How to Prepare for the New Year: 7 Ways to Plan for 2024
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December is the perfect time to reflect, plan and take action on goals for the new year. If you’re ready to bid adieu to 2023, I've got your back with the best things to do before the new year arrives. Let’s not stress about last year's unfinished tasks or unkept resolutions. We're all about getting things on track, and ready to level up in January. Here is your ultimate guide on how to prepare for the new year and set new year resolutions for 2024.
7 Ways to Prepare for the New Year
1. Reflect on the Year
The first step to prepare for the new year is to reflect on the past year. If you find yourself making the same New Year resolutions each year, but never quite achieving them, this phase of New Year prep is essential.
Start by acknowledging and celebrating your accomplishments, big or small. Whether it's personal milestones, academic achievements, career advancements, or personal growth, congratulate yourself on how far you've come. It’s equally as important to recognize any setbacks. Consider the challenges you faced and the valuable insights they brought. Every experience, whether positive or less positive, contributes to your growth.
I like to take out a new notebook and my list of goals that I set last year. Then I write down what I achieved this year by looking through old photos, social media, etc. to jog my memory. Next, I jot down what I didn’t get around to achieving yet. Remember to consider the positive things, to start your year with gratitude, and the less positive things, to help you plan your goals for 2023.
Along with assessing your personal goals, evaluate your relationships. Reflect on the connections that have enriched your life and those that might need nurturing or boundaries. Consider the people who support and uplift you, and reciprocate that positivity.
Above all, be kind to yourself. Reflecting on the year involves acknowledging both accomplishments and areas for growth, so choose self-compassion as you navigate through reflections and set intentions for the future.
Read More: How to Elevate Everyday Life
2. Tackle Last-Minute Tasks
The holiday season is a busy time for many of us, but managing those last-minute tasks before the new year will help you enter 2024 with more peace of mind. Begin by prioritizing all important tasks and categorize them by urgency. Some tasks you might plan for the new year, while others should be tackled immediately. Here are some common tasks that often get delayed until the end of the year:
Tax prepartion. Gathering documents and organizing tax-related paperwork.
Financial review. Assessing investment portfolios, budgeting, or making end-of-year financial decisions.
Renewals and subscriptions. Renewing memberships, subscriptions, or licenses.
Documentation updates. Reviewing and updating important documents like insurance policies or wills.
Home maintenance. Completing pending repairs or maintenance tasks around the house.
Project completion. Finishing pending work projects or wrapping up loose ends at work.
Performance reviews. Conducting year-end performance reviews or evaluations.
Medical appointments. Scheduling and attending medical appointments or health check-ups.
Travel plans. Making last-minute travel arrangements or bookings for the holiday season.
By breaking tasks down and approaching them methodically, you can take care of those last-minute responsibilities efficiently and step into the new year feeling more organized and prepared.
3. Plan Your Goals
Planning your New Year's resolutions can set the tone for a fulfilling and purposeful year ahead. Using the same notebook from the first step, begin to brainstorm goal ideas. Browse online for inspiration or just refer to the goals that you didn’t quite complete last year. Consider all types of goals including financial, career, relationship, health, spiritual and personal. Here are some new years resolution ideas to upgrade your life in 2024:
Practice daily mindfulness. Commit to regular meditation or mindfulness exercises for mental clarity.
Read more. Set a goal to read a certain number of books or explore new genres in 2024.
Learn a new skill. Sign up for a course or workshop to learn a new skill or hobby you've been interested in.
Journal regularly. Start journaling to reflect on thoughts, experiences, and personal growth.
Develop a morning routine. Establish a productive morning routine for a positive start to the day.
Exercise. Set fitness goals, whether it's trying a new workout routine or exercising a certain number of times per week.
Follow the 80/20 rule. Adopt a balanced diet with more fruits, vegetables, and whole foods.
Improve sleep hygiene. Establish a consistent sleep schedule and focus on quality sleep.
Stay hydrated. Aim to drink a designated amount of water daily for improved hydration.
Network more. Expand your professional network by attending industry events or joining professional groups.
Grow your personal brand. Work on personal branding through social media or professional platforms.
Become more financially literate. Learn more about personal finance, investing, and money management.
Nurture your relationships. Prioritize quality time with family and friends.
Make new friends. Step out of your comfort zone to expand your social circle and meet new people.
Volunteer. Dedicate time to volunteering or giving back to the community.
Travel more. Plan trips to new destinations or explore different cultures throughout the year.
Go on solo dates. Challenge yourself with solo experiences for personal growth.
Immerse yourself in culture. Engage in cultural experiences, festivals, or events to broaden perspectives.
Once you are content with your list of resolutions, write down step-by-step how you intend to achieve them. Some goals, like staying hydrated or improving sleep habits, will require new habits. Meanwhile, broader goals such as traveling to a new country or mastering a language should be broken down into smaller, achievable steps. Breaking down goals makes progress measurable and helps you to identify the daily tasks needed for success.
Next, incorporate all actionable steps into your calendar or Notion to monitor your progress. I prefer digital tools for organizing larger goals, but I prefer a physical agenda or notebook for daily to-do lists or quick notes. Physically writing down things helps me remember them more and encourages me to get my tasks done.
Read More: The Morning Manifestation Routine that Will Transform Your Life
4. Refresh Your Space
After decorating for Christmas and hosting holiday parties, your space might need a little refresh for the new year. You can go all out with a complete home makeover, but a deep clean and maybe a few new items can really revive your home.
Take a day to tidy up your apartment and put away any holiday decorations. Dedicate a few hours to each room, and try to declutter and rearrange spaces wherever you can. If doing all the cleaning at once feels like too much, break it down by cleaning one room or section of your home each day until your entire space feels fully refreshed. Here's a one-day deep clean schedule that covers essential areas of your home:
Bedroom (1-2 hours)
Change bedding. Strip and replace bed linens, including pillowcases, sheets, and duvet covers.
Dust and vacuum. Dust surfaces, clean under the bed, and vacuum or mop the floors.
Organize closets. Declutter, organize, and tidy up closets and drawers.
Living Room (1-2 hours)
Dust and vacuum. Dust surfaces, including shelves, tables, and decorative items. Vacuum or sweep the floors thoroughly.
Clean furniture. Use appropriate cleaners to wipe down furniture, including sofas and chairs.
Organize devices. Tidy up cords, clean screens, and dust electronic devices.
Bathroom (1-2 hours)
Scrub surfaces. Clean and disinfect all surfaces, including counters, sinks, toilets, and tubs/showers.
Clean mirrors. Wipe down mirrors and glass surfaces.
Replace linens. Change towels and bath mats.
Kitchen (1-2 hours)
Declutter countertops. Clear countertops of unnecessary items.
Clean appliances. Wipe down appliances, especially the stove, microwave, and refrigerator.
Scrub sink. Use a cleaner to deep clean the sink and polish faucets.
Clean surfaces. Wipe cabinets, handles, and surfaces.
Final Touches (30 mins - 1 hour)
Floors. Mop hard floors and vacuum carpets once more.
Touch-up surfaces. Spot clean any missed spots on surfaces.
Air out spaces. Open windows to allow fresh air in.
After cleaning you might consider adding some new pieces to your space like flowers, a candle, fresh bath towels, a robe, a throw blanket or a humidifier. I love it when my space feels inspiring and well-organized, setting the tone for a strong start to the new year.
5. Start Healthy Habits
Getting back to the real world after the holidays can feel overwhelming. I find that it’s so energizing to add some sort of exercise to my daily routine. Whether it’s taking a walk outside or doing a short Pilates session, exercising helps me start my day with a healthy mindset and releases some stress. If you haven’t set a fitness goal for the new year, consider adding one — your mind and body with appreciate it.
After indulging a little too much during the holidays, I like to stock my pantry and fridge with nutritious foods and vitamins. You don’t have to throw away those holiday treats but make sure you have healthier options available. If you need some inspiration, search for seasonal recipes to try and make a trip to your local grocery store. Don’t forget to pick up any staples like vitamins, protein powder, and supplements.
6. Create New Beauty Routines
The new year is the perfect time to upgrade your beauty routines, especially since the cold winter temperatures are in full swing. My hair gets particularly dry during the winter months, so I like to incorporate an extra moisturizing shampoo and conditioner into my hair routine. I also like to book my first hair appointment of the year to refresh my style.
For my skin, I add more moisturizing products too — a thick ointment and a hydrating face mask are two great products I add to my beauty cabinet. I also pamper my body with a nourishing body oil. My makeup routine also gets an upgrade for the new year. I like to put away my glittery, holiday items for more neutral, everyday ones. I also like to try a different nail color for the new year — lately, I’ve been loving cherry red hues. If you need some more inspiration, here are 10 ways to change up your beauty routine for the new year:
Upgrade your sunscreen. Opt for a higher SPF or try a different sunscreen formulation suitable for your skin type.
Try facial massages. Incorporate facial massages or gua sha techniques to boost circulation and firmness.
Upgrade your brushes. Invest in quality makeup brushes for a more seamless application.
Clean your makeup tools. Deep clean your brushes and sponges.
Change your shampoo and conditioner. Try a new shampoo or conditioner specifically designed for your hair type or concerns.
Deep condition your hair. Treat your hair to a deep conditioning treatment or mask for added moisture.
Incorporate scalp care. Focus on scalp health by incorporating scalp scrubs or massaging treatments to stimulate hair growth.
Switch up your manicure. Experiment with nail art or try different nail polish colors.
Elevate your shower routine. Consider trying new shower gels, oils, or body washes for a luxurious shower every day.
Schedule your beauty appointments. Book your appointments for the dermatologist, nail tech, hair stylist, etc.
Read More: The French Girl Winter Skincare Routine
7. Organize Your Finances
Everyone can benefit from organizing their finances for the new year. It can feel overwhelming, especially after the holiday season when we’re often spending a lot, but it doesn’t need to be. Start by evaluating your current financial state. Take stock of your income, expenses, debts, savings, investments, and any major financial commitments.
Next, you’ll want to define specific and achievable financial objectives for the upcoming year. Whether it's paying off debts, building an emergency fund, saving for a significant purchase, or investing in retirement, having clear goals guides your financial decisions.
Once you understand your current finances and goals, it’s time to create a detailed budget that aligns with your objectives. Track income sources and categorize expenses, including necessities, discretionary spending, savings, and debt repayments. Utilize budgeting tools or apps to streamline this process. I track all of my spending on Notion using a basic budget tracker.
It’s important to regularly review your financial plan and adjust your budget, expenses, or savings plan as needed to accommodate changes in circumstances or unexpected expenses. Continuously educate yourself about personal finance, investing, and money management in 2024 and your future self will thank you.
Read More: How to Budget for Your Dream Apartment
The end of the year offers a fresh start and a chance to realign your goals and aspirations. Preparing for the new year involves reflection, planning, and setting intentions, so I hope you’ll take the opportunity to set some New Year’s resolutions and get organized for 2024. Happy New Year!
How are you preparing for the new year? Let me know in the comments below.
