9 Simple Ways to Make Positive Changes in the New Year

If "I'll do it tomorrow" is your DIY mantra, that may be why those prints never get hung and the drawer on your dressing table still doesn't have a handle. Tackle the thing that bugs you in January. It'll bring you instant good vibes and peace of mind. There's no need to tackle everything in the first few weeks of the year, pick a single task to tackle each month and you'll feel super productive without losing your entire weekend.

The best thing about this little change? You can do it in front of the TV with a hot chocolate in hand. Cut the people on Facebook who upset you, unfollow the Instagram accounts that don't make you feel fantastic, delete all your unread emails (if you didn't get to them last year, you're never going to), mute those annoying people on Twitter. Mute that hashtag that drives you crazy! While you're on a roll, delete any apps on your phone that you don't use, and give your computer desktop a bit of a tidy up.

You don't have to set New Year's resolutions, they're always about things you shouldn't do or have to cut out of your life. Instead, make a short list of things you'd love to do. It could be seeing a far-flung friend, it could be going for a promotion. Then next to each of them, write a short task to reach your goal. Skype your pal if you haven't spoken in a while, spruce up your résume. Break down your goals into little tasks and they'll feel much more manageable.

Never cooked a sweet potato? Curious about celery root? Maybe you've always wondered about star anise. If you've been in a bit of a cooking rut and just grab peppers and tomatoes when you're shopping, now's the time to eat more greens, try new spices and get more adventurous with cooking.

It's easy to say we'll read more, but it's a lot harder in practice when we're so busy. If you don't commute to work on public transport, you'll struggle even more to grab some time. So take matters into your own hands and take a book to that cafe by your office that always looks nice. If you can't sneak in after work, grab a solo lunch and get into that lovely book you got from the best books of the year list (leave your phone on your desk). Remember, once you've got the reading bug back, it's hard to stop.

It's always easier to cancel plans when they're vague. We feel guilty about it, but a "so sorry, let's catch up soon!" text is easy to fire off after a long week and then before we know it, six months have passed. Invite your friends over for dinner instead, you're far more likely to stick to plans if they're low key. Best of all, you're totally allowed to order takeout and polish off a bottle of wine.

Real talk: while we're keen not to make a list of impossible resolutions, but we are keen on taking control of our lives — and that means tackling the tricky things. Self-care isn't always about bubble baths, it's also about stopping niggling anxieties. It's not fun, but the effects are quick and pretty dramatic. Call your bank to sort that savings account. Research new energy providers. Book that smear test or dentist appointment. Clean out the messy pile of papers. Reward yourself afterwards; you've earned it.

It's easy to get caught up in the January excitement of Doing All the Things. Everyone you know has a side hustle, a YouTube channel, a successful business, a bestselling novel. You know what? They're all lovely, but bubble baths are also really nice. Take a bubble bath. You can write the novel in your snuggly pajamas afterwards.

Do you have one thing you'd secretly like to do? Whether it's a city you'd like to visit or a skill you'd like to try, January is the perfect time to do it. Book that train ticket (or flight!), sign up for a taster class. The best changes you can make in the New Year are to jump at the opportunity to try something new that really excites you.