5 steps to becoming a more accomplished adult this year

Enhance your life in 2024 with our Life, But Better guidance on sleep, nutrition, exercise, stress management, and more. Get started with helpful tips from our Adulthood, But Better newsletter series.

Revisiting the fundamentals is often necessary to reach your objectives, and a new, blank calendar year is the perfect opportunity to do so.

Becoming an adult and managing adult aspirations, relationships, and duties can be difficult regardless of age (do we ever really have all the answers?), but by completing these five, relatively achievable, adult tasks, you are setting a solid foundation for all your future accomplishments in 2024 and beyond.

Modern life can be stressful, so take just 15 minutes a day of any activity to help bring you a sense of calm amid the chaos.

visualspace/E+/Getty Images

1. Cancel one or two subscriptions

What's more responsible than keeping track of your finances? Odds are, there's a recurring payment that's draining your funds unnecessarily. It doesn't have to be significant. It could be a streaming service or productivity app that you no longer use, or a membership that has outlived its usefulness. In addition to saving some money, this will serve as a reminder to regularly monitor those small expenses that, if neglected, can become significant.

2. Do a friend overview

Senior friends walking in public park

andreswd/E+/Getty Images

5 steps to a more connected 2024

Don't believe the myth that friendship comes easily (or that those who say so have great friends). Even the closest relationships can suffer when life gets hectic. Don't feel ashamed about putting in the effort and make a list of the people you want to prioritize this year. Did any friendships fade in 2023? Make 2024 the year you nurture and revive them. Like any worthwhile endeavor, it will require intentional effort.

Don't hesitate to create little reminders to check in on people or schedule a long call with your long-distance bestie. The benefits will outweigh the effort. Need to make new friends? Trying a new fitness activity or joining a creative group are just a couple of strategies that have proven effective for others. You can do this. And don't forget, learning a new household skill is also a great way to expand your social circle.

Do you really know everything, Bob the Builder? Can you fix a taillight or change a tire? How old are your household air filters and when was the last time you cleaned your coffee maker? Do you even know how to clean your coffee maker? (Don't lie!) How well do you know your fuse box? Where's your fire extinguisher? Do you know how to clean your dryer ducts, caulk tile, or spackle a little hole in the wall?

Explore learning a new household skill in 2024. You won't be caught off guard the next time theres a minor inconvenience.

Klaus Vedfelt/Digital Vision/Getty Images

Explore the wealth of knowledge shared by people on the internet, and experience the genuine rewards of learning. The more knowledge you acquire, the greater your confidence will be, and you'll be less caught off guard by minor inconveniences in the future.

Find inspiration by tackling these six household tasks you've been avoiding.

4. Take time for mental health hygiene

A pretty African-American mother and her teenage son talking while sitting on a couch at home.

nortonrsx/iStockphoto/Getty Images

Title: How to Quickly Improve Your Family's Mental Health

As adults, we often associate adulthood with constant stress. While it's true that life can be stressful, it's important to find ways to manage it in order to be effective and maintain a healthy relationship with yourself. Devoting just 15 minutes a day to activities such as drinking tea, practicing positive self-talk, or stretching can kick-start a mental health hygiene habit and make a significant difference.

Dr. Broderick Sawyer, a clinical psychologist in Louisville, Kentucky, compares practicing mental health care to the routine act of brushing one's teeth. However, it can be a challenge to remember to prioritize. Just like other important aspects of adulthood, it should be treated as a mindful habit.

5. Determine your priorities.

This one might seem overwhelming, but with the right approach, it can be managed. Successful adults prioritize their choices, whether it's related to finances or time management. Take a moment to envision the year 2025. What accomplishment are you proud of? What positive change have you made through hard work and dedication?

Rear view of couple with arms raised about to begin descent on roller coaster in amusement park

Thomas Barwick/Digital Vision/Getty Images

Don't chase happiness. Embrace more enjoyment instead.

Now, reset. How will you reach that point? What should you concentrate on? What small actions can you consistently take, starting from now, to make it a reality? Pay attention to how you feel when you envision what the future you will have achieved. Going through this process can give you a revitalized sense of purpose, a crucial element not only for success but for a fulfilling and joyful life. Now, go out and make it happen!

Editors note: Not sure how to establish a habit? Try out behavioral scientist Katy Milkmans five strategies for nailing your New Years resolutions.