The best New Year’s goals are all about getting out of your comfort zone! Even if you love setting resolutions that are practical—like saving money—be resolute in your dedication to trying something new this year. Find inspiration for your 2022 bucket list!
Take a Road Trip
Photo via @earth.all
What better way to spice up your life than to set out on the open road? Whether you take a classic car cruise, head out on a motorcycle road trip, go on an RV adventure, explore national parks, or check out some beach destinations, you can be sure to cross “road tripping” off your travel bucket list.
Do Things Alone
Photo via @rensianist
Exploring new things can be as simple as doing activities by yourself! Go to the movies alone, or grab a bite to eat with a good book. Already a pro at solo activities in your city? Give traveling alone a go! Getting to see a new place by yourself is an awesome way to meet new people and do things on your own schedule!
Try Different Cuisines
Photo via @everylittlecrumb
Fill your bucket list with things you can accomplish in your everyday life—like sampling new cuisines! Add Ethiopian, Russian, and Lebanese restaurants to your dining out rotation. If you have less diverse dining choices in your city, find recipes for Korean, Cuban, and German dishes online!
Go Abroad
Photo via @visitgreecegr
Seeing the world is one of the best ways to get out of your comfort zone! Make a plan to visit every continent, begin plotting your European vacation, or see one of the seven wonders of the world. Already have a foreign country you love? Why not live abroad there for a year or so? You could work remotely, become an au pair, or look for a Workaway opportunity. Get out there and experience new things in the world!
Shake Up Home Design & Organization
Photo via @gooseandellen
Looking for a new way to think about your possessions and decor? This year, work on self development by learning to be less attached to items and live more embracing minimalism! Another way to shift the energy in your living space is to learn how to feng shui your home. Change your life this year by changing your atmosphere!
Rescue a Pet
Photo via @humanerescue
Adopt a furry friend to make a change in life! A cat or dog will add a new dynamic to your home, as well as lots of laughs and smiles to your day. Not only will a household pet create joy and new adventures, but they can also help reduce stress and anxiety! Check out your local humane society for animals to adopt. If you’re looking for an unconventional pet, consider getting a pet rabbit, bird, lizard, or guinea pig!
Get a Tattoo
Photo via @emilierobinsontattoo
Do something unexpected this year like adding fresh ink to your skin! This might seem like a weird thing to try, but if you’ve never gotten a tattoo before, it’s something new to try to get outside of your comfort zone. Those getting a tattoo for the first time should consider where they want it and the pain level associated with that area. Starting with a smaller tattoo like a short quote, tiny flower, or geometric shape is a great idea to gauge your pain tolerance. Some other popular tattoos include a tribute to a loved one, a child’s name, or any traditional-style flash tattoos.
Buy a Home
Photo via @lyndsy.wojtus.realtor
It’s easy to get comfortable renting a home, but one major way to expand your horizons this year is to get into the real estate game. Home ownership may seem like a major step to take, but if you’re looking to make a life change and an investment in your future, it could be the right move for you! Buying a condo is a great way to ease into home ownership, as many of your amenities are provided and landscaping is taken care of. Just be sure to ask these questions before purchasing a condo! If you’d rather go big, build a custom home!
Go to a Music Festival
Photo via @pollstar_official
Some of the most new activities to try involve music! There’s nothing quite like going to concerts all day, eating from food carts, and being surrounded by people who are thrilled to be right where they are. If you’re a concert lover, designate time to enjoy music in a festival setting this year—like Coachella, Bonnaroo, or Lollapalooza. It’s like nothing you’ve ever experienced before!
Try Skydiving
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When it comes to breaking out of the monotony of daily life, don’t limit your personal goals to things on the ground. Try skydiving, bungee jumping, or paragliding to make your goals as high as the sky. All of these activities are sure to get your adrenaline pumping and give you a new view on life.
Move to a New City
Photo via @jeremyechols
Have you never lived outside of your hometown? Dreaming of living in and experiencing a different place? If you’re looking for things to do to get out of your comfort zone, consider moving to a new city! There’s no time like the present to change your location. Whether you’re searching for the best cities for jobs, the most affordable U.S. cities, or the best places to live on the West Coast, this new city guide has you covered.
Study to Be a Sommelier
Photo via @famigliacecchi
Looking for a unique New Year’s resolution? Take your passion for wine to the next level! Refine your palate by starting the process to become a sommelier online. Prefer beer over wine? Study to earn your cicerone certificate. There are also local wine and beer tastings in most cities, if you’re less invested in deep study and would prefer to learn as you drink!
Ride in a Hot Air Balloon
Photo via @ashploussard
Shift your perspective! Cross “enjoying a picnic in the sky” or “doing a champagne toast at 1,200 feet” off your couple’s bucket list. Riding in a hot air balloon is a great way to see a new city or change the way you look at your current hometown. Travel to Albuquerque in October for the largest hot air ballon festival in the world. Or head to Colorado Springs in September to see the sky full of bright colors at the Labor Day Lift Off.
Take a Dance Class
Photo via @lestudio_club
If moving your body more is your New Year’s resolution, try taking salsa lessons or attending a hip hop class. If rhythm is a regular part of your life, mix things up with belly dancing or learning the tango. Shake out any nerves to the beat as you expand your comfort zone!
Get Off the Grid
Photo via @samtaylor93
Step away from your computer and head out into nature! Mix things up this year by going camping or hiking to just get away from the hustle and bustle for a while. Even if you don’t think nature is calling, a 30-day digital detox could be a great New Year’s resolution idea to add to the list!
Change Career Paths
Photo via @lifeadventureswithgod
Want to pursue a career that lets you travel? Do it! Dreaming of going back to school? Start your application! Now’s the time to switch up your day-to-day routines and make a career change. While financial reasons or comfort in your current job make it seem impossible to switch, if there’s something you’ve always dreamed of doing, develop a plan to put it into action. It might not be tomorrow, but start creating a step-by-step list to make it a reality!
Be a Tourist in Your Own City
Photo via @telestowatches
How well do you actually know where you live? Find fun things to try in your own backyard by checking out your local tourism department. You can discover parks, restaurants, museums, and hidden gems that you’ve never visited before. Be sure to look out for local events and activities you haven’t tried, too!
Go Rock Climbing
Photo via @laura.adventures
Rock climbing is a thrilling way to better yourself and put your fear of heights to the test! Before you head out to the mountains, get to know the ropes at an indoor climbing gym. If you’re on vacation, make sure you hire a guide or sign up for a class to learn about gear and safety tips before ascending.
Download a Dating App
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Finding love is one of the best New Year goals! If you’re ready to get out there and meet people, hop on a popular dating app like Tinder or Bumble, where you can swipe until you find a match. There’s also Hinge, which ditches the swiping method for prompts to help you find personality-based matches. Of course, there are hundreds of other niche dating websites and apps where you can find matches based on specific traits or shared interests. Just don’t be afraid to put yourself out there!
Overhaul Your Home
Photo via @mmlighting
Add revamping your home to your list of new things to try! Whether you want to do a major remodel that increases the value of your home or you’re looking for design inspiration to transform a spare room into something fun, this ultimate home improvement project guide will help you upgrade your living space.
Sign Up for a Physical Competition
Photo via @thecolorrun
Practice self improvement by putting your physical limits to the test this year! Start with a fun 5K like the The Color Run. Compete in teams on a messy obstacle course race like Tough Mudder. You can also train for a half-marathon, marathon, or triathlon and really see what you can accomplish!
Ask for a Raise
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Discussing money can feel awkward. But if you feel like you’ve been doing the work to deserve a raise, push yourself to ask for it! Schedule a time to meet with your boss and remember to come prepared. This year, cross off your bucket list item of “being brave” as you take actions toward the life you want.
Retire Early
Photo via @misselectrify
Have you ever crunched the numbers to know when you could retire? Your financial state, your housing situation, and your future relocation plans are all things to think about before determining if you’re ready to retire. But if all that’s holding you back is the fear of change, maybe it’s time to leave your comfort zone!
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