New Year Resolutions for Couples
At the beginning of each new year, we focus on self-improvement, whether by kicking off a gym membership, getting a library card, or starting a diet. However, developing a New Year’s resolution could become more of a team effort for people in relationships. Whether you’re tying the knot this year or celebrating a dating anniversary, setting new goals and good habits can help your partnership flourish.
Glacier West Self Storage has curated advice for couples on how to make a resolution for the new year, including realistic milestones and routines to set so you can make your relationship a priority.
Why Do People Make New Year’s Resolutions?
The close of each year prompts reflection on what went right and what could have been different over the previous 12 months. Maybe you spent too much money online shopping or didn’t use enough of your PTO to take time for yourself. The turning over of the calendar creates a “sense of renewal” psychological effect, wherein individuals review the things they want to change about their lives to improve their overall well-being.
If you’re in a partnership, maintaining harmony mandates working together. To have a healthy relationship, you and your partner need to set goals with each other to prioritize individual and joint growth. Read on for some of the most common New Year’s resolutions for couples.
Ask Each Other Questions for the New Year
Are you unsure where to start initiating growth and change this coming year? The following questions can serve as thought-starters to set you down the right path, helping you to pause and reflect mindfully on the last 365 days:
- What was the best thing that happened last year?
- What was the most challenging thing that happened last year?
- What three words would you use to describe your year?
- What three words would you use to describe your partner’s year?
- What did your daily routine look like?
- What was your biggest personal change over the year?
- What was the most important thing you learned?
- What is something you hope to learn?
- What are the strengths and growth areas in your partnership?
- How did you balance your spending and savings over the last year?
- What are you most grateful for?
Best New Year’s Resolutions for Couples Ideas
Develop a Budget
If you and your partner share a joint income, being on the same page about finances is pivotal to a happy, transparent relationship. Sitting down together to create a budget you both commit to sticking to is an excellent way to accomplish this. Below are some things to consider as you set your budget:
- Create mutual goals. Setting financial goals together can start at any time in your relationship. Focus on short-term plans like paying off loans before tackling long-term ones like saving for a vacation. List what matters most to both of you, set priorities, and save for shared goals like a renovation or a mortgage.
- Follow the 50-30-20 rule. Experts suggest the 50-30-20 rule to manage your budget. Spend 50% of your income on needs, 30% on wants, and save 20%. Plans don’t always go perfectly, and unexpected costs happen. A solid budget helps you stay ready for life’s surprises, whether they bring challenges or opportunities.
- Plan to talk finance frequently. Honesty is key in relationships, and talking openly about money is vital to a happy partnership. Financial discussions may feel tough initially, but transparency builds a strong bond. Focus on love and respect, and don’t let money issues overshadow what truly matters.
Declutter for the New Year
There’s nothing like a new year declutter to refresh your home and partnership. Research shows that life in a cluttered space can make you feel more stressed and distracted, and can also lead to less physical activity. Tidying up your home at the start of the year can boost your happiness, energy, and health, all essential to maintaining a happy relationship. Here are some tips for New Year’s deep cleaning:
- Set a day for a deep clean. Schedule a specific day at the beginning of the year to thoroughly clean your home together. Work in one room or area at a time, and break tasks into small, manageable steps to keep things simple. Try grouping items by type to make sorting easier.
- Make a donation bin. Go through your belongings and decide what to keep. Old clothes, unused decorations, or items you no longer use can be donated or recycled to free up space. Don’t forget to check your pantry and bathroom for expired items.
- Keep everything organized. Use bins, baskets, shelves, hooks, and over-the-door organizers to tidy your items while making your space look neat. For additional room, clean out storage areas like your garage or attic. If you still need extra space, consider renting a personal storage unit.
Create a Meal Planning System
Whether you and your significant other have the same taste or different diets, developing a cohesive meal plan can help you save money and space in the fridge while satisfying your stomachs. Read on for some basic tips to keep in mind when you meal plan:
- Focus on shared favorites. Discuss the main courses, sides, and ingredients you like and use them to plan meals you can enjoy together. Although you may still want to cook separate dinners occasionally, having a common baseline will create a strong foundation of food.
- Strategically shop. It’s easy to say you’ll both commit to eating healthy this year, but purchasing surplus produce doesn’t do anyone any good if it sits in the fruit basket until it goes bad, wasting money and space. Be realistic when writing out grocery lists, and avoid buying more than you need.
- Try something new. Cycling through the same five dinners can become mundane, so try some new recipes to reinvigorate your kitchen. If you don’t know where to start, a pre-planned meal subscription service can be a great asset!
Make Time for Each Other
After many years of partnership, you may find that routines and conversations are becoming more repetitive. This year, find new ways to shake things up and make time for your partner. Whether you use paid time off for a weekend getaway, surprise your spouse or partner with a date night, or even just set aside an hour to go for a walk together, quality time is paramount for maintaining a healthy relationship.
When planning activities to do together, think outside the box! Find a restaurant neither of you has tried. Pick up a new hobby for you to try out as a duo, or take an art class together to harness your creativity. Keeping things innovative and engaging is sure to add excitement to your lives.
Start the New Year Strong Together With Glacier West Self Storage
As your relationship grows, the space in your home will inevitably shrink. Streamline the decluttering process this New Year’s with the help of Glacier West Self Storage. We offer a variety of personal storage units, including heated storage, throughout Washington and Idaho to help you open your home up to new belongings and memories.
Contact us to discover your ideal storage unit, and find us at a Glacier West Self Storage facility near you today!