This New Year’s Eve let’s skip the clichés. No more pretending we’ll go sugar-free or learn a new language in a week. Let’s focus on resolutions that genuinely matter, the ones that could make us smarter, kinder, and less prone to embarrassing ourselves online.

First up: stop believing everything you see on social media. 

We’ve all seen it: that viral post claiming some "miracle cure" for arthritis (spoiler alert: it’s always bananas or apple cider vinegar) or an outrageous “fact” about how chocolate burns more calories than running a marathon. These posts light up the comments section with debates that look like the love child of Google and midnight desperation.

Here’s a radical idea: let’s not fall for it. In 2025, instead of instantly hitting ‘share’ or typing “this is shocking!!!” in the comments, take a moment. Fact-check. Read past the clickbait headline. Ask yourself: does this sound like something a scientist would say, or something your aunt would write after her third glass of shiraz?

And while we’re at it, let’s stop accepting “a doctor said it,” as evidence. If that doctor doesn’t have a name, credentials, or a real study attached, it’s just noise. This year let’s commit to raising the bar. It’s not about being a buzzkill; it’s about protecting ourselves, and everyone else, from misinformation that breeds conspiracy theories, fights about the moon landing, and family WhatsApp debates that drag on until New Year’s Day.

Let’s make social media smarter in 2025: research before you share, ignore anything in Comic Sans, and remember that the truth usually has a source other than “a friend of a friend.” Fewer arguments, fewer eye rolls, and maybe even a world where your uncle doesn’t start every sentence with, “I saw a post about this…”

Next: let’s remember that Australia is the most multicultural country in the world and start acting like it. 

Enough with the posts that define “real Aussies” as people who love meat pies and Vegemite or think thongs (the footwear kind) are high fashion. This country is home to over 300 languages, countless cuisines, and a melting pot of stories that make it extraordinary.

So, here’s the challenge: ask questions instead of just nodding politely when someone shares a different perspective. Be curious. Engage. Imagine a world where we don’t shout each other down or retreat into echo chambers but instead say, “I hadn’t thought of it that way, tell me more.”

And while we’re here, let’s talk about the thrill of the chase

We all love quick answers. Who doesn’t feel a little rush when their phone serves up the solution to an argument in seconds? But sometimes, in our rush to resolve, we miss the magic of the journey.

Remember when debates stretched for days? When you’d wrack your brain trying to remember the actor from that movie, the one with the hats, the explosions, or the inexplicably blue lighting? It wasn’t just about finding the answer; it was about the shared experience of getting there, the banter, the wild guesses, the satisfaction of finally, gloriously, remembering.

This year let’s make room for a little uncertainty. Instead of Googling at the first sign of disagreement, let’s lean into the process. Be wrong. Change your mind. Let the question hang in the air long enough to spark an interesting conversation.

Because here’s the thing: instant answers give us facts, but debates give us stories. And maybe, just maybe, it’s the stories we’ll remember long after we’ve forgotten who starred in the movie. (For the record, it wasn’t Keanu Reeves or Brad Pitt. But does it matter?)

Finally, let’s focus on the resolutions that make life richer, one small step at a time

Instead of chasing grand resolutions that vanish by February, why not commit to the little things that keep us present and connected? Start with something simple but satisfying like tidying your digital life. Delete those apps you haven’t opened in months. Organise the photos that remind you of moments worth remembering. Unsubscribe from the endless stream of emails that no longer matter. By clearing out the digital noise, you make room for what truly does, your priorities, your memories, your peace of mind.

But let’s not stop there. This year let’s commit to something even more profound by making someone feel seen. Not with a rushed “thanks” or a thumbs-up emoji, but with an act that lingers in their heart. Record a voice memo, letting your words carry the warmth that a text never can. Slip a note into their book or leave a little card in their bag, something they’ll find unexpectedly, like a treasure. Even just two lines, something as simple as, “I see how hard you’re trying, and I admire it,” can be the light someone needs on a heavy day.

These aren’t grand, show-stopping gestures. They’re the quiet moments that remind us of what connection really means. They don’t demand much time or effort, but they carry a depth that stays with people long after the moment passes.

So, as we toast to 2025, let’s aim for resolutions that challenge us to grow, not just as individuals but as a community. Fact-check before you share. Celebrate our differences. Value a good conversation.

We won’t be perfect. We’ll forget, stumble, and occasionally hit ‘share’ before thinking. But even small steps towards being kinder, more thoughtful, and more connected could make the year ahead a little brighter. Now that’s a resolution worth keeping.