistency" encompasses both that and forward motion. I'm sure I'll keep researching around; on New Year's Eve, I'll ask my bestie (who has beautiful handwriting) to write it on a blank postcard for me to keep whatever I choose where I see it. (I couldn't even remember if I chose a word for this year - I didn't, but the fact that I wasn't sure means I wasn't intentional about it!)

Re: Yes ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> I had considered "stability" but I like that "consistency" encompasses both that and forward motion.<<

Well reasoned.

>> I'm sure I'll keep researching around; on New Year's Eve, I'll ask my bestie (who has beautiful handwriting) to write it on a blank postcard for me to keep whatever I choose where I see it.<<

That should help. You're more likely to keep it in mind with a nice reminder.

>> (I couldn't even remember if I chose a word for this year - I didn't, but the fact that I wasn't sure means I wasn't intentional about it!) <<

The cool thing about New Year is that it offers a fresh start to try again.

[annofowlshire]

I usually go for a theme or a phrase. I usually have some actually goals as well, but I keep the theme as the north star when things inevitably go off the rails :D

Go you!

[ysabetwordsmith]

That sounds effective. I like the idea of a theme to help set goals, and also as a backup if the goals don't work out or other chaos ensues.