New Year’s Resolutions 2026 Guide | Ideas, Tips & More

The new year is just around the corner – and with it comes the annual search for New Year’s resolutions. Because let’s be honest: can we really start 2026 without good intentions for the new year? Eat healthier, read more, exercise regularly – what’s on your list this year?
If you’re still looking for inspiration or want to learn how to actually stick to your resolutions this time, you’re in the right place. Grab yourself a warm cup of tea, get cozy, and discover everything you need to know to start the new year off right!

Why New Year’s resolutions often don’t work

We all know the gym membership that’s taken out with full motivation in January – and then never used again, right? Why does that happen?
Many New Year’s resolutions don’t fail because we lack discipline, but because of how we approach them. On January 1st, we often start overmotivated, want to change everything at once, and set huge goals that feel totally overwhelming after just a few days. On top of that, we often phrase our resolutions too vaguely – “live healthier,” “do more sports,” “less stress.” But what does that actually mean in everyday life? Without concrete steps, a good resolution quickly turns into a nice wish that gets lost in the hustle and bustle of daily life. We slip back into old routines simply because they’re familiar and comfortable. And turning resolutions into habits takes time.

That doesn’t mean New Year’s resolutions can’t work – they just need more structure, realistic expectations, and a bit of patience with ourselves.

 

… and how you can still stick to your New Year’s resolutions

We’ve put together some tips to help you stick to your New Year’s resolutions – step by step.

1. Reflect on your year
   What went well, what was missing, or what would you have wished for? In which areas are you already happy with yourself and your life, and where would you like to make a change in 2026? Write all your thoughts down.

2. Set goals
   New Year’s resolutions often fail because they’re set rather randomly – choosing what just sounds good. You can only achieve and maintain your resolutions sustainably if they align with your goals and help you realize your wishes & dreams. That way, you know exactly what you’re working towards. So set a few goals for the new year – whether something small or a bigger intention like living healthier.

3. Prioritize your goals and break them down
   If you’ve written down five or more goals, take a look at which ones really matter to you. Trying to completely turn your entire life upside down overnight is basically setting yourself up for failure. Choose a few important goals you genuinely want to work on. If your goals are big, break them down into smaller steps – otherwise it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and give up before you even start. For example, “living healthier” can be broken down into eating healthier, exercising more, getting enough sleep, etc.

4. Define your goals clearly and decide how you want to implement them
   Write your goals down and decide what they mean to you. What exactly is part of them and how can you implement them? Create a to-do list – or, more motivating, an inspiration list. For example: going to the gym twice a week instead of “doing more sports.” That way, when you feel a bit lost, you can always see what you could do today to work toward your goals.

5. Grow step by step
   It’s very important not to take on too much at once. Reading one hour a day, cooking three healthy meals daily, and going to the gym for an hour every day is often simply too much. Start gradually – for example, go to the gym twice a week and cook one really healthy meal a day. Over time, you can slowly increase and adjust your goals.

6. Now it’s time to take action
   Just start! Don’t overthink it and try to silence that inner voice that comes up with a thousand excuses. Of course, you’re allowed (and supposed!) to take breaks and not push yourself every single day just to reach your goals. But if you notice that the days full of excuses are becoming more frequent, it might be time to take action. ;) Always remind yourself why you’re doing this. Soon, the new habits will become routine and things will get easier.

7. Dealing with setbacks and lack of motivation
   It’s completely normal to hit a motivation low after a few days or weeks. Don’t hesitate to ask friends and family for support. Celebrate your small and big wins and reward yourself when you push through to work on your goals. At the same time, accept that some days just won’t work out.

8. Stay consistent and keep the big picture in mind
   Giving 50% every day is better than giving 110% for two weeks and then nothing for the rest of the year. Slow, sustainable progress is (almost) always better than jumping into things full force and not being able to stick with them.
   For perspective: going to the gym twice a week adds up to over 100 workouts per year, one apple a week becomes more than 50 apples a year, and reading 15 minutes a day turns into 10 books a year.

 

Our tip: Habit tracker

What really helps me stick to my resolutions and build sustainable routines are habit trackers. Habit trackers can support you in integrating new – good – habits into your daily life or finally letting go of unwanted ones.
They come in many forms: classic paper versions, habit tracker apps, or digital habit trackers like the one from Vetain. Regardless of the format, they usually work similarly: a table or calendar where you can enter your habits or goals. Each day, you check off or color a box when you’ve completed the task. Tracking habits like this makes it easier for many people to stick with them long-term and turn them into real routines. With Vetain’s habit tracker, your progress is also calculated automatically, giving you an overview of how your month is going and how well you’re sticking to your habits – an instant motivation boost.

I love habit trackers and honestly can’t imagine my New Year’s resolutions for 2026 without one!

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New Year’s resolutions | Ideas for you

If you’re still unsure about your resolutions for 2026, you’ll definitely find inspiration here! We’ve put together some classic New Year’s resolutions that come up year after year, along with a few special challenges. 
Tip: at the end of the article, you’ll also find Vetain’s own New Year’s resolutions – we’ve got big plans for the year ahead, too!

 

Fitness & health resolutions

Starting the new year fit? We’re in! Here are some great ideas to enjoy an active 2026.

1. Exercise 2–3 times a week (or simply be more active)

2. Quit smoking

3. Improve fitness and endurance

4. Build muscle

5. Get enough sleep (7–8 hours per night)

6. Lose, gain, or maintain weight

7. Sign up for a gym (and actually go regularly ;))

 

Nutrition resolutions

More fruits & vegetables from January onwards? Let’s head to the kitchen – we’ll show you how. No joke, we even wrote an article on how to eat a balanced diet in everyday life.

1. Eat 5 servings of fruits & vegetables daily (as part of eating healthier)

2. Cook more at home

3. Reduce sugar intake

4. Eat vegetarian or vegan

5. Eat more protein

6. Drink less alcohol

7. Drink 1.5 liters of water daily – or simply drink more water

 

Finances & organization resolutions

We all know that pile of letters & documents that really needs organizing. And a bit more money in the bank wouldn’t hurt either. Our finance & organization resolutions make it possible.

1. Save more money

2. Create and stick to a budget

3. Review insurance policies

4. Stay organized

5. Cancel unnecessary subscriptions

6. Pay off debt

7. Declutter all closets in your home

8. Keep a calendar

9. Organize documents & contracts

 

Personal development resolutions

Personal growth is the ultimate goal, right?

1. Read more books

2. Learn new skills or hobbies

3. Attend courses or workshops

4. Challenge and change limiting beliefs

5. Reduce screen time

6. Reflect regularly

7. Keep a journal or bullet journal

 

Mental health & wellbeing resolutions

To make 2026 your best year yet, we definitely need to talk about mental health & self-care!

1. Actively reduce stress (e.g., through yoga)

2. Plan more breaks

3. Take more time for yourself

4. Learn meditation or other relaxation techniques

5. Set boundaries & learn to say “no”

6. Live more mindfully

7. Spend more time offline

 

Relationships & social resolutions

In everyday stress, we often forget our loved ones. So here are some resolutions to help you stay connected with family & friends in 2026.

1. Spend more time with family and friends

2. Actively nurture friendships

3. Get to know your neighbors

4. Become a better listener

5. Offer help to others – and accept help in return

6. Meet new people

7. Reconnect with old contacts

8. Do something kind for others regularly

 

Sustainability & environment resolutions

We at Vetain love our environment – do you too? Then take a look at our resolutions for living more sustainably.

1. Live vegan

2. Shop more sustainably

3. Reduce waste

4. Buy more second-hand

5. Avoid plastic products

6. Support sustainable companies (hi, we’re Vetain, a sustainable start-up!)

7. Use public transportation

8. Separate waste properly

9. Reduce energy and water consumption

 

Are New Year’s resolutions nonsense?

New year, new me – meaningful or not? More and more people claim resolutions are pointless. Often paired with the question: how long do New Year’s resolutions actually last? Admittedly, many only last a few days or weeks. But that doesn’t mean the tradition itself is pointless. It simply shows that the approach to implementing them isn’t quite right yet. Reflecting, working on yourself, and improving your life is powerful and incredibly important.

Of course, this doesn’t have to happen on January 1st. But for many, the clear end of a year and the fresh start of a new one is the perfect invitation for a reset. And personally, I think a new year brings a huge amount of potential and motivation. You can just as easily start in November or on a random Tuesday afternoon. Good habits are always good – whether at the start of the year or when summer is just around the corner.

 

Conclusion

At Vetain, our New Year’s resolutions are already set! We want to keep creating the best vegan products for you, continue to grow, and expand the Vetain family even further. We’ve also got exciting new products and projects lined up. And when it comes to our blog: you’ll continue to find plenty of insights on nutrition, health, and lifestyle – plus, of course, delicious recipes.

What are your New Year’s resolutions? Feel free to share them with us!
Happy New Year from your Vetain team!

 

Do you have questions? Then feel free to send me an email – I’m looking forward to hearing from you! :)