36 ways to change your life for the better

Flickr / Jeroen Werkman

I don't really believe in making New Year's resolutions.

Most of the time you don't end up keeping them, and then you just feel worse because you committed to something and didn't follow through with it.

Resolutions shouldn't necessarily be things to stop doing or to get rid of, but instead they should be about embracing a different mindset.

If part of getting happier for you does mean dropping some bad habits — great.

But the real key to making your life amazing this year is to find what makes you happy and do whatever it takes to get it and keep it.

Here are some ways to make this the best year of your whole life.

1. Do something that scares the s--- out of you.
2. Spend time with people who make your life better.
3. Let yourself sleep in sometimes.
4. Take a day off just because you want to.
5. Clean everything in your house.
6. Pick up a new hobby that makes you happy.
7. Perform random acts of kindness for people.
8. Don't bring work home with you.
9. Read a book that will change your life.
10. Give people the benefit of the doubt.
11. Eat healthy (mostly).
12. Don't dwell on things you can't change.
13. Travel somewhere you've never been.
14. Do something that makes you feel accomplished.
15. Get rid of things (and people!) you don't need.
16. Quit a job you hate.
17. Do something — big or small — that you're really proud of.
18. Find a productive way to channel your stress.
19. Don't take everything too seriously.
20. Find a type of exercise you love, and do it as often as you can.
21. Make time just for yourself.
22. Eat something you've never tried.
23. Let yourself get SUPER excited about an event, a new book or movie, a trip, or anything else you love.
24. Finish something you started.
25. Work toward reaching a career goal you've set your mind to.
26. Forgive someone.
27. Check a few more things off your bucket list.
28. Take a class about something you're really interested in.
29. Get obsessed with a new TV series.
30. Explore new places in your own city.
31. Make an effort to stay in touch with friends and family.
32. Start or add to a savings account.
33. Adopt an animal.
34. Treat yourself to something you've been wanting forever.
35. Volunteer for a cause you're passionate about.
36. Decide what you want, and go get it.

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