The concept of New Year’s Resolutions is super contrived, but I am always a fan of improving your life any way you can. On January 1st, the internet is always full of bullshit about how to make your life look like you’re some weird mutant combination of Martha Stewart, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kim Kardashian. IDK about you, but my apartment looks more like Jessica Jones lives in it than someone who subscribes to Goop. So, in the spirit of trying to make life easier and better in ways that are actually attainable, here is a list of tips on how to get yo shit together in 2017. I’d love to hear other ideas and suggestions. The items on this list might not be relevant for all people, but hopefully you’ll find something that you think is helpful.

• Download an app to keep track of your finances, like Mint or MoneyLover.
• Do a load of laundry. Actually fold it and put it away.
• Wash ALL of your dishes. Yes, even the water bottles.
• Schedule a doctor’s appointment. Maybe it’s one you’ve been putting off, or maybe it’s just your annual well visit. Use that health insurance if you’ve got it.
• Don’t have health insurance? Visit Healthcare.gov to apply (in the USA). You might qualify for free health insurance based on your income. Oregon even has emergency insurance for non-citizens. Yes, really.
• Return any late library books to the library. Pay any fines you owe and check out something new to read in the new year.
• Call/text/owl/IM/@ a friend/mutual and set up a time to hang out in the next few weeks, even if it’s only over Skype.
• Cook something you really like to eat and double the recipe. Freeze the leftovers, or transfer to small plastic containers to take with you for lunch for the next week.
• Hate your job? Need a job? Update your resume and put in a few applications. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get a call back. Just keep swimming. If there’s a company that you really really want to work for, don’t give up after one try. Apply for new positions when they open up. You never know.
• Set up automatic payments for all of your bills so you don’t have late fees.
• Do whatever is NEXT LEVEL in your beauty/bath ritual, like painting your nails, deep conditioning your hair, washing your face with soap instead of water, or putting on multiple face masks and exfoliating your arms. Whatever is next level for you, indulge yourself.
• Go outside for 5 minutes. Breathe in the air. Swear at the snow. Marvel at the sunlight. React to nature. Okay, you can go back inside now.
• All of the above is more enjoyable if you wear slippers while you do it. Just saying.
• Got a savings account? Set up automatic deposits from your checking account with each paycheck. Saving $25 every 2 weeks is better than savings $0.
• Don’t have a savings account? Try an app like Digit or Acorns to put aside some extra money in 2017. Or just go open a savings account. It doesn’t take long at all.
• Take care of something tedious that you’ve been putting off for months. Like renewing your passport, or replacing a lost social security card.
• Send a card, a letter, or a postcard to a person. If you don’t have anyone to write to, send a short note to one of your favorite authors/creators. Let them know you love what they do. Tell them thank you. Tell them to keep going. Keep it short and sweet, and pop it in a mailbox. We still have those!
• Look at your bank statement for any weird spending in the last month. Did you spend an absurd amount of money on tacos at 1am? Is that how you wanted to spend that money? Ask yourself these questions to be more conscious of how you spend your money.
• Get your annual credit report (in the USA). You can get it 3 times per year for free.
• Finish a TV show or book series. There, didn’t that feel productive?
• Refill your medication, and throw out any expired medicine in the cupboard.
• Sign up to volunteer with a charity or organization that you care about deeply.
• Make sure that you are registered to vote with current address information. Midterm elections and local elections occur in between presidential election years (in the USA). Make your voice heard.
• Pet your cat/dog/lizard/horse/rat/snake/hedgehog/turtle/unicorn/tribble. If you don’t have one, get one! Or go pet someone else’s. I’m sure they won’t mind.
• Add your phone number to the National Do Not Call Registry (in the USA) if you don’t want telemarketers to call you.
• Opt out from junk mail (in the USA) if you don’t want to receive catalogs and other crap in the mail. It’s good for the environment!
• Opt out from prescreened credit card offers (in the USA) if you don’t want to receive those either.
• Wash your sheets and make your bed. That feels nice, doesn’t it?
• Clean out your backpack/purse/satchel/fanny pack. Put all of your essentials back inside it. Add a granola bar and a can of pepper spray. You never know.
• Pick up some extra canned goods and a gallon of bottled water. Throw it all in the back of a rarely used cupboard in case of emergencies.
• Check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. While you’re at it, make sure your flashlights have batteries.
• Call your mom/dad/guardian/parental figure/camp counselor/professor. Have a chat.
• Scan your computer for viruses. Update your OS on both your computer and your phone.
• Delete apps and files you never use from your phone. Transfer your photos to your computer to clear up hard drive space for new pictures.
• Treat yo self to a new notebook, or sketchbook, or canvas, or whatever you need to make art. If you don’t make art, try it sometime.