13 January 2026

The New Year can be a powerful doorway into a more intentional, aligned version of yourself. Drawing inspiration from The Great Gatsby, this reimagined list of “resolutions” becomes less about perfection and more about daily practices that nourish your mind, body, and spirit.

Why Gatsby Still Matters

On the surface, The Great Gatsby is a story of glamorous parties and tragic love, but underneath sits a message about desire, discipline, and the cost of living in the past. While Jay Gatsby never got his happily-ever-after, he transformed his life through focus, vision, and a handwritten list of goals—ideas that can support your growth as you step into a new year.

Morning Rituals and Gentle Movement

Rising a little earlier can give you quiet, sacred space before the world needs anything from you. A consistent sleep and wake routine supports your mood and energy, especially when you resist the snooze button and begin the day with intention.

Moving your body regularly - walking, yoga, dancing, or sport—releases stress and reconnects you with yourself. Aim for movement several times a week that feels supportive rather than punishing and choose joyful activities if strict workouts do not appeal.

Learning, Work, and Creative Flow

Continuing to learn keeps your mind open and flexible, reminding you that growth is always possible. Courses, workshops, museums, and meaningful books can all feed your curiosity and sense of possibility.

Gatsby’s drive points to the importance of meaningful work, not just achievement. Reflect on what you are good at and what lights you up, then look for ways to bring more of that into your job, business, or volunteering, perhaps with the support of a coach or mentor if you feel stuck.

Gatsby reserved time for “inventions,” which in a modern context can be space for creativity. Painting, writing, baking, music, or crafting can all become gentle outlets for emotional processing and self-expression.

Joy, Confidence, and Time Well Spent

Wellness is not only about discipline; it also depends on joy and connection. Making time for play—whether through sports, hikes, or dance—nourishes your nervous system and strengthens friendships that uplift you.

Confidence grows from how you speak to yourself, how you care for your body, and who surrounds you. Kinder self-talk and simple calming rituals, such as breathwork or meditation, help you meet life with steadier emotions.

One of Gatsby’s most powerful ideas is conscious time use. Gently reducing numbing habits like endless scrolling makes room for activities that truly nourish you, so your days reflect what matters most.

Releasing Old Habits and Tending Your Space

In Gatsby’s era, smoking was common; today, other habits—overworking, sugar, or constant worry—often drain wellbeing. The New Year can be a compassionate checkpoint to notice what no longer serves you and to experiment with softer replacements such as walking, journaling, or calming tea.

Small upgrades in grooming and environment can also transform how you feel. Regular bathing, a flattering haircut, comfortable clothing, and a decluttered corner of your home can signal to your body that it is safe and worthy of care.

Reading, Money, and Roots

Reading strengthens empathy, focus, and inner reflection, turning quiet moments into opportunities for growth. A simple list of nourishing books—stories that inspire and titles that teach you something new—can make reading a steady companion in your healing journey.

Financial care is another quiet form of self-care. Saving even a small amount regularly can build a sense of safety and freedom, helping you direct resources toward what feels truly aligned, such as education or a future dream.

Gatsby did not turn his back on his family, reminding you that your roots can provide both strength and insight. Reflecting on what you’ve inherited allows you to honour what supports you and gently transform what you do not wish to carry into the future.

Living in the Present

Gatsby’s downfall was his inability to let go of an idealised past. Your growth journey asks you to learn from yesterday without becoming trapped there, returning repeatedly to the choices available at this moment.

Let this New Year be less about chasing a fantasy and more about creating a reality that feels kind, authentic, and sustainable—one aligned with your values, your body, and your heart.

Journaling Questions for Reflection

Using the article above as a reference, journal on these following questions to help enrich your approach to the year ahead:

1. Which part of Gatsby’s disciplined approach to life feels most supportive for the season you are entering now, and why?

2. Where in your life are you still trying to recreate the past, and what would it look like to gently shift your focus to the present moment instead?

3. What is one habit—physical, emotional, or spiritual—you feel ready to soften, and what nurturing practice could you put in its place?

4. How might you bring more meaning into your daily work or routines, even if nothing externally changes right away?

5. If you wrote your own “Gatsby-style” list for the coming year, what three soulful, realistic commitments would you include?