What Are Your New Year’s Resolutions?

It's nearly the end of the yea, which can only mean one thing – it's time for New Year's Resolutions! Other than the usual quitting smoking* here are my Paleo related goals for next year. I'd love to hear yours too!

Sleep

I'm realising more and more how important sleep is. It impacts everything. No matter how well you eat and how fit you are – without adequate sleep it often feels somewhat futile. So my plan is to allow myself a nine hour sleep window at least five nights a week. If I wake up early, I didn't need it! I will try to do this every night – but have to be realistic about those days when I have no option but to get early (typically to travel for work)

Ferment

Fermented food is so beneficial and I really need to make more time to prepare things like sauerkraut and kombucha! I'd like to have something fermented in my paleo diet every week – and also find a good kimchi recipe!

Offal

Another thing I'm not so good at is including Offal in my Paleo Diet. I plan to make an effort to consume things like liver, heart and kidneys on a regular basis. I think creating a good Pâté recipe will be a great way to do this.

Happy new year resolutions healthy lifestyle lose weight paleo diet-min

Sun

I'm also going to pay much closer attention to my Vitamin D levels in the new year, so will have my levels tested more frequently and make sure I either get 20 minutes of sun exposure each day – or take a vitamin D3 supplement as close to midday as possible.

Organise

Towards the end of the year my organisation got worse and worse! I'm going to make sure I'm more organised and bring in my lunch each day – instead of spending my lunch breaks searching the city for something Paleo!

Move with Purpose

Exercise is already a key part of many people’s routines, but this year I want to shift from “burning calories” to “moving with purpose.” That means training in a way that’s aligned with functional, ancestral movement. I’ll be focusing more on walking barefoot outdoors, lifting heavy things a few times a week, and incorporating short, high-intensity workouts like sprints or kettlebell intervals. I’ll also make time for long hikes or swims whenever I can.

This kind of movement not only supports physical health but also contributes to mental clarity and emotional resilience. And in the true Paleo spirit, it mimics the variety and spontaneity of how our ancestors used their bodies every day—not just repeating the same gym routine on a treadmill indoors.

Cutting Out the Clutter

This year, another resolution is to simplify. That includes not just food but also the products I use, my surroundings, and even my social media feeds. I'm planning a serious pantry clean-out to remove anything that isn’t 100% aligned with my Paleo lifestyle—no more “maybe one day” packets of processed foods lurking in the back. This reset will help me stay more intentional with what I eat and how I shop.

Beyond food, I’ll also declutter my home to make it more calming and conducive to wellness. Too much stuff—especially tech—seems to disrupt peace and productivity, so I’ll be more mindful of what I allow into my space, both physically and digitally.

Hydration Goals

I’ve always known that hydration is important, but I’ve often let it fall by the wayside. In the new year, I plan to make water intake a higher priority. I’m aiming for at least 2.5 litres a day, more on active or hot days here in Australia. I’ll also be focusing on mineral-rich hydration—adding a pinch of sea salt or a splash of coconut water to help with electrolyte balance.

Proper hydration supports digestion, energy levels, skin clarity, and joint health. I’m also planning to keep an insulated bottle with me at all times and track my intake to make this goal sustainable and measurable.

Read More Paleo Research

This resolution is about diving deeper into the why behind the Paleo diet. While I’ve read the basics and followed this lifestyle for years, I want to take a more scientific look at some of the principles—particularly emerging research around gut health, autoimmune protocols, and the effects of modern food processing.

I’ll be setting aside 30 minutes each week to read from peer-reviewed journals, listen to expert-led podcasts, or explore books that cover the intersection of ancestral health and modern science. Staying up to date helps refine my approach and also lets me share better, more informed content with you.

Batch Cooking and Freezer Prep

To support my goals of eating more nutrient-dense foods and staying on track with organisation, I’ll be embracing batch cooking more regularly. Every Sunday, I plan to prepare a few key components that can be mixed and matched throughout the week—things like roasted veggies, shredded meat, bone broth, and fermented condiments.

Not only does this reduce midweek stress, but it also prevents decision fatigue and helps avoid the temptation of off-plan meals. I’ll be investing in quality glass containers, a good set of labels, and maybe even upgrading the freezer storage layout to keep things easy to grab and defrost.

Embrace Local and Seasonal

Instead of buying imported produce or frozen convenience options, I’m making a resolution to eat seasonally and locally as much as possible. That means visiting farmers’ markets more often, supporting ethical Australian producers, and focusing on fruits and vegetables that are naturally thriving in each season.

This approach is not only more sustainable but also delivers better taste and nutritional content. Plus, it gives me a deeper connection to the land I live on and helps me appreciate food in a whole new way—something very much in the spirit of Paleo living.

Mindful Tech Use

Another goal that ties in beautifully with a holistic lifestyle is reducing screen time—especially before bed. In 2024, I often found myself scrolling late into the evening, which undoubtedly interfered with my sleep, stress levels, and overall focus.

This year I’m implementing digital curfews, turning off screens an hour before bedtime, and replacing that time with journaling, reading, or simply winding down with calming music or a short stretch. It’s all about being more present and creating space for restoration rather than constant stimulation.

Reconnect with Community

One of the most overlooked parts of wellness is connection. I’m making a conscious effort this year to spend more quality time with people who inspire and uplift me. Whether that’s through meal sharing, nature walks, or group workouts, I want to re-establish that sense of community that’s so central to ancestral living.

Isolation is often a silent stressor in modern life. By reconnecting with like-minded friends and being more involved in real-world conversations—not just online—I hope to build stronger bonds that support mental and emotional health throughout the year.

Your Turn

If you’re setting Paleo-aligned resolutions this year, I’d love to hear what they are. Are you planning to experiment with fasting? Try a Whole30 reset? Source a better local butcher? Share your goals in the comments below and let’s keep each other accountable!

I'd love to hear your New Year's Resolutions. What are you going to start doing, do less of and stop doing altogether?

*I'm only joking. I've never been a smoker!

12 replies
  1. Janice
    Janice says:

    Happy New Year to you too! Thanks I’ve really been enjoying your blog.
    I think extra sleep is a good one (any idea how to stop my partner snoring!)

    Really interesting in the fermented foods, I don’t know anything at all about that so far.

    The very idea of offal is something I have never fancied, so maybe in a pate, is a good way to go forward on that one.
    Luckily I stopped smoking 2 years ago, now that was a really difficult thing to do. So glad I did though, now I can taste things properly, great.

  2. Petunia
    Petunia says:

    For years I’ve been quite a bit over the weight I’d like to be. I’m going to try not to be so obsessed with diets and just try to eat proper food. Seems a good idea after all the extra stuff I’ve been eating other Christmas.

  3. kahiba
    kahiba says:

    For 2013.
    Yes to extra sleep. I’ll make more effort to have lights out by 10pm. I’m a lark so have always been a daylight waker (5am most days) and getting enough sleep in the summer months is a struggle.

    Like liver but need to try harder for the kidneys and heart. Tongue is another one.

    Need to try harder to have tea or coffee without milk. Am trying coconut cream but it’s not the same. Am trying alternatives like lime and ginger in hot water. Also just made my first batch of kombucha.

    The biggest thing is to move more . Also do more resistance and strength exercises instead of only walking. I spend waaaay t0o much time following Paleo/Primal blogs and sites.

    • PaleoGirl
      PaleoGirl says:

      I spend too much time on Paleo sites too – but that’s a good thing, right?!

      Good luck with the sleep!

  4. Pete
    Pete says:

    I’m fed up trying to explain about Paleo and what it means. So think I’ll just ignore any questions next time anyone asks.

  5. Mandi
    Mandi says:

    I plan to walk to work 3 days a week. (last year I tried every day & then gave up after 3 weeks)
    Another thing drinking, wine, only at weekends, ok I’ll give it a try!

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