In a world crowded with abandoned New Year’s resolutions, self-improvement goals have begun to feel less aspirational and more obligatory. By the end of January, many are quietly shelved in favor of comfort, routine, and recovery—especially after a year like 2025. Yet in the ongoing pursuit of love, happiness, and personal growth, a shift is taking place. Across social media, people are reimagining what goal-setting can look like, sharing small, tangible “hacks” that make New Year intentions feel exciting, attainable, and worth returning to long after the calendar turns. Here are some ideas we have cataloged from doomscrolling the internet that can help you jump into 2026 with excitement and a positive mindset:

Create a Vision Board

Gather old magazines, printouts, or pictures from the internet that represent your goals, dreams, and things you want to accomplish in 2026. Cut them out and glue them to a poster board or use a digital platform like Canva to help you avoid the messy clean up. It's like creating a visual map for your year! Focus on school, hobbies, friendships, or personal goals. Having a vision board somewhere you can see it often is a great way to stay inspired.

Try a New Hobby or Skill

Start something totally new! Maybe it’s something you’ve always been curious about but never tried. We recommend pre-purchasing a class bundle to increase accountability, however you can save money by setting weekly alarms and following a tutorial at home. So take the leap and learn to play an instrument, take a cooking or baking class, doodle and paint, or try a new sport. Course Hero has access to many amazing NYC businesses. You can also try something truly out of the box like Pottery Studio 1 or Gotham Archery!

Do a "21-Day Challenge"

Commit to doing something every day for 21 days! It is the perfect way to start the year not only because it’s a shorter term goal and doesn’t feel as daunting, but it’s also how long it takes to develop a new habit. Pick an easy goal that can have larger life impact on your mental or physical health. Daily journaling or drinking more water are perfect options for a low pressure addition to self improvement.

After the 21 days, you’ll also have built a cool habit that could last all year!

Create a “Feel-Good” Playlist

Start your year by making a playlist of your favorite songs that get you excited or lift your mood. Play it every morning to start your day on a high note. You could even make playlists for different moods or activities, like a chill study playlist or a dance-around-the-house playlist.

Plan a "Staycation"

If you can't travel far, treat yourself to a staycation! Take a weekend in your own city or town and explore like you’re a tourist. Visit local parks, try out new restaurants, or try a fun activity you haven’t done in a while. This is a fun way to appreciate where you live and take you out of you usual schedule. This is something customize to home much time you want to spend planning and you can plan it with friends or try a solo adventure. If you live in New York City, this is an easy one as there is constantly new things to explore.

Volunteer More

Start the year off with kindness. Volunteering is possibly the best goal to have in 2026. Not only does it give you purpose, but with every commitment fulfilled you are helping the lives of others.

New York Cares is an amazing organization to check out. They have tons of way to show up for your community between educating, serving individuals impacted by hunger, maintaining green spaces, and health and wellness for vulnerable groups.

If you don’t have enough time to fully commit: Leave an anonymous note for someone who might need encouragement.Help a friend with something they’ve been struggling with. Call a family member and let them know you love them.

Set Monthly Mini-Themes

Sometimes annual goals can feel daunting, try creating monthly mini-themes. Each month you will have a separate area of concentration. Like January is the '“month of learning”, and you will focus on reading for 10 minutes every day, While February is "the month of connection" and you will contact loved ones you haven’t talked to in a while.

This is especially great for anyone who isn’t sure of their goals for the year as you get to try tons of different things without the pressure of doing them all at once.

If you happen to not follow through with one of the themes you can always pick up the next one a month later!

Create 2026 Punch Cards

This is a great way to have fun and reframe your “goals” as experiences to collect. There is no failure or missing days involved, and is something you will slowly accumulate to complete.

It’s also completely customizable. Social media is littered with punch card making parties featuring friends crafting up their own 2026 aspiration masterpieces. Between reading 12 new books or going on 12 day trips the opportunities are endless. Our favorite part of is the little rush of endorphins when you finally get to hole punch your card.

Setting goals and keeping them… a 2026 mindset!

Celebrate January 2026 in NYC!

MOCKTAILS are taking over the big apple!