As the calendar turns its pages to a new year, it's not just a change in dates but an opportunity for personal reinvention. New Year's resolutions are more than just goals; they are promises to yourself. In 2024, let's embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth that will make you shine from within. Here are some resolutions to illuminate your path to becoming the better version of yourself.

Numero Uno

One of the most important aspects in 2024 is to make sure you are prioritizing yourself. Whether that be your mental health or physical well-being, taking time to relax, reset, and rest is crucial. On the flip side, living a healthy and balanced active lifestyle is a great start to taking on the New Year. Try cooking up a new recipe with balanced protein or looking up cardio and aerobic exercise videos on YouTube that you can do right in the coziness of your own home. Many local fitness centers and gyms have sign up deals when the new year begins. Just a few local options to name include Happy Dog Yoga, Livewell Pilates Studio, and the Blue Water YMCA. Workout classes such as spin, pilates, and yoga are a great way to meet others with similar interests and hobbies, so take advantage of those sign up sales and do something that will make you feel good, confident, and positive about yourself! 

Learn & Grow

Go screen free and try limiting technology and stepping away from your phone. Avoid the winter blues by trying something new to nourish your mind. Busy hands, peaceful heart! With spring only a few months away, consider getting tools,  pots, and seeds ready for the oncoming gardening season at MIgardener. Other new and fresh ideas we suggest are trying a pottery class at the Foundry, crafting, knitting, or painting with A Little Hobby Ceramics Studio, or the Craft Loft. Starting a new novel or journaling before bedtime to help  unwind. By shutting your phone down, you’re bound to be more productive and in turn have more time to do things you enjoy.

Out And About

A resolution that most Michiganders have on their list includes traveling. In January, with the occasional snow fall, a fun day outdoors at Pine Knob Ski and Snowboard Resort is a blast, shredding the slopes or learning how to ski and snowboard for the very first time. St Clair County is home to numerous local cities with wonderful small businesses to support ranging from retail, homegoods, bakeries, a new winery, and numerous restaurants. A day trip to downtown Detroit is always an adventure! Take in a Red Wings hockey game, visit the DIA, and check out a new restaurant like Le Suprême, located in the historic Book Tower. Whether it be to a small destination nearby, or a longer trip out of state, traveling lets you experience new things and make long lasting memories.  

Nurture Your Support System 

Spending more time with supportive family, friends, and loved ones is also a heartfelt resolution to have. Sometimes, life gets in the way and gets crazy busy, but having a support system or somebody in your life that supports you and that you can talk and laugh with is crucial. Maintaining your connections with those important people in your life by sending them a quick message isn’t time consuming, but very worthwhile. On the same token, don’t be afraid to take time for yourself and set boundaries with others. 2024 is all about spending time with your close knit circle and enjoying your own peace as well.

Engage In Your Community

Lastly, get involved in the local community. Volunteer your time to a cause you care about and donate to those who need it. There are numerous places to volunteer in St. Clair County. Some of which include Blue Water Habitat for Humanity, Blue Water Community Action Agency, Blue Water Safe Horizons, and the Blue Water Area Humane Society. Donation Centers like Goodwill, Salvation Army, and St. Vincent De Paul are always looking for donations. Creating positive change, addressing local needs, and building connections that transcend social boundaries are a wonderful way to lay the foundation for a society where collective efforts propel everyone toward a more inclusive future. 

Overall, make the New Year about you! It’s not about changing who you are but about unlocking the potential that already exists within you. Each step forward is a celebration of your unique brilliance. The world deserves to see the best version of you.