How to Actually Keep New Year's Resolutions, According to Real People

"I made a resolution to get healthier skin! I had my first dermatologist appointment at the beginning of the year and asked about the products I was using. She recommended switching to gentler products with fewer chemicals. Now, I just use a Cetaphil cleanser and moisturizers morning and night, along with topical creams I’ve been prescribed. No face masks, no complex or expensive products and now I feel super confident with my face (enough to go out without makeup!)." —Kristin

"I set out to stay open to change and embrace it. I moved to a new city with no friends and accepted a job, not knowing where it would take me in the future. As a self-described planner, I had to change my mindset from having to know every next step that was going to happen. Now, I live more in the moment, embrace the change, and trust that everything works out in the way it’s supposed to!" —Holly

RELATED: 35 Achievable New Year's Resolutions for Healthier and Happier Living

"I wanted to make flossing more of a priority so my dentist wouldn’t yell at me any more. If I leave it out and get ready for bed earlier, that helps, and my gums really improved." —Dana

RELATED: This Is Why You Should Never Flush Dental Floss Down the Toilet

"I wanted to tone up, and I get bored very easily with exercise. My resolution was to stick with one fitness studio for the whole year —and I did, because it’s expensive and it forced me to go 12+ times a month. Paying for it basically made me go." —Kristina

RELATED: How to Lose Weight Faster, But Safely

"My family got into a little tiff last year during the holidays, so afterward, I made a resolution to call my parents regularly, every Sunday, in order to keep my relationship with them strong. At first I was able to keep up with it because it was just on my list of to dos along with other Sunday chores, but later in the year, they started prompting me to call with texts like ‘Call when good!’ and I could tell they were anticipating my call in a cute way, which encouraged me to keep up with the habit." —Devin

"Meal prepping every Sunday. It made my weeks a lot less chaotic and I tended to eat a lot healthier. I kept it up by budgeting, because I knew if I ate out every day, it wouldn’t be affordable. I also kept it fun with new recipes, tried new ingredients like tempeh, and bought new Tupperware I actually like. I love my glass Pyrex bowls." —Jessica

RELATED: A 7-Day, 1,400-Calorie Meal Plan

"I've always been very fearful of rejection when it comes to my poetry and art, so last year I made a resolution to share more of my work on my social media channels and with friends. I feel more artistic and creative than I ever have before and I truly feel it's because I've decided to express myself without letting my fear hold me back." —Hannah

"I started small with ending relationships that were toxic and unfollowing certain people on social media. Then I held myself accountable with friendships that are extremely meaningful, even with little things like responding to a text within a normal time limit. For my job, I continuously stood up for myself and found new strategies to overcome hardships, rather than go with the flow or quit." —Erica

"I aimed to play more with my son, and not being such a 'parent' all the time. I made a point to try to take time out of my day (just a few minutes here and there) to laugh with him." —Keri

"I resolved to stop looking at my phone during meals and forced myself to fix my habit of keeping my phone at the table when I was eating. I think the key is to pick something really specific and achievable that you can realistically turn into a habit without turning your life upside down." —Hayley

"My resolution was to do more things that felt exhilarating. I just tried to say yes to more activities that sounded exciting or scary or fun, but were maybe financially or logistically impractical. I went on a last-minute trip to Colombia with friends, and pushed back going to the grocery store to head to the beach one Sunday." —Annabel

"I found a running buddy, picked a plan that worked best with my schedule, made a giant wall calendar to check off workouts, learned to say no to late nights (for the most part), and listened to my body. I also got injured a month before my race, so I had to learn to stop pushing myself as hard as I wanted to, but still got to the finish line." —Kate

RELATED: 15 Best Gifts for Runners Who Love Going the Distance

"Every year, I commit myself to make it through another year sober. No more using alcohol to numb anxiety, stress, pain, or disappointment. I don’t take my sobriety for granted and I have to take intentional measures to maintain other outlets of coping: I journal, meditate, and exercise, protect myself from toxic relationships, and find sober activities to engage in." —Kelli