Ah, the start of a new year! A clean slate, a fresh calendar, and endless possibilities for the next 12 months. It’s no wonder so many of us dive headfirst into setting big, shiny New Year’s resolutions.

But here’s the thing: I don’t have a good track record with New Year’s Resolutions. Every year, I’d pick one lofty goal—like going to the gym every single week—and throw myself into it with everything I had. At first, it felt great! But then… life happened. Maybe I got sick, or work got busy, and I’d miss a week. Suddenly, my perfect streak was ruined, and I’d label the whole resolution a “failure.” Sound familiar?

The problem with traditional resolutions is they tend to be all-or-nothing. They’re often unrealistic, unsustainable, and, if we’re being honest, a little too intense. Instead of helping us grow, they can turn into a source of stress and take the fun out of pursuing our goals.

But don’t worry—I’m not here to crush your New Year’s dreams! Instead, I want to introduce you to a new idea: New Year’s Bingo.

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What Is New Year’s Bingo?

In 2023, my best friend (hi Bea, if you’re reading!) introduced me to this brilliant idea, and I’ve done it each year since. The concept is simple: Instead of one giant resolution, you create a bingo card filled with 9–16 smaller, varied goals. Throughout the year, you aim to cross off as many as you can—maybe even hit a full house if you’re feeling ambitious!

Here’s why Bingo is better than traditional resolutions:

1. It’s flexible: If you don’t cross off every goal, no big deal! Even hitting one goal is a win worth celebrating.
2. It’s bite-sized: The goals are smaller and more manageable, so you can enjoy little victories throughout the year.
3. It’s well-rounded: With multiple goals from different areas of life, you’ll feel balanced instead of hyper-focused on just one thing.

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How to Play New Year’s Bingo

Okay, so it’s technically late January—but don’t let that stop you! You’ve still got 11.5 months left! Here’s how to get started:

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

You’ll need:

• A piece of A4 paper
• A pen (coloured ones if you’re feeling fancy!)
• A ruler
• Somewhere to keep your bingo card where you’ll see it regularly (e.g. fridge, pin-board, notebook).

Step 2: Make Your Grid

Decide whether you want a 3×3 grid (9 goals) or a 4×4 grid (16 goals). If it’s your first time, I recommend starting with 9—trust me, coming up with 16 goals can be tricky! Use your ruler to divide your paper into squares, and hey presto, your bingo card is ready.

Step 3: Choose Your Goals

Now comes the fun part: brainstorming your goals! To make sure your bingo card is well-rounded, try picking goals from a variety of categories. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Financial Goals: Save a specific amount of money, plan a budget-friendly trip, or buy something you’ve been saving for.
• Creative Goals: Take a painting class, learn a new recipe, or finally read that book you’ve been eyeing.
• Intellectual Goals: Learn a new skill, pass a certification, or research a topic you’re curious about.
• Physical Goals: Run a 5K, try a new sport, or master a challenging yoga pose.
• Social Goals: Host a game night, reconnect with an old friend, or join a club.

Pro Tip: Be mindful of adding work-related goals. Work can be stressful enough, and you want your bingo card to focus on personal growth and joy—not more deadlines.

Step 4: Make Them Specific

Your goals should be clear and measurable. Instead of “get stronger,” try “bench press X kg.” Mix in some quick wins (e.g., “learn to solve a Rubik’s Cube”) alongside longer-term goals (e.g., “read 20 books”) to keep things exciting throughout the year.

Step 5: Keep It Visible

Write your goals in the squares, decorate your card if you’d like, and put it somewhere you’ll see it often. I also recommend snapping a photo to keep on your phone for easy reference.

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Why I Love New Year’s Bingo

In 2024, I managed to cross off 8 of the 16 goals on my card. Did I hit a full house? Nope. But you know what? Instead of feeling like I “failed,” I got to celebrate 8 amazing wins. And let me tell you—it felt so much better than beating myself up over the 8 goals I didn’t get to.

This year, I’ve scaled back to 9 goals, and I’m so excited to see how many I’ll check off in 2025. Whether I hit all 9 or just a few, I know I’ll end the year with a sense of accomplishment and some amazing memories to look back on.

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