Who doesn’t love the energy of a new year? Every day is a chance for a new start, and I love the collective excitement of a clean slate. Through a lot of trial and error, I’ve learned to detox, cleanse, and ditch restrictive habits in favor of a more sustainable and frankly inspiring approach. After all, who wants to spend energy on something that doesn’t make them feel good? So, I planned my bucket list for this January with that intention in mind.
Flipping the calendar won’t erase the challenges we have for 2025, but there’s something about the new year that makes us feel. feel It’s hopeful and refreshing. If you’re ready to get over the post-holiday doldrums and embrace a new beginning, you’ve come to the right place. Enter your January bucket list.
Featured image of Michelle Nash’s interview with Mary Ralph Bradley.
January bucket list for a fresh start
While previous New Years have been all about goal-setting, travel planning, calendar scheduling, and socializing, this time we’re keeping things simple. As we enter a new year, I’m focusing on what really matters and what makes me feel most alive. Whether it’s stepping up your self-care routine, discovering new music, binge-watching a new series, or connecting with others, there are many ways to awaken the joy within you every day. Scroll through to see my January bucket list. Packed with ideas to inspire, energize, and prepare you for whatever 2025 brings.
No matter what happens, January is a time to regroup, set intentions, and find inspiration for the year ahead.
31 ideas to add to your January bucket list
1. Create a vision board. Are you ready to live a happier and healthier year ahead? A vision board is the best way to make that happen. Check out Camille’s guide to vision boards. (And grab yours vision board kit!)
2. Try the best non-alcoholic drinks. Whether you’re running Dry January or going all-in on sober curiosity, give these delicious and festive zero-proof drinks a try.
3. Find your new favorite workout. No, you don’t have to join a gym or sign up for a cycling membership just because it’s January. But if you want to find new ways to have fun and move your body, we’re here to help. Have you discovered the simple pleasures of walking? Did you know how good it feels to stretch before you go to bed? Can you commit to a simple Pilates routine before you get to work? Think about what feels good for you, go about your life, and follow that cue.
4. Cook your favorite soup the way you like it. We’ve put together the best soup recipes for your comfort.
5. Declutter your digital space. This needs to be on your January bucket list. It’s hard to get back to work with a clear head if your desktop is full of junk. Erase old downloads, remove unused apps, and remove unnecessary files so you can start fresh.
6. Send a handwritten card. There’s nothing more satisfying than writing or receiving a handwritten message. Long, emotional letters are nice to open, but it’s just as nice to receive a simple, sweet card.
7. Start your spring cleaning early. Sure, March and April may signal a natural desire to declutter your home, but there’s never been a better time to start the process. Check out our tips for a fresh start during your favorite time of the year.
8. Review your wardrobe. Are there any items you no longer wear since 2020? Is there anything you’ve grown that you’re hiding so you don’t feel embarrassed? It’s time to deliver those pieces to their new home. Just like Marie Kondo, take everything out of your closet and evaluate each piece of clothing. If it doesn’t bring you joy, let it go. Here’s everything you need to know about cleaning your closet.
9. Get back to a healthy diet. From smoothies to soups to veggie-filled bowls, balance out your holiday indulgences with one of these delicious recipes.
10. Buy yourself flowers. Because you always have the right to receive something beautiful just for you.
11. Join a book club. After moving to a new city, I immediately joined a book club. It was a great way to keep my reading list fresh and make new like-minded friends.
12. Rethink your morning routine. The start of a new year is the perfect time to think about the changes and additions you need to your daily life. Take some time to review your rituals. Are the habits you built early in the morning still useful? Is there something missing? Get inspired by our morning routine ideas.
13. Rediscover your love for smoothies. Smoothies aren’t just a summer staple. It also provides an easy, delicious, and aesthetically pleasing way to consume vegetables, fruits, and greens. Get inspired with the tastiest smoothies perfect for a winter weekday breakfast.
14. Learn something new. I think this is something I should do every month throughout the year. Pick something and do your best! You can look up books on the subject at your local library, subscribe to or listen to related podcasts all movie. There’s nothing better than becoming an expert to expand your worldview.
15. Create a regular catch-up routine. Make a habit of weekly or monthly phone calls with people you want to send love to on a regular basis, such as college friends, parents, siblings, and grandparents.
16. Subscribe to a few of your favorite magazines. One day every month, my friends and I celebrate “Magazine Day.” This is the day you receive all the magazines you subscribe to. Authentic simplicity, better home and garden, good housekeeping…Please believe me. A perfect way to spend a completely analog evening.
17. Delete the project from the list forever. you know it. Spend a day putting it together. I feel so much better after it’s over.
18. Create reading goals. I love making lists of books I want to read this year. It’s a great motivator to continue my favorite habits.
19. Plan a girls’ night out. Brainstorm at night when you get together with friends. These girls’ night out ideas are much better than going to a bar.
20. Make some DIY winter decorations. When your Christmas tree falls down, you may feel like you don’t need to decorate it. Wrong! Tape up paper snowflakes to keep things green and light some cozy candles.
21. Make your favorite hot drink. There’s more to life than black coffee. Golden milk, chai, matcha, hot chocolate…the list is endless.
22. Take a long walk around your city. What’s the easiest way to see your city with fresh eyes? Pack your bags and hit the road, with no destination in mind. You will be amazed at everything you will discover.
23. Make a list of acts of kindness you want to try each week. Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to spread more good vibes? This list of random acts of kindness is the easiest way to make it happen.
24. Learn new hand lettering techniques. Whether you want to design a seasonal chalkboard at home, send an artistically impressive letter, or just want to enjoy your own creativity, get started with this. Hand lettering guide.
25. Have a board game night. Is there a more cozy way to spend the night with friends? Gather your loved ones together, enjoy a little healthy competition, and check out our recs for the best games on game night.
26. Create a daily list diary. It’s a space to list everything you’re grateful for, things you want to do this month (in small chunks), movies you want to see, and more.
27. Make homemade bread. Quick breads, focaccia, sourdough, everything counts.
28. Practice better sleep hygiene. If you haven’t already, now is the time to start working on getting more restful nights. Learn everything you need to know to get the perfect night’s sleep.
29. Dive into all manifestations. Ready to create the life you can’t stop dreaming of? Check out our guide to manifesting.
30. Find out what you love about winter. Once the holidays are over, it can be difficult to survive the cold season. Make a list of all the things you love about this season. Feeling comfortable? What about hot drinks? Immerse yourself in something you love all winter long.
31. Start making Valentine’s Day cards. Romantic love may be at the heart of the holiday, but don’t be the first to say it’s okay to celebrate all the love in your life on February 14th. Create, write out, and address your own V-Day notes just like you would if you were making a holiday card. This is one of my favorite ways to let the people in my life know they are loved.
Source: Camille Styles – camillestyles.com
