Don’t wait for the 1st of January to start a new habit

With less than 30 days left in this year 2024 there’s still a lot of time left to start something new. Today you’re getting 4 tips you can start putting into practice now.

Everyone starts on the 1st of January. Why wait? You have 25 days left to get ahead and start 2025 with already-established habits.

Most New Year resolutions fail after 2 weeks (or even 1 day) because they have a big goal. They either procrastinate because it looks too big or try to take steps that are too big for the beginning.

Now this is the opportunity to use the rest of the year to take baby steps and establish habits that stick.

1) Daily exercise

Start small, and by the 1st of January, you’ll be way ahead.

Everyone is starting on the 1st of January. You know the gyms are less crowded now, and it’s easier to start because there’s less pressure.

You don’t have to go to the gym yet. Find something that you like to do and start with baby steps.

I love to go for walks, and when the weather is nice, I go for a walk on the way home. It helps to recharge and energize. It’s a small habit you can do daily.

Because it’s cold outside, I’m doing my exercising inside now. You don’t have to go to gym to work out. It can be overwhelming for introverts with all the people and noises.

Start with small steps you can do alone at home:

• stretching in the morning after waking up
• going for a longer walk
• taking the stairs
• turning on a 5-minute YouTube exercise video
• move or clean up while watching Netflix

It’s easier to start a new habit if you attach it to something you’re already doing.

For example, you move while watching Netflix. My mom always uses the exercise bike while watching her favorite TV series.

I’m exercising in the morning while listening to an audiobook or podcast. It energizes me for the whole day.

Exercise is just for me. I’m doing it for myself and my health.

If you struggle with motivation, find yourself a goal to work towards. Like a half-marathon, summer body, a specific amount of weight loss…

2) Self-care

We tend to forget ourselves during the busy holiday season.

Don’t just start after Christmas.

Start now.

Some suggestions:

• Don’t drink alcohol just because everyone else does.
• Don’t eat a lot of chocolate and gingerbread just because everyone else does.
• Don’t force yourself to go to every Christmas party. Take breaks and take care of your energy.

Enjoy the Christmas time instead of stressing yourself from one event to the next or going shopping on the weekend.

Make a list of to-dos you have to do. You have an overview, and you can do them stress-free.

I have a list of presents I need to organize, and I’m trying to finish it by the end of November. This frees up time and brain power in December.

Then make a list of self-care to-dos. What do you want to do and enjoy during Christmas?

What do you need to recharge after the celebrations?

Do the opposite of every stressed holiday season person:

• don’t go shopping on the weekend
• don’t go to Christmas markets right before Christmas or on the weekends
• don’t procrastinate on buying gifts until the last days before Christmas

It’s the season of love and spending time together, but you still need to set boundaries. You don’t have the energy to go to a party every day.

Take some time to relax at home with a cup of hot chocolate and a happy Christmas movie.

3) Introducing a positive morning habit

I love waking up earlier because it’s quiet and I have time for myself. For writing this or just thinking.

If you start waking up a little earlier with a daily mini step of 1 to 5 minutes, you’ll have almost 30 minutes more in the morning at the end of December.

Those minutes are just for you.

It’s a quiet, undisturbed time just for you. You hear yourself thinking. You can be creative.

Some positive morning habits you could do:

• Stretching or exercising
• Writing
• Journaling
• Planning
• Meditating
• Visualizing
• Drawing
• Enjoying the silence with a cup of tea
• Listening to music
• Reading
• Telling yourself affirmations
• Writing down what you’re grateful for
• Taking care of plants
• Making a healthier breakfast
• Watching an online course
• Skincare

Whatever habit you’re introducing, you will have it established by the beginning of 2025, and you’re a big step ahead of everyone who starts on January 1st.

You have a 25-day advantage in establishing the habit, which you need to automate.

4) Enjoying Christmas time

It can be stressful, exhausting, and draining for introverts. Especially all those social events.

Instead of getting sick or having no energy for self-care: enjoy Christmas time by taking care of your energy.

Like I said before: you need to set boundaries and take care of your energy levels.

I’m not saying yes to every Christmas party I get invited to because I need some evenings to recharge.

The same goes for family gatherings at Christmas: you don’t have to spend time with them 24/7. Take some time for yourself to recharge and have energy again for the next gathering.

I’m driving home to my parents for Christmas and staying for a week. And then we’re having different family gatherings with aunts, uncles, and my grandparents. I’m not trying to be around people 24/7 anymore because it’s draining my energy, and in the end I don’t have any left to make actual conversation.

Instead, I enjoy calm mornings with a book and exercising by myself.

Christmas is a season to enjoy and not be stressed about.

The best way to relax is by drinking a cup of hot chocolate while watching a Christmas movie (or your favorite TV series). Winter is the perfect excuse for staying at home alone.

The end of 2024

With those 4 tips, you can make the end of 2024 a great time of growth and enjoyment, and you can start 2025 with momentum.

Everyone is starting their “new” habits on the 1st of January.

Be different and start today!

You’ll be way ahead by the beginning of 2025, and it’s easier to start because nobody is doing it.

Now it’s up to you to decide: What are you gonna do with the rest of the year 2024?

And why wait?