5 New Year's Resolutions You'll Easily Keep
This year, instead of setting unrealistic goals for things that we don't really want to do, why not make our New Year's resolutions not just reasonable, but enjoyable?
Every Jan. 1, we promise ourselves we’re going to get fit, save money, get organized, change habits. And, by the second Friday in January – known as Quitter’s Day – the motivation has faded and the majority of us are left feeling defeated.
Maybe we’ve been to ambitious, trying to do too much at once. This year, instead of setting unrealistic goals for things that we don’t really want to do, why not make our New Year’s resolutions not just reasonable, but enjoyable?
That’s what the College’s new Center for Intentionality – made possible through a gift from Ben Navarro, a Charleston businessman and philanthropist who teaches the Intentionality course at the College – has set out to do. Because, as Navarro says, “If you want to get somewhere fast, you have to go slow.”
“Intentionality is about getting a little bit better every day, and knowing those small steps can create lasting change,” says Marina Dryer, an accounting major and president of the College’s Intentionality Club, which is hosting several events focusing on building healthy habits this month:
- Tiny Changes, Real Results: Atomic Habits & Intentionality – Jan. 7, 7–8:30 p.m.
- A Wilderness Ruck Designed to Build Strong Habits – Jan. 11, 12–7:30 p.m.
- Building Intentional Habits for Financial Freedom – Jan. 12, 7–8 p.m.
- Vision Board Night: Future You, Built Daily – Jan. 14, 7–7 p.m.
Whether you want to build healthy habits or just have more fun in 2026, here are five New Year’s resolutions that you’ll have no problem keeping – and how you can reach your goals at the College of Charleston!
Be more still.
If you feel like you’re always racing from task to task, place to place, obligation to obligation, you know how exhausting it can be. Sometimes we just need to sit still.
The CofC campus has plenty of of “secret” spots where you can sneak in some alone time – whether that’s on a bench in a courtyard, in the private nook of a historic house or among the stacks in the Addlestone Library. The new Center for Intentionality (159 Rutledge Ave.) also has a dedicated space for just sitting. In fact, the third floor features a study, along with an intentionality library and reflection room, just for that purpose.
Get more clothes.
Sure, your closets are full of things you never wear. But who doesn’t love a little retail therapy? Fortunately, CofC students can revamp their wardrobes without spending at a dime. The Cougar Free Store is a place where members of the College of Charleston community can donate and take items for free. Whether you’re looking for clothing, school supplies or home goods, you can find it here!
Located at the Center for Sustainable Development (207 Calhoun St.), the Cougar Free Store is generally open Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Also, look for Free Store pop-up events throughout the semester.
Watch more movies.
The College of Charleston community has free access to all the streaming and digital media resources that the College of Charleston Libraries offer. From today’s headlines and the archives of the biggest and best newspapers to streaming video platforms, musical and aural encyclopedias, and art and photography collections from around the world: You can access it all through the Library’s A–Z Databases List.
“Most students are surprised when I tell them of the preponderance of video titles we have available for them, and they are positively overwhelmed when I show them,” says Jared Seay, research librarian and media services coordinator. “Our access includes independent films, world and classic cinema, documentaries, short films, TV series, sci fi, horror, comedy, romance, early film and so much more!”
Check out some of the streaming sites here.
Indulge more dreams.
Daydreaming might be looked down upon in class or at work, but at the Life Design Center, students are encouraged to dream their dreams and pursue their visions.
“The goal is to help every student explore who they are, imagine what’s possible and chart their own, unique approach for a life that encompasses their interests, dreams and hopes,” says Kristen McMullen, director of the School of Business Student Success Center, who also serves as the executive director of Life Design Coaching Programs. “It’s not ‘cookie cutter,’ it’s life design tailored in a very simple way, to be flexible and to meet students where they are, while encouraging them to dream big.”
Have more fun.
Fun is healthy. And, with some 250 student clubs on campus – not to mention fraternities and sororities and the many sport clubs and teams – there’s something fun for everyone at the College.
And, for those who don’t want to commit to an organization, there are plenty of fun activities and events all semester long – whether those are athletics events, activities planned by the Cougar Activities Board or School of the Arts performances.
Just check the Campus Calendar to find your fun!
