First things first: Let's get physical
Okay, don’t exit the story – this is good, real advice. If you’re planning to spend the evening at home, you don’t want to find yourself feeling stuffy and bogged down by 7pm.
There was a reason we all loved our silly little walks in lockdown: they made us feel better. It’s a great idea to get outdoors for even just a stroll before settling in for the evening. The fresh air will leave you feeling revitalised and a little exercise-induced endorphins will make you happy (we learnt that from Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde).
If you’re in isolation and looking for a way to lift those serotonin levels for the afternoon, try an at-home workout. Thanks to COVID there are actually plenty of free workouts to choose from, including the MadFit Dance Party Workouts which are sure to have you feeling jazzy, if not out of breath, while Yoga With Adriene will have you feeling Zen.
Treat yourself
Life is but a series of small treats. The holiday season is an overall feast for the senses (and a nightmare for our wallets) but this is not the night to skip out on the luxury, whatever that means for you.
Maybe it means buying the $30 bottle of wine instead of a box of goon, or buying the fancy candle and taking a luxe bubble bath. If you’re a skincare fiend you can pick up a new face mask to pamper yourself for the evening.
The point is, think of something you would love to buy to make the night feel like a special occasion and (presuming it’s not going to break the bank) just treat yourself to it.
Enjoy your favourite foods
We mean it, enjoy all of them. Everyone has their own ideal night of eating (which is why I like to open Hinge conversations by asking what they would eat on death row. I also ask why would they be on death row, but that’s a point for another day).
If you’re a dessert lover, try to find something special like a fancy box of chocolates from Woolworths or, screw it, a whole cake from some artisanal bakery.
If you’re more of a savoury foodie, try ordering one classic standby and one new dish from your favourite restaurant to add a bit of adventure to the evening (hey! who said eating at home wasn't fun!) or make one of your classic comfort foods at home like mac 'n cheese or potato bake.
Reflect on your accomplishments
The fact that we will be entering the third year of the pandemic soon is very strange to try and comprehend. I’d call the last two years a fever dream, but that feels a little too on the nose.
So, I’ll just say this: you made it through the past year. And whether or not you think you did well, or ticked off everything you wanted to from this year's bucket list, the reality is that you and every other person has accomplished something this year.
You can simply spend a few minutes reflecting, or use the opportunity to begin a new gratitude journal for the New Year. Either way, taking a second to celebrate your achievements is important to keep the momentum going.
Set goals for 2022
While some are fond of New Year's Resolutions, we think it's a bit more fun to set snazzy goals that you actually want to achieve. It seems like the same thing, but a 'goal' is encouraging you to start doing something while a 'resolution' tends to be about stopping something. And we're not about that this year.
Your goals don't have to be huge. Maybe you want to take a pottery class, read more books or learn to make pasta from scratch. Think of the life you want to have in 2022 and write down goals that will help you achieve that life. Check out our guide to manifestation here.
Watch a New Year's Eve-worthy movie
You might have guessed from the fact that I watched About Time last year, but I’m a fan of top-tier romantic comedies. So, my advice for a NYE film to watch would be the aforementioned film or something like Bridget Jones’s Diary or While You Were Sleeping.
See below for some more ideas of the best movies to watch on New Year's Eve, but keep in mind that it comes down to personal preference. If you’re into horror movies do that instead.
- You've Got Mail (Netflix)
- The Age Of Adaline (Netflix)
- Holidate (Netflix)
- Dash & Lily (Netflix)
- While You Were Sleeping (Disney+)
- Waiting To Exhale (Disney+)
- Last Holiday (Disney+)
- Pretty Woman (Disney+)
- Happiest Season (Amazon Prime Video)
- When Harry Met Sally (Stan)
- About Time (Stan)
- Bridget Jones's Diary (Binge)
- New Year's Eve (Apple TV)
Schedule a phone call with a loved one
Okay, so you don't literally have to pencil it in. But if you know your mum will be around at 7pm or your friend in isolation will be around... the whole time... let them know you'd like to do a special NYE Face-Time to toast.
You can catch up earlier in the evening or be on the phone at midnight. Either way, it will keep you feeling connected.
Avoid social media
Unless you've got some serious super-powers, chances are you regularly reach for your phone to mindlessly scroll through the apps. Same. But New Year's Eve is not the night to be checking in and comparing your evening to others – especially if you’re not doing it solo by choice.
Give your eyes and your mind a break for the evening unless you’re SURE that checking Instagram isn’t going to upset you.
Tune in for the fireworks
This may seem lame and it's by no means a must-do (well, this whole list is just suggestions but you get the point) but watching the fireworks on-screen, or out your window depending on your locale, is just another way to add some special sparkle to your evening.
ABC will broadcast live from Sydney Harbour at 8.30pm AEDT - all the way until the firworks end at midnight.
However you celebrate your New Year's Eve, we hope you enjoy it! Bring on 2022 (she says, cautiously).
