New year, new me!

New year, new me!

Belki Martinez

start

let’s talk

Read the statements below.Use the scale from 1 to 5 to indicate how much you agree or disagreewith each one,where 1 means"completely disagree" and 5 means"completely agree." After marking your choice, explain why you chose that rating.

New Year's resolutions are nothing more than a marketing gimmick to sell self-help books and gym memberships. Spontaneity and living in the moment are far more fulfilling than sticking to a rigid plan forthe year. Failing to set goals at the start of the year demonstrates a lack of vision, ambition, and clear direction. People who set ambitious New Year's resolutions are setting themselves up for failure and disappointment. If you really want to change, you don’t need to wait forthe NewYear – any day can be your new beginning. Making plans for the year ahead takes the fun out of life; we should just see where life takes us instead.

let’s talk

1. Have you ever considered making a similar resolution for yourself? 2. How might incorporating this resolution into your life positively influence you? 3. Are there any specific steps you would take to implement this resolution? 4. Can you share a personal story related to this type of resolution?

let’s read

Carefully read the text and select the most appropriate title for each paragraph.

"What’s the point of making goals if we can’t feel happy once we reach them?". While I’m a sucker for personal growth, and I write (and talk) about getting healthier and happier for my job, I’m saying “thank you, next”to New Year’s resolutions. The foundation of New Year’s resolutions is change — lose weight, work out more, get a promotion,save more money — and glorifying change might tell your brain that you’re not good enough as you are (“new year, new me”..? What’s so wrong with the old me!?). Plus, according to U.S.News & World Report, 80 percent of New Year’s resolutions fail by February.

a) Create a list ofthings you’re looking forward to this year

b) Choose aword or affirmation for the newyear

c) Book a vacation

What to Do Instead of New Year’s Resolutions:

d) Spend more timewith loved ones

1. _______________________________________ Record everything you’re excited about from now until 2028. Do you have a friend’s wedding, a big life change, or a fun birthday celebration? What about the little things, like a new season of your favourite TV show or even smaller things, like the changing ofthe seasons orrecipes you’re excited to cook?

e) Set differentthemesfor every month

f) Make a vision board

g) Create a list ofwhat you love about yourself and yourlife

2. ________________________________________ Whether in your career, relationships, or happiness and wellness, you can probably see a big difference from where you were this time last year. Instead of focusing on what to accomplish next,celebrate how far you’ve come, knowing that you’re doing better than you think.

h) Record the lessons you learned in 2025

let’s read

3. ________________________________________ The new year doesn’t have to be about change; it should also be about celebration. Treat yourself to a getaway whenever you can take some PTO (Paid Time Off), whether it’s that Europe trip you’ve always dreamed about, a long weekend in a nearby city, or a summer staycation.

a) Create a list ofthings you’re looking forward to this year

b) Choose aword or affirmation for the newyear

4. _________________________________________ Instead of committing to new things to do, commit to the loved ones who are already in your life. Call your mum more often, plan more weekend brunches with your best friend, and fit in weekly date nights with your significant other. After all, maybe achieving “happiness”isn’t about whatwe don’t have yet but what we already have that we need more of.

c) Book a vacation

d) Spend more timewith loved ones

e) Set differentthemesfor every month

5. _________________________________________ Resolutions are often focused on the “doing,” or the actions you need to take. Instead, focus on the person you want to be and the life you want to have. Create a vision board displaying what you want, whether it’s in your career, your love life, your home environment, or just how you see your truest self. Set up the vision board in a location you’ll look at often and add to it as your dreams develop.

f) Make a vision board

g) Create a list ofwhat you love about yourself and yourlife

h) Record the lessons you learned in 2025

let’s read

6. _________________________________________ Screwchanging — you’re already pretty great as you are. Make a list of everything you love about yourself as if you were writing a love letter. Also, record what’s going well in your life. Goal setting is important for growth, but what’s the point of making goals if we can’t feel happy once we reach them?

a) Create a list ofthings you’re looking forward to this year

b) Choose aword or affirmation for the newyear

7._________________________________________ Instead of resolutions for a whole year, dedicate each month to a theme. For example, January’s focus could be adding more plants to your diet, February’s focus is finding workouts you love, and March might be about focusing on your finances to save more money. 30 days of exploration and intention feel a lot more achievable (and fun!) than 365 days to reach a specific goal.

c) Book a vacation

d) Spend more timewith loved ones

e) Set differentthemesfor every month

f) Make a vision board

8. _________________________________________ Choose a word or affirmation to summarize what you want your focus or vision to be this year. Is it health, balance, happiness, self-love, gratitude, connection, or confidence? Find a focus for the year, and you’ll subconsciously be making thousands of choices to reach a huge goal. Write it down, hang it on your mirror, and make it the wallpaper on your phone until you start to think of everything in terms of your 2026 affirmation.

g) Create a list ofwhat you love about yourself and yourlife

h) Record the lessons you learned in 2025

let’stalk

Complete the sentences with your own ideas. Then, discuss the responses with your teacher.

A few of the lessons I learned in 2025 that will guide me in 2026 are __________________________

A small but meaningful way I can improve my everyday life this year is________________________

If I were to write a letter to my future self, I would remind myself to __________________________

Something I want to let go of this year because it no longer serves me is_______________________

A list of things I am looking forward to this year includes____________________________________

The one habit I want to nurture this year to bring me joy is __________________________________

let’stalk

Select one affirmation from each category that resonates with you. Share and discuss your choices with your teacher.

Career and Ambitions

Relationships and Social Life

Personal Growth

1. I attract positive and supportive people.
2. I am worthy of love and respect.
3. I communicatewith kindness and clarity.
4. My relationships are built on trust and care.
5. I am a good listener and a thoughtful friend.

1. I am becoming the best version of myself.
2. Every day, I grow stronger and wiser.
3. I am enough, just asI am.
4. My small steps lead to big progress.
5. I am open to newpossibilities.

1. I am capable of achieving great things.
2. My work has value and meaning.
3. I am confident in my abilities.
4. Opportunities are always within my reach.
5. I am building a future I’m proud of.

Health and Well-Being

Mindset and Resilience

1. I honour my body and mind with care.
2. My health is my priority, and I nurture it daily.
3. Ichoose foods and habits that energise me.
4. I allow myself to rest when I need it.
5. My mental health matters, and I support it.

Creativity and Hobbies

1. I can handle anything that comes my way.
2. I releasewhat I cannot control.
3. I am resilient, and I bounce back from challenges.
4. My mindset is my greatest strength.
5. I choose gratitude over fear

1. I enjoy exploring my creative side.
2. My hobbies bring me peace and joy.
3. I allow myself to make time for fun.
4. Every day is a chance to create something beautiful.
5. I embrace my unique talents and passions.

Extra activity

For example:

• If you choose “Plan small monthly challenges...”, write a list of challenges for each month.

• If you choose “Identify habits you want to continue or build upon in 2025”, list the habits you want to focus on.

• If you choose “Create a vision board with images and words that inspire you ”, describe or sketch the key elements you 'd include.

• If you choose “Write a letter to your future self...”, compose a short letter.

Be creative and detailed in your response, explaining why you chose this option and how it could benefit you.

Choose one option from the list of alternatives provided. Think about which idea resonates with you the most. Based on your choice,create something practical and specific.

Create a list ofthings you’re looking forward to this year.Choose a word or affirmation for the new year.Create a list ofwhat you love about yourself and your life.Set different themes for every month.Record the lessons you learned in 2025.Make a gratitude list of everything you appreciated in the past year.Identify habits youwantto continue or build upon in 2026.Write a letter to your future self to read at the end of the year.Create a vision board with images and words that inspire you forthe year ahead.Plan small monthly challenges to try something new or step out ofyour comfort zone.

Look at the document and describe it. Answer with key words

What type of document is it?What is the title of this document? What do you think is the subject? Name one or two actors ?

Match the synonyms.

Quit _____cut down on_____ Keep doing_____ try harder in/at____ start____ higher part of your leg____ peace with yourself____

continue (a)stop (b) reduce (c) begin (d) give more effort in/at (e) inner poise thigh

classify these resolutions into three categories, then rephrase using the expressions above. What can you deduce about this person?

Work

Health

Looks

I think this person is____

Exercise 1: Match the word with the definition

Vocabulary

Hangover Blind date To quit Awkward Buffet

Exercise 3: Choose the best option Circle the correct answer. A barrister is a person who: a) cooks curry b) works as a lawyer in court c) serves food at a buffet A high-flying person is: a) lazy b) very successful c) very shy A lush is someone who: a) drinks too much alcohol b) never drinks alcohol c) owns a bar

a) A meal where people serve themselvesb) Uncomfortable or embarrassing c) A bad feeling after drinking too much alcohol d) To stop doing something e) A date with someone you have never met before

Exercise 2: Complete the sentences Choose the correct word from the list. (quit – awkward – give up – patronizing – mutter) He decided to ______ his job at the end of the year. The silence was very ______. She wants to ______ eating junk food this year. His tone sounded ______ and made people uncomfortable. He began to ______ something under his breath.

Speaking Activity Choose one word and create a short situation using it. Example: “A blind date can be awkward if people don’t know what to say.”

Listening: Video

While-Listening: The Video

Watch the first 30 seconds. Don’t focus on the words, focus on the eyes. Question: How does Bridget feel about Mark when she first sees him? How does that feeling change exactly 10 seconds later?

Comprehensive Questions

1. What kind of event are they attending?
2. What is distinct about the jumper Mark is wearing?
3. Bridget tries to make small talk about her New Year’s resolutions. What are her two main “bad habits”?
4. Mark lists three reasons why he isn’t interested in Bridget.

Complete his sentences: “I don’t think we’d work. She smokes like a _________.” “She drinks like a _________.” “And she dresses like _________.”

let’splay!

Speaking

Writing Assignment using AI

Thanks

https://enghub.pro/tips-to-keep-your-new-years-resolutions-b2-c1-lesson-plan/attachments/teachers_version