It is the nature of humanity to want the repetition of Christmas and then the newness of January—the abundance of the holidays, followed by the spartan resolutions of the New Year. On January 1st, indulgence gives way to gym memberships, as people seek to become new and improved versions of themselves.

Wharton professor Katherine Milkman refers to this phenomenon as the ‘fresh-start effect’, whereby people resolve to adopt behaviours in line with their personal goals at the beginning of new cycles. In a study performed in 2014, participants in a focus group were more inclined to request a goal reminder on March 20th when the date was listed as ‘the first day of spring’, suggesting the effectiveness of ‘fresh-start framing.’

If framing newness in a certain way inspires people to achieve it, then the word ‘new’ (adj.) has several definitions that can help in the personal quest to be new. ‘New’ means, variously:

1 (something or someone) produced, introduced, or discovered recently or now for the first time; not existing before;

2 (something or someone) already existing but seen, experienced, or acquired recently or now for the first time;

3 (something or someone) beginning anew and in a transformed way.

While people tend to approach the new year with resolutions aimed at self-transformation—the majority of which are destined for failure—these three definitions of ‘new’ present myriad achievable, incremental options for incorporating newness into life.

Towards a less pressured New Year, here are 22 ways to be new:

Make something new
Make a new acquaintance or friend
Introduce new foods into your diet
Introduce a new hobby into your schedule
Introduce new plants into your house or garden
Discover a new place
Discover a new route
Discover a new method for something you already do
Discover a new genre of literature or film
Experience a familiar place or view at a new time of day
Experience wearing something old in your closet as if it is new
Experience new music
Experience foods from new cultures
Acquire a new habit
Acquire a new accessory or tool
Acquire a new skill
Acquire a new mantra
Begin a new course
Begin a new book or series
Begin tracking a habit
Transform a space or room in your house
Transform your daily routine

In other words, to be new, do new.

Happy 2022!