Self

12 New Year's Resolutions For Anyone Who's Single

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single woman on new years eve

As corny as it may sound, a new year offers us all the opportunity to make positive changes in our lives.

For many, it somehow feels easier to make a fresh start on January 1 than it does on any other day of the year. It can feel good to let go of old behaviors and begin doing things in way that will be more beneficial to you.

If you’re single and feeling the New Year spirit urging you to do things differently in your romantic life, you're probably already thinking about which New Year's resolutions you can make to set yourself on a more meaningful path in 2021.

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Make this the year you stop wondering when you're going to meet that special someone and start doing things that make you happier and more fulfilled as you are. If you happen to come across the person of your dreams along the way? Hey, no complaining on that front! But making sure whoever enters your life is only value added starts with getting more in touch with what you value in your life overall.

Here are 12 New Years resolutions for singles to consider making on January 1, 2021 to help you on that path.

1. I will stop searching for someone everywhere I go.

If you spend more time scoping out potential dates than you do enjoying whatever it is you set out to do, this can be the year that you stop needlessly stressing yourself out instead of enjoying the moment at hand.

Putting all of your efforts into searching for a soulmate will never make you happier. It's just going to bring you down, and probably drive you mad.

2. I will say yes more.

I'm not saying you should throw away all of your dating standards and give every single person who shows an interest in you a chance. Boundaries are important, and knowing what you want is essential to any healthy relationship.

That being said, you can work on opening your mind up a bit to people you may typically turn down instead of continuing to date people who check off all of the same boxes of the exes you've been with before. They are your exes for a reason, and probably a good one.

3. I will let go of the past once and for all.

If you've been holding onto pain and resentment from prior breakups or an attachment to a toxic ex, make this the year that you let them go.

There's no benefit to carrying around feelings that don't serve you. Holding onto the past only makes it harder to move forward with your life.

Do whatever you need to do to get closure, whether it's writing them a letter and never mailing it (or mailing it if you decide that's the way you want to go) or deleting them from your social media, you'll soon feel the weight of those heavy emotions lift right off your shoulders.

4. I will make new friends.

You're single, which means you have the luxury and freedom to do whatever you want without anyone holding you back. Take advantage of this by making new friends with all different kinds of people.

New friends will introduce you to other new people, along with new situations and experiences. All of that is exciting!

You also may want to get closer to your single friends rather than your friends who are in serious relationships. You shouldn’t cut these people out of your life by any means, but being around other singles may make you feel less alone and more understood.

5. I will focus on bettering myself for my own sake, and for no one else.

If you want to lose weight, do it because that’s what you want to, not because you think it will get people to like you more. If you want to learn a new hobby, learn something that authentically interests you, not something you think will get you attention.

Do some things that are purely for yourself and for the benefit of no one else. It's more than OK to be a little selfish here! Sometimes that's necessary.

6. I will try new things more often.

Part of bettering yourself is introducing yourself to new experiences. Remember how I said you should start saying yes more to life in general? This is what I meant.

Make this the year you do things you never thought you would do before. Do things even if you're unsure of whether you'll like them or not, because you just might surprise yourself.

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7. I will stop being afraid to do things alone.

Too many women are scared to venture out into the world and do things on their own without a boyfriend or friend by their side. Cheesy as it may sound, this year is a great time to start "dating yourself."

There's nothing wrong with going anywhere or doing anything alone.

8. I will stop holding onto things that aren't working.

Make this the year you stop trying to make things happen, even when it's obvious that they're not meant to be.

If you've been seeing someone who won't commit, let them go. If you've been trying to make things work with an ex and the same unhealthy pattern keeps repeating itself, move on.

This doesn't apply only to romantic relationships; if you have toxic friends or family members in your life, you don't need to keep them around either. Surround yourself with people who truly make you happy and have your best interests at heart.

9. I will stop comparing myself to others.

When you're single, it can be easy to look at other people's lives and feel sorry for yourself. Make an effort not to do this in the new year.

Everything looks different from the outside. Comparing what you have to what you think others have is never realistic or helpful.

10. I won't let anyone bring me down.

This is the year that you're going to be totally confident in yourself. Tell yourself that — and then fake it until you make it.

Other people may to try to bring you down at times, even if they don't realize that's what they're doing. When that happens, remind yourself that you are an awesome, independent person who is doing their best in every moment, which is all anyone can ever really do. That may sound silly, but it's true!

11. I will improve my bedroom skills.

No, I'm not talking about focusing on how you can please others more, although, if you want to do that too, go for it.

I'm talking about self-love sessions. Being single doesn’t mean you can't have fun learning more about what makes your body sing. Practice makes perfect!

12. I will be more honest with myself and with others.

Communication is necessary in order to get what you want from yourself and from others. Take this time to learn how to be honest about what you truly want and need.

If you go on a date and you're not feeling it, tell the person exactly that instead of making excuses not to see them again or ghosting them. If the way things are going in a new relationship starts hurting you, don't feel like you can’t say anything because you don't want to go back to being alone. Let it out!

In the end, asserting your boundaries and knowing what is and is not right for you will make you a more fulfilled person overall.

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Jessica Booth is a writer who focuses on relationships, self-love, and celebrity news.