Want an idea for a meaningful New Year's resolution? Here's six

I hate to admit it, but most New Year’s resolutions I’ve ever made have failed by February. The “new year, new me” ordeal typically revolves around quitting unhealthy habits and exercising more. While these are great personal goals, why not choose one outwardly focused goal for this year?  

My challenge to you is to choose one ethical or meaningful resolution for 2022. Sticking to a resolution that you’re passionate about, makes it more achievable and realistic to sustain. So, how can we aim to make more ethical decisions that help to look after our people and planet this year? 

Here are some ideas!  

When you want to buy something new, choose to support ethical and sustainable fashion brands.

1. Say goodbye to fast fashion.

This is where cheap, trendy clothing takes ideas from popular culture and rapidly turns them into garments in high street stores. These clothes are seen as disposable when the newest trend comes around. When you want to buy something new, choose to support ethical and sustainable fashion brands. A great place to start is on Fair and Good’s ethical shopping directory. Or, you could set a limit on how many pieces of clothing you buy each month or year. Did you know that 220,800 tonnes of clothing textiles are sent to landfills each year in Aotearoa? Or, that 98% of garment workers are underpaid? By changing our shopping habits little by little, we can make an impact on the producers of our clothes and the environment. 

Instead of buying gifts that aren't things, why not buy someone an experience?

2. Choose to buy gifts that aren't things.

Instead of purchasing more commodities, why not buy experiences for people instead? For example, a movie ticket, or a restaurant voucher to support a local Kiwi business. If you’re stuck for gift ideas, our Gift for Life product range at Tearfund is a charity catalogue filled with unique and meaningful gifts that Kiwis can purchase to support people and projects overseas. Click here to check out our full product range! 

Why not pay a few extra dollars to support Fair Trade certified food?

3. Buy Fairtrade products when possible!

In your average New Zealand supermarket, bananas, chocolate and coffee always have a Fairtrade option. Why not pay a few extra dollars to support Fair Trade certified food? The benefits of buying Fairtrade products are life-changing for producers, as it provides safe working conditions for workers and improves their quality of life, ensures high-quality products, and encourages environmentally friendly practices for farmers.
 

Grow your own vegetable garden.

4. Try buying less plastic!

One simple idea is to start growing vegetables or herbs. Not only are you saving money, but you’re also loving on the planet by minimising plastic consumption. There’s also something rewarding about eating what you’ve grown, and you’ve just got yourself a new hobby. Another idea to minimise your plastic use is establishing a more sustainable beauty regime. Instead of buying products in plastic bottles, why not hunt down organic, natural products and replace the plastic packaging with alternatives where possible. For example, shampoo bars, or deodorant sticks. 

Join Tearfund's advocate network.

5. Volunteer your time!

Establish a goal for a cause you’re passionate about and volunteer some of your time. Time is one of the most precious things you can give. Join Tearfund’s advocate network, where you can be a part of what we do! Click here to find out more. 

Asking questions grows your understanding and impacts the way others think.

6. Simply start asking questions.

You can create important conversations and impact the way others think. Whether you’re buying a new pair of jeans, or your morning coffee, why not ask the staff where they source their products and how they’re made? A great place to start is our Ethical Fashion Report. 

I hope you are inspired to take up the challenge of achieving a meaningful resolution this year! It may not seem like you’re making a massive difference, but it’s not about doing everything, it’s about doing something.