28 Smart things to do to start a new life for the better

We all come to a period in our lives where we realize that going on like this, we won’t be able to do something with our life.

If we don’t like the situation we are in now, then we have to do something to change it.

And to change that, we must also change our lives.

It seems difficult, and I’m not telling you it isn’t, but by adopting small precautions and having our goal in mind, everything becomes more feasible.

Today in this post, I’m going to list 28 smart things to do to start a new life for the better, so you won’t forget the most important things to change it.

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Smart things to do to start a new life for the better

This list of 28 smart things to do to start a new life is not just a list. Implementing just a few things on this list can actually lead to positive change.

And if that’s what you really want, then all you have to do is pick a thing or two from the list and get started.

1) Declutter and organize your wardrobe

How many times have you opened your closet and couldn’t find the dress you wanted to wear due to the clutter?

If you think you haven’t had time to clean up your closet, well, this is one of the things you absolutely must do in January.

Set aside clothes you don’t use and donate them to charities, organize your going-out clothes and separate them from those for home, and buy baskets to organize socks and small clothes to keep everything clean.

Your wardrobe will be more organized and you will always find the right dress for the right moment.

2) Read a self-help book

This is definitely one of the smart things to do to start a new life for the better if you are determined that you would like to improve it and make a change.

Self-help books can not only be a source of motivation, but they are also a valuable aid in tackling and solving a specific problem.

It helps you recognize the problem, develop a plan, and give you tips to stick to it to solve your problem.

So if you want to improve yourself this year, don’t back down from self-help books and read read read to improve yourself.

3) Clean the freezer and fridge

Maybe you haven’t had enough time or haven’t thought about it, but once in a while, it’s good to clean out the fridge.

Not only is it more hygienic, but having a clean and tidy refrigerator helps you keep track of the foods you have at home and avoid forgetting and then throwing away expired or moldy food.

Whether you have a fridge or freezer or both, organize it so that everything is within easy reach.

You could arrange them in labeled baskets or packets and keep them organized in your fridge or freezer.

4) Clean your mailbox

Have you ever gone to check your emails and find yourself with hundreds of emails that you have never read or even that you are not interested in?

E-mail is just as important as the letters you receive.

So it’s a good habit to always keep it clean and to eliminate what you don’t read or don’t need anymore.

If you no longer have any interest in the things you signed up for, unsubscribe from their newsletters, so you only receive things that are important and that you really care about.

5) Increase your awareness of your thoughts

This year, increase your awareness of your thoughts.

It may seem trivial, but sometimes we find ourselves thinking and rethinking without even realizing it or always thinking about something that hasn’t happened yet and how this affects our lives.

A really useful way is to practice mindfulness, which helps you to learn and observe your thoughts in a conscious way instead of being trapped by your emotions and identifying with them.

6) Tidy up your medicine cabinet

Let’s not forget to also clean up the medicines that we no longer need or those that have expired.

Checking your medicine cabinet at least once a month is a good practice if you want to have everything organized and your medicines close at hand.

One thing we do at home is to keep a sheet with the names of the medicines and their expiration dates.

So if we need something, we consult it to see if we have it and when it’s time to buy it again. Easy and simple.

7) Break one bad habit at a time

This is one of the smart things to do to start a new life for the better and also the most challenging thing to do, but if you are determined to improve yourself and change your life, then I can only mention this point.

We all have bad habits that we’ve developed over time but that limit our progress and improve ourselves.
But that doesn’t mean we have to stay that way.

Decide on the habit you want to break and develop a plan to replace it with a good habit. The important thing is to take steps and focus on one habit at a time.

8) Clean your house deeply

During the holidays or on your days off, take the opportunity to give the house a good thorough cleaning.

This means washing the curtains, cleaning the windows, dusting the spots that don’t seem important to us and that we leave out, eliminating objects that we don’t need, or changing the aesthetics of the room.

Deep cleaning is essential if you want to live in a clean and tidy environment and above all contributes to mental health, as a chaotic environment almost always causes stress and demotivation.

9) Find a mentor

We’ve all wanted to do something but we haven’t been able to do it.

This point is not only valid for those who are in the business field, but I think it can be useful for everyone.

What plans do you have for the year? What goals did you set yourself to achieve to start a new life?

If you’ve tried in the past and failed, ask yourself why.

Did you lack motivation? Didn’t you know exactly how to achieve that particular goal or didn’t you manage to get the right support?

I know how difficult it is to work on your goals especially if you don’t have someone to talk to or get help from, and that’s exactly why I suggest you find a mentor. It will be of great help if you lose motivation or if you need feedback.

It doesn’t have to be someone you hire, but someone you feel good with and who gives you the right guidance and support can also be your mentor.

10) Update your pet’s health info

For anyone with a four-legged family member, it’s important to make sure they have all their paperwork on hand and keep an eye on their medical appointments and vaccines.

For this, keep all your things in a file and divide them into envelopes by year, so as not to mix old documents with new ones.

Record all of his vet appointments in a calendar and don’t forget to get him checked up even if he is healthy and to start the anti-parasite spray on time.

11) Check your vehicle’s “health”

If you have a car or any type of vehicle, don’t forget to check all the essentials, such as the engine, check the oil, the wheels, and the car insurance and MOT.

We travel in our car every day, so it is super important to check if everything is working as it should.

Keep the documents inside the vehicle and don’t leave them at home, you always have them at hand in case of need.

12) Get a whole new haircut

A new year has just begun, and as they always say, new year new me.

You should not only make a change in your personal life, but your appearance also needs a change.

And what’s more fun than a new haircut?

A new haircut can work wonders. I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed it too, but a person can even look like a completely different person, just because of a different haircut.

13) Create a weekly meal plan with recipes

This point is a must prove that it will positively change your life,

Try giving meal planning a shot this year and see how it works for you.

Meal planning is a good way to save a lot of money and allows you to use the time you waste deciding what to cook, with something you could use to improve yourself.

Start drawing up a weekly meal plan and decide what to eat during the week.

Every time I go shopping, I always come back with something extra.
With this method, you shop once a week and avoid impulsive spending.

14) Do something that scares you

Was there ever something you wanted so much to do but always backed away from for fear of failing or getting hurt?

It may seem like a bad idea, but putting yourself out there and trying things that scare you is also a way to grow personally and it doesn’t always have a negative outcome.

Indeed, I believe that trying something that scares us is one of the best ways to experience this world and grow as a person.

15) Write a life-goal list

If you want to change your life, it’s not enough just to wish or dream about it.

The most important thing to do is to write down your goals and develop a plan around your goal to achieve them. This is definitely one of the smart things to do to start a new life for the better.

I highly recommend dividing your goals into monthly goals, so you can work little by little and not feel overwhelmed.

Trust me that dividing the work into steps helps you achieve it faster and make it achievable.

You can read these 30 monthly goal ideas to set for self improvement and improve yourself.

16) Create a morning and night routine

One of the things to have is a morning and night routine that can set you up for success.

Creating a morning and night routine that you can stick to allows you to dedicate time to yourself and organize your days to work on your goals.

Without a routine, you run the risk of getting lost in wondering what to do next, you won’t have enough energy and your productivity will never be at its peak.

Develop a morning and evening routine and you will find that ending and starting a day will be more relaxing.

17) Learn something new

Many feel ashamed and think they are too old to learn anything new.

Whether it’s learning an instrument, a sport, or a new language, remember that it’s never too late to learn something new.

Indeed, those who try to learn new things definitely have a better and happy life than those who do not go beyond their knowledge.

If you’re interested in learning something, go for it.

It’s the best way to boost your happiness, and confidence and keeps you alive.

18) Keep the right friends close

One of the smartest things to do if you want to start a new life for the better is to keep the right friends close.

The type of friendship circle you are part of affects your life and therefore it is super important to choose who to stay in touch with.

Unfortunately, it happens that you make friends with someone who turns out to be toxic and who makes us feel bad, in which case it is important to move away and not allow negative energy to affect you.

19) Plan a trip to a place you have always wanted to go

Is there a place you’ve always wanted to go to but never had the chance to? This year make it a reality.

Plan your dream trip and enjoy your holidays alone or with your loved ones.

A trip to the place of your dreams is what it takes to relax your mind and body and awaken that spirit of adventure you keep hidden.

20) Donate items you don’t use anymore

If you have extra things or things you no longer need, why not consider making a donation?

Whether it’s a family member or an unknown person, it doesn’t matter.

There are many organizations and people who need even basic items, and your donation could improve their lives.

21) Declutter your work desk space

I don’t know about you, but I’ve never had the desire or concentration to work at home if my work environment wasn’t nice and organized.

For maximum productivity, I can’t fail to mention the fact that having a clean and organized work desk can give a big boost to being productive.

Put away what you don’t need, change the light bulb, hang pictures with motivating phrases, and make your work desk a comfortable space that makes you want to sit down and work.

22) Create an environment fostering your success

By creating an environment that fosters your success I mean, choosing and promoting all those things that contribute to making you a better and more successful person.

Do this in all areas of your life, from personal to work.
If you notice something blocking you or making you feel bad, eliminate it, as well as accept all the positive things and experiences that can lead you to success, which could even mean stepping out of your comfort zone.

23) Prioritize your sleep

How are your sleep habits? Do you value your rest and do you get enough sleep?

To face a productive and successful day, it is essential that you also rest well and that you value your sleep.

Before going to sleep, stay away from your cell phone and engage in sleep-promoting activities, such as reading a book or taking a hot bath.

From now on, prioritize your sleep, because, without it, you won’t be able to face the day successfully.

24) Set up a dentist appointment

For good care of your oral hygiene, dentist appointments are a must.

I know people who are afraid of the dentist and avoid going there, but the result is disastrous.
Bad teeth, pain, and above all an unhealthy life.

Don’t believe anyone who tells you that teeth will fall out in old age, as even a simple infection can cause discomfort throughout the body.

This is one of the smart things to do to start a new healthy life, and a healthy smile is the best thing you can give yourself.

25) Create a workout plan

One of the smart things to do to start a new life for the better is to take care of yourself not only mentally, but also physically.

And to stay physically fit, it is essential that you practice sport, or simply exercise.

Bodyweight exercises are perfect for those who are starting out and have never played sports but also for those who prefer to use their own body weight.

You can practice yoga, pilates, or light aerobics.

Getting started is difficult, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes a healthy habit.

26) Reevaluate your debts and create a plan of action

A debt-free life is a peaceful life.
For a change in your life, it is essential that you also take care of your debts and create a plan to pay them off.

This means, keeping track of your expenses, keeping tabs on bill payments, don’t buy or subscribing to things you don’t need, and creating a budget for emergencies and savings.

27) Start a new hobby

As with learning new things, hobbies are also a fundamental thing that makes you feel alive.

Imagine being in a world where you always do the same things and you can’t express yourself the way you want.

Hobbies allow you to switch off from everyday commitments and dedicate yourself to your passion.

Finding yourself a hobby that you enjoy can literally change your life and make you more active and motivated.

28) Start with self-care

What does self-care mean to you?
Does this sound like something only some can practice or does it even seem selfish to think about yourself?

Whatever your thoughts, know that practicing self-care is a must for good physical and above all mental health.

And moreover, self-care doesn’t just mean taking a bath by candlelight or going to the spa every day.

Self-care is all those little things that, if practiced, make you feel good and contribute to your physical and mental well-being.

You can check out these 5-minute self-care activities if you run out of time and 29 Sunday self-care ideas to recharge yourself for an energized week.

Conclusion

This is it! These are the 28 smart things to do to start a new life for the better that you can start practicing too if you want to see a change.

I hope you find this post useful and if I forgot something, feel free to write it in the comments.

With love,