50 Tiny Resolutions For Busy Moms

Ahhh… New Year’s resolutions. By this point, you may be keeping yours or you may have already given up. I have been guilty of making huge, sweeping resolutions. You know the kind: “This is the year I will ___________.” (Write a book, drop 25 pounds, stop complaining…) Um…. no, no and no. Those things did not happen. They didn’t even begin to happen.

For me, large resolutions often exist only in thought. I do better when I adopt what I call tiny resolutions—small manageable resolutions, habits really. These can be experiences I have been putting off or things that add to my enjoyment and make me a better person, partner, and parent. Tiny resolutions are those that I can easily incorporate into my daily life.

I create tiny resolutions at the beginning of a new year. And I also add to my list throughout the year. I think that you can resolve to change things anytime, even in February—especially in February. I encourage you to try it now. Start small, get one victory under your belt, remind yourself that you can change, and then move on to something else. Down the road, all these small victories stacked upon each other will feel like a big accomplishment.

Here are 50 eminently achievable tiny resolutions to get you started:

1. Stand up straight
2. Wear lipstick
3. Only drink coffee on the weekend
4. Wake up 15 minutes earlier
5. Pray for one person by name each week
6. Write New Year’s letters to your children
7. Clean your garage
8. Pause before purchasing non-essentials
9. Get a library card
10. Take a walk every day
11. Give up soda
12. Schedule a physical
13. Try to eat something plant-based with every meal
14. Meal plan
15. Check food expiration dates weekly, freeze or use items nearing expiration
16. Join a moms group that meets in person
17. Play tourist in your own town
18. Shred outdated paperwork
19. Send out your Christmas cards the weekend after Thanksgiving
20. Try one new wellness experience: massage, cupping, acupuncture
21. Replace your wire hangers with plastic
22. Join or start a book club that meets in person
23. Make a will
24. Cook one new recipe a month
25. Find a babysitter, plan a date night
26. Learn something new: crochet, flower arranging, piano
27. Deliver a meal to someone in need
28. Introduce yourself to a neighbor
29. Read one parenting book
30. Go see a movie by yourself
31. Find and listen to a new podcast
32. Keep a one-sentence journal
33. Embrace easy family traditions
34. Invite friends into your home
35. Use the screentime app to track your phone usage
36. Take a social media break
37. Try grocery pick-up or delivery
38. Window shop and don’t make a purchase
39. Explore your genealogy
40. Get a mammogram or other necessary test you’ve been avoiding
41. Say “yes” for a week
42. At the next wedding you attend, get up and dance
43. Plant fresh herbs
44. Interview someone who inspires you
45. Camp in your backyard
46. Update your LinkedIn profile
47. Pass on outgrown children’s items to a charity or friend
48. Start composting
49. Stop gossiping
50. Consider using coupons and cash to curb spending

What small wins are you planning this year? Share your tiny resolutions with us in the comments below!