10 Things to Do to Start the New Year Right in 2022

By Mercy Hill

I can’t believe we are in 2022 already! How time flies! Everyone has had different experiences in 2021, some good, some bad. But despite these differences, as we ring in the New Year 2022, it will be a great opportunity for a fresh start and a new beginning for everyone. So, do you know what things to do to start the new year right in 2022?

If the past year was good for you, you should continue doing what worked well but incorporate some new things to make the new year even better than the previous one. However, if looking back at the past year, all you see are unaccomplished goals, missed opportunities, mistakes, and things you regret, the New Year 2022 will give you the chance to start over with a clean slate.

Since you want to have a different experience this time, you could be wondering what to do to start the new year right and on a positive note in 2022.

How you start the new year can set the tone for January and even the rest of the year. Hence, it is important to know how to begin the year the right way in 2022 by making positive changes in your life. In this article, we shall discuss some of the things to do to start the new year on the right foot.

Many people rush to take time off and start the holidays early, leaving incomplete tasks at work. They forget that these tasks will still be waiting for them when the holidays are over, and to make things worse, the work might pile up while they are on the Christmas break.

Nothing will dull your mood more when starting a new year than dealing with incomplete tasks, projects, and problems from the previous year. So, one of the best things to do to start the new year right in 2022 is to make sure you finish all incomplete tasks and projects from 2021 before going for the holidays.

If you have a heavy workload, it might be tiring to complete all your tasks on time, but it will all be worth it. When you return to work in January, you will have nothing from the previous year stressing you out.

1. Do a yearly review

What did you do well in 2021? What didn’t go as planned? What do you wish you could have done differently? If you want to know how to start off the new year right and positively in 2022, you have to review the events from the past year.

Doing a yearly review will help you learn what works well for you, your achievements, the mistakes you made, and the changes you need to make to improve your life and achieve your goals.

Remember to celebrate and reward yourself for your achievements from the previous year, no matter how small they may be, and learn from your mistakes and failures.

2. Make New Year’s resolutions

Every New Year’s Day, millions of people around the world make New Year’s resolutions, but only a small percentage of them stick to what they resolved to do. The reason for failed resolutions could be factors beyond your control, such as what happened in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, but other times, it could be on you.

Do it differently this year and include making and sticking to your resolutions in your list of things to do to start the new year right in 2022. Set SMART goals and work hard towards achieving them this new year.

Some New Year’s resolution ideas for 2022 include; becoming more organized, strengthening your relationships with others, getting rid of bad habits, adopting a healthier lifestyle, saving more money, focusing on your passion, cutting off toxic people, starting a new hobby, investing in yourself, protecting your mental health, quitting an unfulfilling job, etc.

3. Create a vision board

After making your New Year’s resolutions and setting goals, the next step is to find ways to achieve them. Therefore, one of the best things to do to start the new year right in 2022 is to make a yearly vision board to help you manifest the life you want.

Create a collage and arrange your goals on the vision board depending on their urgency and importance.

When done, place your vision board where you will see it often to remind yourself of your goals in order to stay focused and motivated to achieve them at all times.

4. Clean, Declutter and be more organized

Whether at home or the office, don’t allow the mess from the previous year to carry over into the new year. Staying in an untidy and cluttered space can affect your mental health and productivity. Therefore, you should include cleaning and decluttering your workplace and living space in your list of things to do to start off the new year right in 2022.

Start early and use the downtime you have during the holidays to clean and sort your things out before the New Year 2022 begins.

Organize and put aside the items to keep, then donate, resell, or get rid of stuff you no longer need. Having a clean, decluttered, and organized space will lead to better relaxation at home and improved productivity.

5. Get your finances in order

Many people overspend their money on gifts, vacations, and other things during the festive season and end up broke when the new year begins. Although getting your finances in order can seem like a difficult task and a boring way to spend your time, it is one of the best things to do to start the new year right in 2022.

So, as the New Year 2022 begins, get your credit report and find ways to reduce any debts you might have, pay your bills, analyze your spending habits, set financial goals, create a budget, create an automatic savings plan, and make a will.

6. Rest

Even though most people take time off work for the holidays, the festive season can be stressful, tiring, and overwhelming for many due to all the activities with family and friends. The period between Christmas and New Year’s Day passes in a blur, and before you know it, it is already January and you feel exhausted.

Finding ways to relax and rest to avoid holiday season burnout and fatigue are some things to do to start the new year right in 2022. When the new year begins, you will feel relaxed, recharged, and ready to resume your duties.

7. Start a new routine

Though routines are good for us, they can get old and boring, especially if you have had the same one for a long time. They could feel like a chore, and you might start to not look forward to the things you loved doing.

According to studies, boredom could lead to bad behavior and mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress. So, if your current daily routine has become dull and boring, one of the best things to do to start the new year right in 2022 and reignite your life is to create a new routine that brings you joy.

You don’t even have to change the things you usually do. Instead, you can do them differently or switch up the order of activities in your routine this year. However, if the activities in your current one no longer excite or inspire you, consider starting a new routine with different ones entirely. Whichever way you choose, get a digital planner to help manage and schedule the activities and thus, increase your chances of succeeding at sticking to your new routine in 2022.

8. Give yourself a another look

Just like your routine, you are probably dissatisfied with your look, or you don’t want to go back to work with the same style from the previous year. When thinking of how to start off the new year right in 2022, add making yourself a priority and giving yourself a makeover to your list of things to do.

Get a manicure and pedicure, buy yourself new clothes and shoes, get a new hairstyle, try different makeup looks, hydrate your skin, and read self-improvement materials. The goal for giving yourself a makeover is to feel and look your best in the New Year 2022.

9. Forgive yourself and others

You need to leave the bad things that happened in 2021 in 2021! Blaming yourself or other people for what happened to you in the past can hold you back from starting the new year positively. What you might not realize is that by holding a grudge against someone or blaming yourself, you hurt yourself the most and hinder your personal growth.

One of the best things to do to start the new year right in 2022 is to let go of the past, forgive yourself for your mistakes, and forgive those who have wronged you. If you are obsessing or blaming yourself for things you did in the past year, this New Year 2022, you have to realize that you still have time to rectify or make up for them. The new year is an opportunity to start with a clean slate and make better choices.

10. Wrapping up

What should I do to start the new year right? If you were asking yourself this question, you now know what to do to start the new year right and on a positive note in 2022. Since 2022 is here, it will be great for you to prepare for the new year well. Use this opportunity to make positive changes in your life by doing the above things, and you will have a Happy New Year 2022.

Above all pray and be thankful to God at all times.