With the New Year just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to pause, reset, and think about how you want to start 2026.

New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be big, intimidating goals; they can be just small changes that can help you feel better, live healthier, and show up more fully in your everyday life. Whether you’re aiming to get fitter, save a little more, or finally build habits you can stick to, knowing where to begin makes all the difference.

We’re breaking down the most common New Year’s resolutions and sharing simple, doable ways to actually start them, so you can ease into 2026 feeling motivated, not overwhelmed.

Get Fit: Download ClassPass

Right after the holidays, one of the most common goals is getting back into shape. And while aiming for a healthier or slimmer body is great, truly looking good starts with feeling good from the inside. That means building a fitness routine that fits your schedule, stays within your budget, and — most importantly — keeps things fun so you actually want to stick with it. Level up 2026 by doing more than just “working out” and turning your goals into a fitness journey.

With ClassPass, you can explore a wide range of activities and wellness experiences that you can mix, match, and schedule at your own pace. From dance classes and Pilates to cycling, gym sessions, and more, there’s something for every mood and energy level. It’s also budget-friendly, thanks to ClassPass’ credits system, which lets you book classes and wellness appointments on your own terms. Whether you’re stepping into your Pilates Princess era, squeezing in an evening spin class, or treating yourself to a midday massage, ClassPass makes it easy to stay active, balanced, and feeling your best in the year ahead.

Start exploring ClassPass here.

Organize Your Space: Declutter and Donate

Start the year on a fresh note by organizing your wardrobe. Decluttering is an easy, satisfying way to ease into the New Year as it instantly makes your space feel lighter and gives you a sense of a clean slate.

And let’s be honest, most of what we accumulate over the year tends to be clothes. If you come across pieces that are still in great condition but no longer fit your style or lifestyle, consider donating them instead. It’s a simple way to give your clothes a second life, help someone in need, and reduce textile waste at the same time.

We’ve rounded up some of the best places you can donate clothes in Manila here.

Eat Healthier: Subscribe to a Healthy Meal Plan

Food is life, but let’s be real — maintaining a healthy, balanced diet can feel like a challenge when you’re always on the go. With meal preps and “healthy eating” trends becoming more popular, it can feel even more intimidating, especially if you’re not confident in the kitchen.

Many people automatically assume that eating healthy means bland, boring meals, but that doesn’t have to be the case. This coming year, we’re here to remind you that anything is doable with a little determination and the right approach.

You don’t need to be a master chef to get started. Sometimes, all it takes is a small nudge in the right direction, and that’s where meal plans come in. They’re a simple, practical way to ease into healthier eating, helping you discover tasty, balanced meals without the stress of figuring everything out on your own.

Fit Food Manila offers thoughtfully crafted meal plans for your specific needs, whether that’s something low-carb, calorie-counted, or vegetarian. Their Fit Food Original starts at P395 per day and is prepared by a culinary team and nutritionists to make sure each meal is balanced and tasty. Each meal plan has varying packages and can be booked for a duration of one to four weeks. You can book meal plans directly on their website.

Reduce Stress: Try Meditation Apps

Choose yourself more this year by resisting stress and giving yourself permission to simply relax and “be.” While getting a massage, taking a walk, or stepping away from work are all wonderful ways to unwind, they’re not always possible when time, finances, or responsibilities get in the way.

What you need is something consistent, accessible, and easy to fit into your daily routine, and that’s where meditation apps come in. With guided sessions right on your phone, meditation apps make it simple to carve out a few minutes for yourself anytime, anywhere. These apps encourage you to start with small daily steps that help you build resilience and cultivate a greater sense of inner calm over time.

One of the most accessible and premium meditation apps out there is Calm, which is an all-around meditation app offering features that cater to sleep, focus, education, and physical movement. You can get one original meditation daily, unique soundscapes that can help you relax your mind and sleep better, and even narrated sleep stories and classes guided by experts.

Monthly subscriptions are at P999, but you can save more if you subscribe to an individual yearly subscription for P3,990 or a Family subscription good for six people at P6,990. If you’re unsure whether this app is for you, Calm offers a 7-day free trial to help you explore and try all its features.

You can download Calm on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Learn a New Skill: Apply for Short Courses

Learning a new skill sharpens the brain and opens you up to new possibilities. Whether you’re at a point in your life where you want to explore new career paths, develop personal interests, or simply learn something new, short courses are a great way to achieve your learning goals while still adapting to your busy lifestyle.

Institutions like the CIIT College of Arts and Technology offer specialist courses in Digital Marketing, Multimedia Arts, Web Design and Development, and 3D Animation, among others.

At OEd, you can do short online courses in various fields such as Finance and Accounting, Sales and Business, Computer and Information Technology, and other specialized courses. Their postgraduate KEY programs, which stand for “Keep Educating Yourself,” offer classes that you can take at your convenience anytime, anywhere. You can inquire about them here.

Harvard University also offers free courses on a variety of subjects and fields, including Humanities, Business, Data Science, Art and Design, and Health and Medicine. These courses are fully online and can be completed in 7 to 15 weeks. You can look through the available courses here.

Save More: Budget Better

Whether you’re saving up to buy a house or setting aside funds for future travels, starting early always makes a difference. While there are plenty of ways to build your savings, it all begins with learning how to manage your money well.

Budgeting apps like Money Manager make this much easier by helping you track where your money goes. With features such as a double-entry accounting system, advanced budgeting tools, and the ability to save photos of receipts, it takes the guesswork out of managing your expenses.

Another smart move is opening a separate savings account so you’re less tempted to dip into your funds. Fintech app GCash makes this simple with GSave, which lets you open a savings account with one of its trusted bank partners directly from your phone. You can even set up automatic transfers every payday. On top of that, GSave offers competitive interest rates of up to 5.75% per year, helping your money grow while you work toward your goals.