New Year’s Resolutions that look outward

Every January, we’re surrounded by familiar resolutions like losing weight, drinking less alcohol, doing a digital detox and so on. Although self-care matters, these types of goals tend to fade away and be forgotten after a few weeks, often leaving us feeling a bit flat or guilty.

What if this year, our resolutions focused on the outside world instead?

Resolutions focused on the community help build stronger neighbourhoods, bring people together and remind us that progress isn’t always about numbers or before-and-after photos. Meaningful New Year’s resolutions that support others tend to last longer and have a greater impact and can give us a real sense of purpose and achievement.

Use your talents to make a difference

Ask yourself: What skills or qualities do I have that could help others? Maybe you’re good at DIY and could help nonprofits repair or extend community buildings or have a head for numbers and can support a community-based business with budgeting. Perhaps you’re great at motivating and engaging people into action or creating eye-catching campaign flyers. Besides skills, personality traits such as good listening, reliability, and a positive problem-solving attitude can go a long way towards supporting change and campaigns.

Commit to becoming a regular volunteer

Set a concrete, realistic goal, whether that’s volunteering weekly, monthly or quarterly – consistency counts. Making small, regular acts of service part of your routine can make a lasting difference.

With ongoing support, organisations can plan and deliver long-term change. A lot can be achieved in a short space of time when people come together. Imagine how much litter could be picked up in a couple of hours, improving a local growing space for everyone, or how many great ideas could be shared for a campaign in an hour’s brainstorming.

Support local causes and small charities

Not everyone has the time to volunteer, but we can all find a way to contribute. Consider donating a small monthly amount to a local charity, shopping at local or community-run businesses, attending fundraisers or events hosted by local organisations or eating at a family-run restaurant. By supporting local initiatives, you’re making a real difference in your own community, where you can see the positive effects of your efforts.

look close to home at the people around you

Helping your community doesn’t have to be formal. Sometimes it’s about everyday interactions and small acts of care. Checking in on an elderly neighbour, listening to someone who’s having a hard time or watering a neighbour’s garden while they’re away or feeding their cat. Positivity and kindness have the power to change people’s lives and strengthen social connections, acting as a ‘glue’ that binds communities together.

Support issues that matter to your neighbourhood

What specific issues impact your community? Your voice is important. Staying informed and actively participating in local issues can be powerful; backing campaigns or advocating for changes in our local areas helps build resilience, promote change, and gives us a sense of purpose and shared progress. Not all change may benefit us directly, but it could transform the lives of our neighbours.

Strengthening the places where we live, supporting our neighbours and helping to make the world around us a little better can have far-reaching and meaningful effects that go far beyond our expectations.

Learn more about organisations in your community that are making Bristol’s food system better for communities, climate and nature.

Nicola Deschamps is a registered nutritionist (ANutr), author and editor: targeteditorial.co.uk.

Photos by Nicola Deschamps and from Pixabay.