5 Small Free Things to get your 2024 off to a Great Start
It’s a cliche that January is the time to revolutionise your life and make massive changes. However, the idea of making massive changes and sticking to them for the long-term can seem quite daunting. One way I like to go about making positive changes in my life is to start with the small things; stay consistent, and build upon them year after year. Read on for 5 small (and mostly free) things which may help to get your 2024 off to a great start.
1 – Do a clear-out
If you’ve got a cluttered wardrobe, loft, or shed, January is the perfect time to have a clear-out, so that your space is ready for the year ahead. If you watch my YouTube Channel, you may have seen that I recently did a wardrobe clear-out, as well as a beauty clear-out.
It felt so good to get rid of stuff that I no longer need, and it has helped me to rediscover some great pieces that I’d like to get more use out of this year, such as some of my matching gym sets from Lululemon & Adanola.
If the idea of tackling your whole wardrobe seems overwhelming, you could just tackle one cupboard or drawer each day until it’s all done, then donate what you don’t need to your local charity shop!
2 – Be sure to get outside every day
It’s so important to get outside each day for several reasons. Spending time outside in the sun (even if the weather isn’t great) allows our bodies to create Vitamin D, and looking at nature has proven to be great for our mental health and our mood.
If you spend a lot of time at home and perhaps work from home full-time, you could make it your goal to wander around your garden or around your local park for 10 minutes each day during your lunch break.
Or you could sit on your patio wrapped in your dressing gown while you drink your morning matcha. You could even take it one step further and practise grounding; simply remove your shoes and wander around on the lawn barefoot to really connect with nature.
3 – Get into a great sleep rhythm
Sleep is incredibly important for our health and wellbeing. Getting into a great sleep rhythm seems really obvious, but how many of us actually go to bed and wake up at the same time 7 days a week (yes, even on weekends!)?
Getting yourself into a consistent sleep pattern may feel hard at first, but I hardly even miss those weekend lie ins as I feel more energetic and productive through the week.
If you find iPhone alarms jarring, you could try the Lumie alarm clock which gradually begins to glow over 30 minutes to wake you up gently at your chosen time. Waking up gradually with light (either from the sun or from an alarm clock) apparently helps with winter-blues.
4 – Commit to growing something edible this year
When it comes to gardening, January is a great time to plan what you’re going to grow in the upcoming year. Even if you’ve never grown something before, and even if you don’t have any outside space of your own, you can still make 2024 the year you grow something edible.
Homegrown food is free from harmful chemicals (as long as you don’t use any!), and is therefore much better for our health. Fresh veg also tastes way better than shop-bought, as the longer a vegetable sits there before it’s eaten, the more of its sugars turn to starch.
A great place to start if you’re new to growing are microgreens. Microgreens are packed full of goodness and can be grow on your windowsill if you don’t have a garden or balcony. You can get a packet of seeds for around £3, or to make this totally free you may be able to do a seed exchange – ask around to see if seed exchanges are held within your local community.
5 – Learn about a new topic
Reading is of course a great way to learn new things, plus it means time away from screens, and is therefore something I like to do before bed.
Alternatively, you could listen to a book on audible, or listen to a podcast on your chosen topic while you’re doing your clear-out or driving to work. Choose a topic that you don’t know much about but are intrigued by and make 2024 the year for continuous learning!
As you may have noticed, I’m learning everything I can about nutrition at the moment, and really recommend Glucose Revolution by Jesse Inchauspe; as well as Spoon-Fed by Tim Spector – if you’re as fascinated by this topic as I am. Check out my recent YouTube Video to hear more of my health book and podcast favourites.
