Make Your New Year’s Resolutions Fun

So That You’ll Actually Stick With Them

*Graphics created using gif art from Giphy.

It’s that time of the year! People are setting New Year’s Resolutions, arguing about the pointlessness of setting resolutions, declaring that linear time is fake anyway and that the new year puts unnecessary pressure on us to accomplish things, etc. 

If you are one to set resolutions, you might have hit snags over the years, and been confronted with feelings of disappointment at not being able to stick with your goals. Maybe you’ve wanted to put yourself out there more, but don’t have the confidence. Or you want to take care of your mental health, but find yourself doomscrolling through depressing news headlines into the wee hours of the morning. 

One problem may be that you’re fixated on what you want to achieve but overlook how you’re going to achieve it.

Making the process of accomplishing your goals fun and enjoyable can be crucial for sustaining your motivation long-term. Whether you’re hoping to make new friends, strengthen your current relationships or take care of yourself better, board games can help with incorporating your resolutions smoothly into your everyday life.

And if you’re not into setting resolutions, that’s fine too, because you can reap the benefits of board gaming at any time of the year.

Reduce screen time

You’ve seen the horrific numbers on your screen time trackers.

Many of us know the harmful effects of too much screen time – including disturbed sleep, added stress, physical strain on your eyes and bodies. Yet most of us find it hard to log off and end up spending more time on our digital devices than we’d like.

One way to ease the transition into a more analogue life is picking up a new, non-digital hobby. It could be anything from baking to gardening, something that would sufficiently engage you after your brain has been wrecked by the attention economy – though we’re obviously quite partial to board games.

If you’re struggling to find other regular players, many board games offer solo variants. Your passion for board games could also push you out of your comfort zone to meet new people, bringing us to our next point…

Expand your social network

Making friends can be hard, especially as an adult.

You’ll often hear advice to find events or interest groups centred around your interests. Platforms like Meetup or Facebook are great for finding board game events or game groups in your area. (Speaking from personal experience, my first foray into Dungeons & Dragons was with a group I met on Meetup!) 

This way, you already have something in common with the people you’re meeting, and the game acts as an icebreaker that can smooth out any awkwardness that might come with that first interaction.

We recommend starting with your local Boardgame Meetup group or website (for those based in Singapore, here and here). Small board game hangouts organised by individual gamers are also an option. They tend to be semi-public events catering to specific gaming niches (for instance, Joel Lim and his wife, who we spoke to about creating a safe space for beginner and female gamers here).

Reduce stress, laugh more

Board games can help you reduce stress and improve your overall well-being. Other than the fun you get from the game itself, the quality social time and reduced dependence on screens can help improve your mental health.

Endorphins produced when laughing or having fun during a game can boost your mood and release the stress and anxiety from your day-to-day life. Studies have also shown that board games can improve the understanding of knowledge and increase motivation.

Board games have also been shown to improve cognitive function and prevent Dementia, and have been incorporated into many health programmes over the years.

Connect with your family and friends

While you’re busy living your new life as a social butterfly, don’t forget your existing family and friends!

Board games are a fun bonding activity that can help you strengthen your existing relationships. Whether it’s exploring the ocean or dirt biking through a massive dust storm, they can put you in fantastical situations that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to experience with your loved ones.

Sometimes, these wondrous scenarios come with pretty competitive game objectives – bringing you closer as they reveal new aspects to your loved ones’ personalities you might not otherwise see.

Just getting to know each other better. (Image source: Tommy Siegel)

We hope you’ve gleaned some insight on how a fun medium like board games can help make achieving your goals enjoyable and sustainable!

Unless your New Year’s resolution is to stop buying board games. We can’t help you there.

What are some of your New Year’s Resolutions? Let us know in the comments!