Single Women: Top 10 Habits to Make 2025 Your Best Year Yet

Your New Year’s resolution had failed by February.

So, it won’t help you make 2025 your best year yet.

If you really want to make changes, start with something small. Focus on doing it every day without fail. If you give it enough time, you’ll be surprised at how baby steps can make a big difference.

That’s what we call habits. 

In this article, I’ll share 10 habits that will improve your life as a single. I implemented these habits in my life, and in the 2 years that I have been single, my life has changed for the better. I have a new career, I’m healthier, and I have a clear vision.

Now, it’s time for you to do the same.

1. Get 8 Hours of Quality Sleep Each Night.

Let’s start with the basics: sleep.

You need 8 hours of sleep to function well. While some people can function well without 8 hours of sleep,  your body still deserves sleep to promote longevity.

Just like you pay attention to what you eat, your sleep habits play a huge role in determining your basic drive in life. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t understand this, according to Matthew Walker, PhD, the author of Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams.

Forget the “you can sleep when you die” mindset. Making 2025 your best year yet will be a long journey. You need all the energy you can get.

You don’t need to suffer to make a big change in your life. Just set goals and take the right actions every day. You’ll make progress as long as you put in the work. 

Don’t fall into vanity metrics such as “How many hours do you work daily?”

Working longer hours doesn’t mean you are more productive. Are you focusing on the right tasks? Can you achieve the same results in fewer hours?

When you’re well-rested, you can tackle difficult tasks more effectively. Meanwhile, when you’re sleep-deprived, handling the simplest tasks can feel like climbing Mount Everest.

2. Fuel Your Body with Balanced Meals.

Food is like fuel for a car. Imagine using the wrong fuel; even a Ferrari wouldn’t run well. That’s how important it is to eat healthy, balanced meals every day.

Healthy food doesn’t need to be expensive. A quick Google search will help you find quick, healthy recipes.

As a guide, think of your plate as a colorful canvas. Healthy food means your plate has a vibrant mix of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. If your food isn’t colorful, you need to rotate your choices.

You don’t need to be obsessed with eating super healthy all the time. Instead, focus on moderation: Keep an eye on your sugar intake, and try to avoid fast food as much as possible. If you find yourself overindulging in something unhealthy, simply cut back on it for a week or a month.

Additionally, you can have a cheat day if you want. This is a day when you can eat fast food or something else that you usually avoid. Depending on your situation, your cheat day can be once a week or once a month.

Choosing the right diet is more like communicating with yourself. The more you pay attention, the more you learn about your health. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about giving your body what it deserves.

3. Move Your Body Daily.

When we exercise, our body releases endorphins, often referred to as “feel-good” hormones. These chemicals can help reduce pain and improve mood.

Don’t believe me? 

Try engaging in a physical activity every time you feel down. You don’t have to do hardcore weightlifting like a fitness freak. Put in your earbuds and play your favorite podcast. Thirty minutes of walking won’t feel like a chore.

If you’re not in the mood for walking, or if it’s too cold outside, be creative about moving your body indoors. My go-to idea is to sing and dance while playing my favorite song. Twenty minutes of this will pump your blood and prepare you for the rest of your day.

However, it’s better to dedicate your time to exercise. You can try different things: Zumba, kickboxing, yoga, Pilates, swimming, or lifting weights. Or you can rotate different exercises now and then to avoid boredom.

Start with once a week. Once you get used to that schedule, make it twice a week. Through trial and error, you can find an exercise schedule that works best for you.

Exercise isn’t just for weight loss or getting fit for summer. It’s something your body needs, just like healthy food and sleep.

4. Read a Book Every Month.

This isn’t the sexiest habit, but every successful person is a reader.

Why?

Because reading is food for thought.

Just like your body needs nutritious food, your brain needs qualified input. This will keep you ahead of the curve so you can make the most of your life.

If you don’t take the time to educate yourself, your perspective won’t grow. In 10 years, you might feel that your brain isn’t as sharp as it used to be.

Some people will argue that they prefer to learn differently, such as by watching videos, taking online courses, or listening to podcasts. Sure, different forms of learning can complement and even enhance reading, but they can’t fully replace it.

Deep, focused reading encourages you to slow down, which enhances critical thinking, detailed comprehension, and personal reflection. It allows you to learn directly from the author’s perspective. In contrast, listening to reviews on YouTube or podcasts adds the reviewer’s interpretation to the mix.

You don’t need to be a super nerd to get value from reading. Blocking out 20 minutes a day to read is enough to give your brain new ideas.

You can design your reading schedule to your liking. For example, I read for an hour every workweek before I go to sleep and don’t read on the weekend.

Which book should you start with?

If you’re not a reader, start with something fun to ensure you have a good experience. Re-reading your Harry Potter novels can be a good idea to get started. Once you’re in the reading groove, you can incorporate a self-help book to grow your mindset. 

Then, you can read anything you want: how to manage your money, how to deal with your inner child’s wounds, how to go on dates, etc.

Ask yourself what questions you have in mind and do a quick Google search to find the hottest book on that topic.

5. Set Goals and Break Them Down into Daily Actions.

Making 2025 your best year yet won’t happen automatically.

You have to make it happen.

But how?

By setting goals and putting in the work every day.

You can use SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Let’s use real-life examples of implementing this idea.

Maybe, you want to revamp your finances this year by building emergency savings. After researching, you decide to save $15,000, which covers three months of expenses. It’s time to implement this SMART approach to your goal.

Specific: Save $15,000 in a savings account.

Measurable: Set aside $500 each month.

Achievable: Based on your budget, saving $500 monthly is feasible.

Relevant: Building an emergency fund is crucial for financial stability.

Time-Bound: Reach your $15,000 goal within 30 months. If you start on January 1, 2025, you’ll have $15,000 in your savings account by June 30, 2027.

Now, you can break this down even further into your daily action plan. Your daily action can look like this: Choose the day you open a dedicated savings account, have a daily budget, and, every time you get your paycheck, make sure you contribute to building your savings before you pay your bills and spend on everything else.

To make it fun, let’s set some milestones.

You’ll have 3 milestones: $5k, $10k, and $15k. Once you achieve $5,000 in your savings, treat yourself to a nice dinner. Set another reward for the next milestone. It doesn’t have to be a splurge, but make sure it’s something that makes you happy.

Without milestones, you might lose interest during your 30-month savings journey. Breaking your goal into smaller milestones provides quick wins to celebrate along the way. This keeps you motivated and engaged.

You can apply the SMART approach to any goal. With this clear roadmap, you’ll stay focused on the next actionable step, and the rest will fall into place.

6. Have a “No Complaints Day.”

Who wants to hang out with Debbie Downer? Nobody.

Debbie Downer always shares depressing news or makes gloomy comments, no matter the context.

If you’re dealing with a person like this in a professional or social setting, you should steer the conversation toward more positive topics.

But what if Debbie Downer is inside your head? She’s a little voice that always sees life from a negative point of view. That inner voice will drag you down. In that case, you can say goodbye to 2025 because it won’t be your best year.

This year, let’s establish a “No Complaints Day.” This is a practical way to shift your focus toward positivity.

Make it fun, like a game.

Set a rule for no complaining for an entire day. This includes everything you say and think. Every time you catch yourself complaining, pinch yourself. Note how many times you complain in a day. 

You can turn this into a challenge! Start with a “No Complaints Monday” and see how it goes. The next week, try “No Complaints Monday and Tuesday.” Gradually add more days until you have a full week of no complaining.

Hopefully, the longer you play this game, the more your “complaining score” will decrease.

7. Practice Mindfulness Daily.

If you live in a bustling city, you’re probably familiar with honking. Everyone is rushing, and it feels like there’s not enough time in the day.

Compare this to when you’re hiking, or listening to the sound of the river. How do you feel in the latter situations?

You feel calm and refreshed.

Fortunately, you don’t need to hike or live near a river to feel calm and refreshed. If you practice mindfulness, you can feel calm in your mind in the middle of chaos.

Why do we need to practice mindfulness?

Mindfulness helps us reduce stress and stay focused on tasks. You can think better when you’re calm and grounded. In the long run, it will improve the quality of your life.

Let’s try the simplest way to practice mindfulness.

Sit calmly, put your phone on airplane mode, and set a timer for 10 minutes. Inhale and count to 4, hold your breath for 4 seconds, and exhale while counting to 4. Do this 3 times or until you feel calmer.

Then ask yourself: How do I feel in this moment?

Focus on your breathing, and check on your feelings until your alarm goes off.

You can practice mindfulness anywhere: after lunch, while sitting in a coffee shop, etc.

Make mindfulness part of your daily routine. After a while, you’ll feel something different within you. You’ll have more empathy, more self-awareness, and a clearer mind.

8. Limit Your Screen Time.

Do you complain that you don’t have enough time to do what you want?

Or that the days fly by and you lose track of time?

Let me tell you where your time is going: to the screen. If you check your phone, you’ll be surprised at how many hours you spend watching what others are doing with their lives.

I spend 6 hours a day on YouTube alone. This doesn’t include my screen time when I work. That sucks!

So, this year, it’s time to chip away at your screen time and live your life. Here are some tips:

• Use built-in screen time trackers to set daily limits. Lock the apps once your time is up.
• Take regular breaks from screens to rest your eyes. Challenge yourself to go outside without your phone.
• Minimize distractions by turning off non-essential notifications. See how your anxiety level takes a nose dive once those notification sounds are gone.
• Designate certain areas, like the bedroom, as screen-free zones. Keep your phone in another room. Keep a real book or your journal on your desk instead.
• Find activities that don’t involve screens. Talk to someone in person instead of via chatting.

9. Do a Random Act of Kindness Every Day.

One rule that always holds true is: You get back what you put in.

Life is a mirror that returns to you whatever you do to others. If you have a negative mindset, you’ll have a bad day. If you never think about others, well, nobody will give a damn about you.

This year, use this rule to your advantage.

Make it your daily goal to perform small acts of kindness. Believe that the kindness you give will come back to you in unexpected ways.

You don’t have to be rich or have a heart like a saint to do this. Here are examples of ways Ordinary Joes like you can do something nice:

• Say “Have a nice day” to the barista who made your coffee. 
• When you walk through a door, hold it open for the person behind you.
• Smile and say “Good morning” to the security guard in your office or apartment building.
• Call your parents and ask about their day.
• If you like someone’s clothes, compliment them.

But won’t people think you’re weird?

Maybe at first. But once they see you’re genuinely kind and not expecting anything in return, they’ll understand that being nice is just who you are.

However, be sure to set boundaries and avoid being taken advantage of. Being kind doesn’t mean you have to please everyone or sacrifice your own needs. Be nice because you want to, not to create an image. Also, remember that it’s okay to say no when needed.

10. Say “NO” More Often.

Another year has passed. If you regularly put others’ needs before your own, 2025 is the perfect time to shake things up. This year, let yourself say “NO” and start living life on your terms.

Start small. For example, if you’re in the office and your co-workers ask you to go for lunch, but you’re in the mood to have lunch by yourself, say NO.

It might feel awkward at first, but soon you’ll learn that saying “NO” isn’t that bad. You can catch up with your colleagues another day.

Saying “NO” will create space to do what you want. Also, you will teach others to respect your boundaries. If you say it nicely, no one will be offended.

When you start saying “NO” more often, people begin to understand and adjust their expectations. And when you say “YES,” they’ll know it’s because you really want to and will enjoy it.

Unfortunately, Things Won’t Be as Easy as You Thought.

Establishing new habits takes time. Some people say it takes 21 days to make a habit stick. Some say 90 days. From experience, I can say, “It depends.”

If you try to adopt habit #9 in the list and you are already a nice person, it will be easier to do something nice for others every day.

On the other hand, if you dislike exercise but want to change that this year, it might take time to get moving and sweating.

Here is a game plan for making your new habits stick:

• Pick one habit you want to establish.
• Make it enjoyable.

If you want to start exercising and don’t like lifting weights, pick something else. Maybe a hip-hop dancing class will be more fun.

• Prepare your mini-habit.

Not a fan of reading but want to start reading? Set your first target to read for 15 minutes. But also set your mini-habit: 1 minute of reading.

This is ridiculous, I know, but we’re focusing on establishing the habits first. On good days, you’ll read for 15 minutes. On bad days (and they will happen), you’ll read for 1 minute.

• Track your daily score.

Track your score, whether you do your full habit or the mini one. The mini habit will help you keep going on your journey.

• Evaluate your progress every quarter.

Be prepared for setbacks. You might not always succeed in establishing your habit. If you slip up, just brush it off and keep going. Focus on the progress you’re making, not on the failures.

You’ll know something has become a habit if you don’t do it and you feel like you’re missing something in your day.

In reality, it will take more than a year to adopt all of the habits mentioned here. If one habit takes 3 months to stick, it will take 30 months to adopt them all. That’s about 2.5 years.

Too long?

Not really if we’re talking about 2.5 years and changing your life entirely. Good things take time. Focus on your journey and enjoy the process. After 6 months, you’ll likely notice changes in your life, which will boost your motivation to keep moving forward.

Now, it’s time to pick your first habit and get started!