New year, new me… that’s how the expression goes, right? But, who wants to go through the effort of crafting a whole new you – sounds exhausting. Rather, start your year by making exciting tweaks to an otherwise already fantastic life. How you start your year has the potential to set the tone for the rest of your year to follow. So, logically, a strong start can only mean an amazing year.

Go on an epic hike
Crushing a goal at the start of the year is huge. Look into a local hike that might be a little out of your league, prep yourself and just do it. Don’t wait until you think you need to be in better shape, it’s easy to find reasons not to do something why not take the leap and do the hike now?

See the sunrise
Making an effort to see the sunrise isn’t as difficult as you might think. You don’t need to view it from a mountain top or from the tallest building in your town. Scout out an easy location and make a plan to watch the sun come up. Accompany it with your morning coffee or tea to enrich the experience. On the flip side, pull an all-nighter and end it with seeing the sun come up – now that’s an end to a night.

Tell that special someone how you feel
Whether it be a close friend or a romantic interest you have extra special feelings for, tell them how you feel! Everyone loves to feel loved, start your year with confidence by spreading some love around.

Go social media free
Hear me out! Remember what the days were like before social media? Yeah me neither. But take some time to find out. Take a social detox for a bit; a day, a week, a month, whatever. Get connected to the world in a new way and then return to social media rejuvenated.

Do a 30 day challenge
Think of something in your life that you could really do without, something that isn’t providing anything positive to your life. Now eliminate it from your world for 30 days. This of course will take effort but could deem beneficial in the long run.

Write a letter
Buy the 10 cent stamp, find an envelope, sit down and write a letter. It can be to anyone – as long as it’s a positive letter. Think of the friends you have living in a different part of the country, or the family out of town, or the person you have feelings for down the road. Sitting down to write to someone is special and a guaranteed way to make their day. Plus its fun getting surprise mail.

Start a new hobby
Is there something you have always wanted to try, but just kept finding reasons not to? Do it! There is no time like the present. Maybe it’s kick boxing, or dance classes, or pottery or making your own wine, whatever the interest now is the time to take the steps into making it happen. New year, new skills for you.

Do something that scares you
Something that is easier said than done, but I strongly believe in scaring yourself. If you are shy, take a theatre class. If you are afraid of heights, go bungee jumping or ride a roller-coaster. By challenging yourself in a way that terrifies you only helps you grow as a person. By starting off your year by dominating your fears, by diving outside of your comfort zone, well, it can only go up from there.

Plan a solo trip
You might be in a long term relationship, or a happy singleton, whatever the case think of somewhere you’ve always wanted to go and make it happen. You are in charge of your year, might as well make it the best one. This is a great way to meet new people, claim your independence, see the world and feel great while doing it.

Do the polar bear swim
Talk about a rush! And the best part, the hot chocolate you should definitely be treating yourself to right after.