Opinion: Forget new habits and resolutions in 2024, find joy in …

By Michael Norton. Jan. 1, 2024 3:01 AM PT. There is an irony to New Year’s Eve celebrations — one that I regularly reflect on owing to my specific field of psychological study: the rituals ...

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What makes you happy in the New Year?

However, nobody needs outside guidance or expertise to identify their sources of satisfaction. We don’t have to search for something new and different. The best indicator of what will make us happy is what has made us happy. Opinion: Forget new habits in the new year. Find joy in rituals with others ...

Can a new ritual be joyous?

And a new ritual can be joyous in a way that a new habit is not. Rituals remind us to savor our experiences. Phrases like “stop and smell the roses” are directly contrary to trying to maximize our productivity every minute of our lives — which should make us view the latter with suspicion. ...

Why do people perform New Year's rituals?

When it comes to performing rituals, Barbara says that the first 12 days of the year are an especially potent time because, on a spiritual level, they symbolize the 12 months of the year. Here are three of Barbara’s favorite New Year’s rituals. “New Year’s is a time to cleanse, renew, and rewire to bring in new patterns,” Barbara explains. ...

What's a good New Year's Day ritual?

There's still plenty to look forward to, though. One great New Year's Day ritual is choosing and planning an adventure for the coming year. It might be just a trip to the nearest state park or a new restaurant you haven't tried, but it could also be a cruise or family road trip. We also love the idea of interpreting "adventure" more symbolically. ...

How do you start a New Year's ritual?

This year, for a New Year's ritual, start a new journal of joy. It can be a notebook or blank book (or even the Notes app on your phone). The point is, you're going to write great moments down in this. At the end of the year, you can review it and remember the best things. ...

Do families enjoy New Year's rites more?

In our study, people who reported that their families gathered to celebrate a New Year’s rite not only enjoyed the day more, but reported being less distracted and more present when compared to people whose families gathered but did not share a special tradition. ...