Inspirational New Year’s Resolutions for 2016

Last Updated on February 12, 2024 by Travelationship

It’s that time of year again! 2015 is ending, and 2016 is enticing you to make some changes. Let this be the year you aspire to accomplish all you set out to do.

Matt isn’t one for resolutions, but I am. I don’t necessarily need the New Year to set new goals, but I like making a list and checking it off as the year progresses. I am big on obtainable realistic resolutions. I don’t want to set myself up for failure, but I do want to have a tangible guideline to pursue.
For the past 11 years, I have lived by what I call my Three Tried and True.

1. Visit at least one new country.
2. Visit at least two new cities in the United States
3. Try at least one new activity I have never tried before

Throughout the years, I added typical resolutions such as reading more, working on my fear of birds, eating better, or working out more. I succeeded at some, but others (i.e., learn to sing, fluently learn another language, cook more) were left behind before February arrived. But my favorite three never failed me – until now.

Let the New Year’s Resolutions Begin!

Our plans for 2016 have altered my regular pattern. We are traveling full-time with no plans to be in the U.S.; my first two resolutions don’t jive with my next 365 days. I needed some inspiration and reached out to fellow bloggers to ask them to share their New Year’s resolutions for the coming year.

Here are their goals for the coming year:

To plan less (sweating thinking about it!).

Gemma at Two Scots Abroad

2016 is the year I’m finally returning home to Canada after two years of traveling around the world. My New Year’s resolution is to explore more of my country this year.

Kelly at Kelly Ella Maz

Make every day count. I have been based in Rwanda and Uganda for the last five months. While taking it slow has allowed me to make some incredible connections with the community and people around me, this coming year, I want to see and do more, with the attitude that each day traveling could be the last.

Elle at Itinerant Elle

Whether roommates, best friends, or boyfriends, I have always had built-in travel buddies. This year I would like to branch out and take a longer, solo journey that I plan and carry out on my own. This is partly so I can spend the trip taking photographs and exploring the area at my own pace without slowing down my travel partner! Destination suggestions are welcome!

Emily at Emily Long Photography

I want to surpass my 2015 goals and travel to 6 new destinations. Last year, I was fortunate to travel to 5 new destinations, including Dublin, London, Amsterdam, Ecuador, and Barbados. In 2016, I hoped to make my travel dreams come true by traveling to Iceland, Switzerland, and Italy!

Danielle at The Thought Card

Unplug on the road for at least a day- no mobile or tech devices whatsoever. Another resolution is to play tourist in my city. There is so much to do in my town (Chicago) that I don’t take advantage of.

Patti at The Savvy Globetrotter

I want to be the kindest person possible to all the new faces I meet along the way, whether on my several-month backpacking trip en route to New Zealand or when I eventually make it to my new (albeit temporary) home as well as kind to myself. I want to be daring and adventurous yet know when it’s time to relax and take it slow. I want to seize the day each and every day and have patience, knowing it won’t always be easy.

Laura at Willful and Wildhearted

Explore more pet-friendly destinations with my travel-loving doggy. Travel to a place I can use one of the languages I studied in school.

Matilda at The Travel Sisters

I have a lifetime travel resolution to visit a new country every year. The world is so big, and I want to experience as much of it as possible! In 2015, I was fortunate to add South Africa to the list.

Genna at Start DC

With some inspiration from colleagues, and tweaking the old and new creativity, here are my New Year’s Resolutions.

1. Visit at least 12 new countries.
2. Visit at least two cities in each country visited this year
3. Try at least one new activity I have never tried before
4. Read at least one book per month
5. Volunteer in as many of the countries visited as possible
6. Travel more ethically by learning more about ethical travel, sharing what we know, and making more responsible and conscious choices
7. Take at least three photos per day
8. Say Hello (in the local language) to at least one new person a day
9. Continue to work with Matt to create the best possible Travelationship for us

Do you have a travel or photography-inspired New Year’s resolution? Share it with us in the comments!