25 New Year Goals to Improve Your Aura in 2025
New Year goals don’t have to be major to merit aura points. Try these 25 acts of self-improvement for a better you in 2025.
1. Set Boundaries>
2. Practice Gratitude>
3. Drink More Water>
4. Exercise for Health>
5. Get to Know Your Skin>
6. Embrace Change>
7. Learn a New Tech Skill>
8. Decorate Your Home>
9. Let Go of Regrets and Grudges>
10. Be Mindful on Social Media>
11. Make More Eye Contact>
12. Take Charge of Your Finances>
13. Improve Your Speech>
14. Learn a New Language>
15. Celebrate Your Friends>
16. Wear Clothes You Love>
17. Use Your Special Plates>
18. Read One Book a Month>
19. Practice Humility>
20. Do “High-Maintenance” Things>
21. Create a Vision Board>
22. Set Achievable Career Goals>
23. Find a “Third Place”>
24. Collect Meaningful Art >
25. Take That Big Leap>
A new year comes with the nagging pressure to make major changes. But even small, simple New Year goals can make a big difference in your “aura,” also known as your overall cool factor, as defined by Gen Z. Not that that’s all you should be after.
Positive qualities like self-awareness, humility, discipline, and self-love all contribute to your aura. Yes, they make you infinitely cooler, but more importantly, they boost your confidence and sense of empowerment. Working towards the following achievable goals can help you attain these aura-enhancing attributes.
1. Set Boundaries
Setting boundaries can contribute to self-improvement. The simple act of saying “no” can build confidence and self-esteem by showing you the value of your time and your agency over it. When you feel overwhelmed, politely decline any more social invitations. At work, be clear about your limitations.
2. Practice Gratitude
Start your day by making a list (mental or written) of things you are thankful for. Doing so will remind you of what you have and help you appreciate them more. For example, if you’re dreading having to do so much work for the week, consciously shift your focus toward how hard you’ve worked on getting clients and how lucky you are to have them!
3. Drink More Water
Hydration doesn’t just keep the skin soft and supple; it also supports your health as you age. According to the National Council of Aging (USA), drinking enough water can help with brain performance, improve digestion, boost energy, decrease joint pain, and maintain heart health.
4. Exercise for Health
Social media fitness gurus may motivate you to exercise so you can look like them, but striving for aesthetic gains rather than long-term benefits doesn’t do you much good. This year, focus on exercising for health, such as improving strength, mobility, endurance, and cardiovascular health. Consider getting a professional trainer for a personalized workout plan.
5. Get to Know Your Skin
Overconsumption of beauty products can be bad for your skin. This year, make it your mission to use only what your skin needs. To nourish dry and rough skin, try Dove Cloud Self-Foaming Body Wash Ultra Moisture with Triple Ceramides. It has 50% Skin Care Serum and ceramides for soft skin in seven days. For brightening, use Dove Cloud Self-Foaming Body Wash Radiant Glow with Niacinamide, which has 10x niacinamide to help improve skin tone.
6. Embrace Change
Being stuck with old habits that no longer work can definitely dull your aura. If you really want to shine, examine the major changes taking place in your life and ask yourself, “Am I reacting to these changes in a productive way?”
7. Learn a New Tech Skill
Being old school is cool, but so is being abreast with technology. They’re not mutually exclusive! If you’re wondering how to improve yourself, consider taking up a new tech skill. It doesn’t have to be related to your job – anything that interests you and motivates you to learn will do.
8. Decorate Your Home
Make it a point to update your home décor and styling occasionally. Change it up with the seasons, to suit your mood, or even for special occasions. This is especially helpful if you spend most of your time at home.
9. Let Go of Regrets and Grudges
“Holding a grudge is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die,” so the old saying goes. Pretty grim, but true. Grudges weigh us down and affect our mental health, relationships, and overall personality. Add this to your New Year goals ASAP.
10. Be Mindful on Social Media
Being “patola” on social media? Not very mindful, not very demure. Airing out your dirty laundry or ranting about every little inconvenience? That’ll get you negative aura points. This year, try to be more discerning about what you share and consume on your favorite platforms, maybe even unplug once in a while. It’s good for you!
11. Make More Eye Contact
Making more eye contact will instantly boost your aura. When you meet someone new, really look at them and be interested. When you’re presenting at work, find your “anchors” in the room and make eye contact with them as you talk. Of course, don’t overdo it. Save the googly eyes for your partner.
12. Take Charge of Your Finances
You know what increases self-confidence? Having all your financial ducks in a row. This can give anyone a sense of order and calm. Hence, it’s one of the most satisfying chores to cross out on a to-do list. To avoid feeling overwhelmed (because it can be a lot), start with a small, specific task like checking your banking apps for password hygiene.
13. Improve Your Speech
If you’re looking for oddly specific New Year goals, here’s one of them. Maybe you have a bit of a drawl, or your braces are affecting how you pronounce words. These are minor issues that are easily reparable with practice. Check out apps like Articulation Station for guidance and structured exercises.
14. Learn a New Language
The world has gotten so connected that wanting to communicate in other languages just makes sense. Start with a language that people in your circle commonly use, or just pick something completely impractical but fun. Whatever keeps you motivated to learn.
15. Celebrate Your Friends
Adult friendships are so precious and rare and, yes, they take a lot of effort. Add this to your New Year goals if your friend circle has been dwindling. Tell your friends you appreciate them through messages, in-person hangouts, or hour-long voice notes. Be their No. 1 cheerleader. These little gestures count!
16. Wear Clothes You Love
Every new year is a chance to be more unapologetically yourself, and being true to your personal style is a good way to start. Wearing clothes you love puts you in a good mood and may even motivate you to pursue your goals. So, go ahead and wear cute workout clothes. Rock ankle socks if you want to embrace your millennial spirit. Just do you.
17. Use Your Special Plates
Use the good plates. Drink from your fanciest wine glass. Wear that utterly impractical yet fabulous going-out top. Apply the expensive body oil. Stop waiting for a special occasion – that occasion is now.
18. Read One Book a Month
This may be one of the most difficult New Year goals to pull off, but it’s also the most rewarding. Imagine how much bigger your brain will be after a year! Ease into the habit by setting aside 30 minutes a day for reading. No phone, no TV, no laptop. Bonus: It also reduces screen time!
19. Practice Humility
Accepting feedback, admitting fault, taking accountability, and loving life– all signs of humility – are practices that can make you more well-adjusted and happier over time. According to a 2021 study, being humble is associated with psychological wellness and positive behaviors. So, the next time you feel defensive for no reason, check yourself before you wreck your aura.
20. Do “High-Maintenance” Things
It’s okay to be “high-maintenance.” In fact, from a beauty perspective, doing so-called high-maintenance things can make your day-to-day low-maintenance. For example, getting gel nails may cost more, but they’re sturdier than a regular manicure. Getting eyelash extensions can cut your makeup time and mascara budget. Regular facials and hair treatments may mean you’ll need fewer products in your regimen.
21. Create a Vision Board
Call it corny, but a vision board works. This year, create a version that works for you. It can be a literal board with a collage of print cutouts, or an Excel spreadsheet detailing your plans and targets. These can keep your eyes on the prize (literally, too), and help you achieve your goals.
22. Set Achievable Career Goals
That said, keeping your career goals calculated and achievable can help maintain your sense of control and motivation. For example, instead of envisioning “a promotion,” you can strive for specific milestones “meet 120% of targets by Q3” or “go viral eight times out of 10”.
23. Find a “Third Place”
A “third place” is a physical space where people can come together outside of home or work. According to the journal Cities (2022), these places contribute to psychological well-being and emotional relaxation. Choose one that’s comfortable, accessible, and helps you detach from problems – like your own Central Perk or MacLaren’s Pub.
24. Collect Meaningful Art
Create a home that oozes with aura by getting your hands on meaningful art. They don’t have to be expensive, but they do need to reflect your taste and make you feel something. To start, try framing mementos or mounting knick-knacks on display shelves. You can also visit art fairs and vintage markets to expand your collection.
25. Take That Big Leap
A person’s aura changes after taking a big step, like launching a business, quitting a toxic job, or having a baby. Instead of wondering if this year is THE year, take that leap now. If it’s something you’ve always wanted to do or feel strongly about, and you’ve done your research and pros and cons list, go get it. Whatever happens, you’ll thank yourself for the opportunity and the inevitable growth.
Your New Year goals don’t have to be earth-shattering to make a difference in your life. Big or small, these changes contribute to your story arc and your overall aura. Whether you achieve one or all 25, you will never regret giving yourself a fair shot at becoming better.
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