17 Ways To Start 2017 Off Right
Phew, 2016 is finally over! So here are 17 things you can do to begin the New Year with a fresh start.
There’s no denying 2016 has been a memorable year in so many ways, but it’s now time to move on from all of that and focus on the next twelve months. That’s right, 2017 has arrived (and not a moment too soon you might say).
As the New Year begins, we’ve come up with 17 relatively simple ideas for how you can start 2017 at your best – feeling fresh, rejuvenated and motivated to achieve once again.
So take a gander at our list below and, even if you only pick out a few ideas to take on, hopefully it will help you begin the next twelve months the right way.
1). Take down all your Christmas decorations
First things first, while it may be a little sad taking down the Christmas tree, packing up the decorations and removing that festive wreath, it really is the only way to properly say goodbye to 2016 and hello to 2017. Don’t worry, before you know it it’ll be time to look out that box of baubles and tinsel again for Christmas ’17. Now there’s a scary thought!
2). Give your house a thorough deep clean
Whether you’re the untidy type or happily house proud there’s always room for a big old deep clean of your home as the New Year commences. Take it room by room and be sure to clean and dust every nook-and-cranky in your property. We promise by the end you’ll feel organised and calm and ready to take on anything.
3). Change things around by giving your home a makeover
After you’ve cleaned up it’s time to reassess your living space – something most of us rarely ever do. Just because things have been the way they are around your home for so long, doesn’t mean it has to stay that way! Think about your daily habits and routines and see if a change around could help you be more efficient. Even just shifting a few pieces of furniture around or treating yourself to some new lamps can help.
4). Treat yourself to some brand new bedding
If there’s one thing even nicer than freshly washed bedding it’s brand new freshly washed bedding. So if your sheets, bed covers, pillows and duvet are looking a little sad and tired then it’s time to give yourself a gift you’ll never regret. After all, a good night’s sleep is so important to productivity and happiness.
5). Empty out your wardrobe and get rid of the clutter
Surely we’ve all got things crowding up our wardrobes and drawers that we haven’t worn in years? Take January 2017 as the prime opportunity to sort this out and get rid of your clothing clutter. We suggest ditching anything you haven’t worn in the last twelve months that doesn’t have sentimental value. But make sure if the clothes are still in a reasonable condition that you bag them up and head down to your local charity shop to donate!
6). Book yourself in for a full health check with your doctor
January is the perfect time for us all to give our bodies (and our minds!) a little MOT check-up to make sure everything’s OK and to take any steps necessary to improve our health and lifestyle. Book this in now so you can have peace of mind that everything is all good.
7). Change up your exercise routine and set some fitness goals
It’s all too easy to become bored by repetitive gym routines, the same-old exercise classes and a generic bike cycle route to work, so use the New Year to commit to a change. Whether it’s a new weights routine or class – or something more extreme!
8). Schedule a meeting with your boss to go over the year’s goals
It’s always a good idea to have a frank and productive discussion with your boss in January to set out any goals and targets for the year. Explain what you want to accomplish and how you want to progress your career and allow your boss to do the same. It helps remove any uncertainty and allows you to put any issues out on the table early. Plus hopefully your boss will be feeling relaxed after the Christmas holidays!
9). Update your CV in case that dream job comes up
Following on from the last point, it’s a good time to update your CV or portfolio to make sure it boasts all of your relevant skills, jobs, volunteer work, hobbies and references. You never know when you might spot an opportunity to switch things up and find that elusive dream job, so it’s best to be prepared.
10). Re-do your Netflix or Amazon watchlists
This isn’t rocket science – but it can still help you get organised all the same. Go through those ever-growing watchlists and delete anything you’ve now seen, changed your mind about or can’t remember why you added in the first place. Time is precious and we all probably watch far too much TV as it is – so prioritise quality over quantity on this one.
11). On the same note – commit to one TV free night a week
As well as streamlining what movies and TV shows you’re watching, perhaps try to make a commitment with yourself, your partner or your housemates that you’ll have at least one night a week without any television at all. Whether you cook a meal together, play some games or head out to explore your local area – just keep that remote locked away for once.
12). Start your own herb garden in the kitchen
It sounds like such a small idea but having something to care for as well as bringing a little nature inside can really make a difference to how your home makes you feel. Plus cultivating hardy herb plants like rosemary, bay and thyme doesn’t require too much expertise at all.
13). Subscribe to some new playlists to discover new music
We can all be guilty of resting on our laurels music-wise sometimes – listing to the same old bands or artists and often even the same few rotating playlists of songs. Use January as an opportunity to subscribe to some of Spotify’s (or whichever music service you use) curated and regularly updated playlists to keep things exciting.
14). Look through your food cupboards and have a clear out
Take this time to have a sort through your cupboards, pantry or larder to throw out anything that’s well past its best – because it’s worth remembering that even non-perishables eventually go off!
15). If you’re in debt – make a plan to be in a better place by year’s end
It’s well worth taking steps to take the power back when it comes to debt, no matter how much you’d rather plod along and deny its existence. Take stock of the situation, look into ways to quickly and effectively reduce this debt and get started on your road to financial freedom.
16). Make some friend dates – and stick to them
We’ve all surely committed that cardinal sin of flaking on a close friend without warning or a valid excuse – it can be so easy to do. But 2017 isn’t the year for that! Make some dates to hang out with your closest friends regularly and make sure you follow through.
17). Commit to taking on one new hobby or learning a skill this year
Think of it this way – you’ve now got twelve months to add something amazing to your life. Whether it’s a fun new hobby you can do on your own or a course you can take on with a friend – make it happen!
