2026 New Year's Resolutions

According to Statista (statista.com), the most popular resolutions this year will be exercising more, saving more money, eating healthier, spending more time with family and friends, and losing weight. Though saving more money approached the top of the list for 2025 and 2026, these other top-ranking resolutions are essentially the same every year. 

A recent Forbes Health survey (forbes.com/health) found that most resolutions are abandoned sometime in March or April. According to research published in PLOS One (journals.plos.org), we are more likely to abandon our resolutions when they focus on subtracting things from our lives and more likely to be successful when our resolutions focus on adding things to our lives. 

With this in mind, here are six resolutions to consider that focus on abundance and bring positives into your life. 

1. Get to know Ojai and Oak View better. 
No matter how long you have lived here or how long ago you were born here, there are always new things to learn about and try around the valley. Maybe this is the year when you try a new hiking trail, go camping in Rose Valley, decide to try every restaurant in town, check out a different park, take the historic walking tour offered on Saturday mornings, or explore the Ojai Valley Museum to get to know your hometown better. For example, did you know that Cluff Vista Park has six different gardens? I didn’t, and I was born in the Ojai hospital 51 years ago this month. There is always more to learn and explore!

2. Increase your community involvement. 
This might include volunteering with a community organization, joining community groups, becoming more active in groups you are already part of, or supporting the local economy by shopping local and hiring local contractors.

3. Set up a monthly donation for a local organization. 
Monthly donors help sustain non-profit organizations so they can continue their important work of providing services, resources, and assistance locally. Even with a regular donation of just $5.00 each month, you can help make a difference in the lives of people and animals with whom we share the valley. So, if your budget allows, look for a local organization with a mission that is in line with your values. Some local examples include HELP of Ojai, Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, Turtle Conservancy, Secure Beginnings, and FoodShare.

4. Donate clothing and household items to a local organization. 
If decluttering your garage or closets to give yourself more space is on your list of resolutions for 2026, you can clear your clutter and help your neighbors by donating clothing, tools, and household goods locally. For example, if you donate items to 2nd Helpings Thrift Store, you are helping increase access to lower-cost necessities while supporting the work of HELP of Ojai. 

5. Expand your idea of self-care. 
Making more time for self-care is standard fare for new year’s resolutions, but if you are already pretty good about scheduling massages and remembering to meditate, it might be time to expand on the concept. Think outside of the spa and consider other self-care activities that could significantly improve your life. Examples include protecting your peace and your time by spending more time doing things you want to do and less time doing things you just feel obligated to do, lowering your inbox stress by unsubscribing from all of those email lists, or starting a new tradition that brings you joy. 

6. Improve natural disaster preparedness. 
Depending on where you live in the valley, you may be affected by fires, earthquakes, floods, or the occasional hurriquake. Improve the defensible space around your home to reduce the risk of wildfire damage, take steps to prepare your home for an earthquake, and get your go bags ready for you, your family members, and your pets. Thinking about the potential for a natural disaster is never fun, but, as the adage goes, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Happy New Year, everyone! May 2026 be filled with love, good health, joy, and adventure for you and your loved ones

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AimeeJo Davis-Varela is a member of The Davis Group and a freelance writer specializing in real estate, sustainable home improvement, eco-friendly landscaping, and green living. She is also the owner of Mind Your Manors, which provides second home management services.