13 simple ways to reset for 2025–and the products that can help you do it

Think of the new year as an opportunity to refresh.
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Raise your hand if the past year has felt like a decade and a minute all at once. As parents, it always feels like a little bit of both, doesn’t it?
But whether 2024 was marked with success, challenges, bright spots or dark valleys, as the year comes to a close, we’re thinking ahead to what we want to manifest in 2025. (Ahem, perhaps a Mr. Travis Swift? If only we were so powerful.)
But forget New Year’s resolutions. That just puts another thing on your to-do list. Instead, we like to think of the entire year as an opportunity to refresh. Whether that means finally organizing the closet that’s always a disaster or establishing a daily meditation habit, making a budget (and sticking to it!) or getting time with your partner to reconnect at the end of the day, how you refresh is up to you.
You don’t need to buy a thing, but in case you want a New Year gift for yourself or a friend, we’ve shared our favorites.
Looking for more gift ideas? Check out all of our holiday gift guides!
If you need a little inspiration, here are 13 steps (and new year gifts!) to reset for the new year.
1. Write down your to-do list
Research has found that writing out your to-do list helps you to reduce your stress levels while also getting more done! So, spend some time jotting it down in a way that works for you.
2. Create a ritual for yourself
Can you carve out a few minutes a today to fill with a little ritual of self-care? It can be anything you want; the only rule is it needs to be more-or-less the same each day, so you can grow to rely on it.
3. Sleep
There is this prevailing idea in our culture that to rest is to be unproductive—and it couldn’t be further from the truth. Rest IS productive. It is healing and necessary and you deserve it. And while we know that’s often easier said than done, we do have some products that can help!
4. Listen to your body
Take a moment and listen to your body—really listen. Is there a specific food it’s craving? I mean beyond chocolate and Cheetos because yes, please. In our go-go-go society, we often forget to take a moment to check in with our bodies. But our bodies are so wise! Stop, listen and be amazed.
5. Move your body
Fitting in a daily workout can sound like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. After all, the internet has given us the “Silent Walk” which is really just a universal title for something we’ve done (mostly when we’re overstimulated AF and just.need.a.break) for literal generations. We also know that walking is the best exercise and there are even apps that will pay you actual money to do it. (In this economy? Yes please.)
Moving your body doesn’t require equipment or a gym membership. It doesn’t even require leaving your house. Family dance party anyone?
Related: 3 ways to upgrade boring family activities to get kids moving
6. Hydrate!
According to one study, 75% of adults don’t drink enough water. Yikes! Let’s change that by making sure we get eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Not only does proper hydration help increase energy and fight fatigue, it can also help you get better sleep in the first place. It also helps improve your mood, skin, and overall health. Basically, it’s the foundation for everything, so drink up, mama!
7. Make that appointment you’ve been putting off
Honesty time (without an ounce of judgment, promise). When was the last time you got a pap smear? How about a breast exam? And the dentist? Taking care of ourselves so often falls to the bottom of our list, but mama, do you have any idea how important you are? Commit to taking care of yourself. Find a perpetual calendar (or use your phone) and keep track of the dates when you will get your routine screening, tests, vaccines and more. (And then, remember to actually go.)
Psst: Start this resolution off with a trip to your general practitioner. Recommendations vary per person, and they can help you determine when you need to be seen.
Related: The 5 doctor appointments to make for yourself each year
8. Organize that one spot that drives you crazy
Everybody has one. The spot on the counter where mail and kid detritus goes to die. The entryway that somehow always looks like you’re hosting a rager. The hall closet that might even have a pack of diapers lurking inside even though your kid started second grade this year. You know the spot I’m talking about. The one that’s always a mess no matter what you seem to do. This year, make it a priority to fix it.
9. Stress less about your money
Yes, obviously easier said than done, right? But when it comes to money, knowledge is power. And you don’t have to be a math whiz or an accountant to understand what’s up. There are tools for that!
10. Make time to connect
Of course, an adults-only vacation to a tropical island is ideal, but it’s 1. Not realistic and 2. Not a requirement for finding quiet time together. A night of take-out after the kids go to bed is lovely. And even if you’re completely toasted after a day of the usual madness, we’ve got some tricks to spark excitement and get some fresh energy slowing.
11. Wear sunscreen
Ok, so this one is more of a directive. Sunscreen. It’s a non-negotiable. For one thing, more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined. About 90 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers are associated with exposure to UV rays, and just five sunburns over the course of your lifetime doubles the risk of melanoma. You’ve amassed hours chasing your little ones around and slathering them with the stuff. Your skin needs it too. And if making it a habit is hard because it all feels gross and pasty, well then you just haven’t found the right stuff yet. That’s where we can help.
Related: 11 best mineral sunscreens for your whole family (that really work)
12. Create a meditative habit that feels right for you
For many of us, the idea of meditation can feel intimidating—even if there is no denying its many benefits. If you want to take baby steps toward creating a meditative practice, start by reframing it as an opportunity to rest and breathe. Or tap into a meditative mental space while doing a gentle yoga flow.
13. Set your intentions
We all start the year off with the best of intentions. But without keeping them in view, they can easily fade to the background as more “pressing” matters come up. Center yourself as you look ahead and prepare yourself to follow through on the intentions that mean the most to you by putting them down on paper.