New Year, New You: 10 Small Habits to Transform Your Life in 2024

Introduction: A Fresh Start for a Balanced Life

Ah, the New Year—a time for fresh starts, endless motivation, and opportunities to embrace New Year habits for a balanced life. Every year, I’d set these massive goals (run a marathon, declutter the entire house, eat only organic), but life—toddlers, work, RV repairs—always got in the way.

That’s when I realized that big, lofty resolutions weren’t the answer. Instead, focusing on small, actionable habits made all the difference. In this post, I’ll share 10 simple habits that have helped me as a full-time working mom traveling the country in an RV with two toddlers and two dogs. These small steps can help you create balance and make 2024 your best year yet!

1. Start Your Morning with Habits for a Balanced Life

Mornings in an RV can be chaos. My toddlers are either crawling into bed with me or arguing over who gets the first bite of breakfast. But I’ve learned that carving out even five minutes for myself makes all the difference.

How I Do It:

• Set my alarm 10 minutes earlier than the kids usually wake up (when it works, it’s magical).
• Start with a quiet cup of coffee and a glance at my Bible study journal.

Pro Tip: If you’re a coffee lover like me, a Nespresso machine is worth the investment. I also keep reusable pods for budget-friendly refills.

2. Meal Plan Like a Pro

Meal planning is a sanity-saver. Knowing what’s for dinner takes so much stress out of your day.

How I Make It Work:

• Dedicate Sunday afternoons to planning meals for the week.
• Stick to simple recipes with five ingredients or fewer.

Favorite Recipe: My 5-ingredient baked chicken thighs paired with frozen veggies. Dinner’s done in 30 minutes! check out my other 5 ingredient recipes here.

Recommended Product: A magnetic meal planner keeps my plan visible and organized.

3. Automate Your Savings

Building financial security is an important part of adopting New Year habits for a balanced life. Saving money can be easy. Automating your savings helps you build a financial cushion without any effort.

How I Do It:

• Set up auto-transfers to my savings account each payday. Even $10 a week adds up!
• Use YNAB (You Need a Budget) to track and organize all our finances, from groceries to RV repairs.

Pro Tip: Try the YNAB app to simplify your budgeting. It’s been a lifesaver for us!

4. Create Tech-Free Family Moments

We love our tech, but some of the best family moments happen offline. Creating tech-free zones or evenings can bring your family closer together.

Our Favorite Tech-Free Activities:

• Board game nights with the toddlers (they’re obsessed with Candy Land).
• Storytime before bed with Vooks (amazing for book-loving kids).
• Cooking together—our DIY pizza nights are messy but so much fun!

5. Movement for a Balanced Life: Prioritize Consistency

Exercise doesn’t have to mean hour-long workouts. Consistency is what matters most, even if it’s just 10 minutes a day.

How I Do It:

• Go for a quick walk while the kids play at the park.
• On rainy days, we have dance parties —it’s a fun way to get steps in!

Pro Tip: If you like tracking progress, a fitness tracker can help keep you motivated.

6. Decluttering for a Balanced Life: One Space at a Time

Decluttering is a small but impactful step toward creating New Year habits for a balanced life. It’s one of the simplest ways to reduce stress. Tackle small areas weekly to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

How I Do It:

• Start with a small area, like a drawer or cabinet.
• Donate or sell anything we haven’t used in a year.

Recommended Product: Storage bins like these collapsible ones keep everything tidy and organized.

7. Daily Gratitude for New Year Balance

Gratitude is a powerful way to shift your mindset. Focusing on what you’re thankful for can boost happiness and reduce stress.

How We Do It:

• At dinner, we each share one thing we’re grateful for (the kids’ answers are always adorable).
• I keep a gratitude journal by my bed to write down three things each night.

8. Build a Family Emergency Plan

Emergencies are a reality of life. Being prepared makes a huge difference when the unexpected happens.

How We Prepare:

• Keep an emergency kit with a first aid kit and portable charger.
• Create a checklist of important phone numbers and contacts.

9. Start a Family Journal

A family journal is a simple way to document milestones and memories. It’s something you’ll treasure for years to come.

How to Start:

• Use a blank notebook and encourage everyone to contribute.
• Add photos, ticket stubs, or doodles to make it even more special.

10. Invest in Self-Care

Self-care doesn’t have to be expensive. It’s about small rituals that help you recharge and feel your best.

My Favorite Self-Care Ideas:

• A relaxing bath with Epsom salts after the kids go to bed.
• A cup of tea with honey—a natural remedy we love for immunity boosts.
• Journaling to clear my mind before bed.

Conclusion: A Year of Small Wins

Small, consistent habits can lead to big changes. You don’t need to reinvent yourself this year—just tweak a few things to make life a little easier and more balanced.

Which habit will you try first? Let me know in the comments below! Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more tips to keep your life balanced and joyful in 2024.