4 New Year’s Resolutions for Dancers You’ll Actually Stick To

Every January, we start with the best intentions.

Train harder. Be more flexible. Get stronger. Be better.

And by February? Most of those resolutions are already gone.

The problem with most New Year’s resolutions isn’t motivation — it’s that they’re too big.

They ask us to completely overhaul our routine, our mindset, and our schedule all at once. And that’s just not realistic, especially for dancers who already give so much of themselves.

For dancers, New Year’s resolutions often focus on training harder or fixing everything at once, which can lead to burnout instead of real progress.

Real change doesn’t come from doing everything differently.

It comes from doing one small thing consistently.

When you’re making resolutions this year, look for changes that:

• Fit into your current day

• Don’t require extra hours

• Feel supportive instead of exhausting

  
  

Small habits done often will always beat big plans done once.

Here are 4 sustainable New Year’s resolutions for dancers that are attainable, supportive, and easy to maintain.

1. Spend 10 Minutes After Class Journaling to Support Your Dance Training

Not a full diary. Not pages and pages of writing. Just 10 minutes after class.

Write down:

• One win from the day

• One thing you struggled with

• Any corrections you received

• Your energy level

• One thing you want to work on before the next class

Writing things down helps dancers notice patterns over time — energy levels, recurring corrections, and progress that’s easy to miss week to week.

This does two powerful things:

1. It helps you process dance class instead of carrying everything in your head

2. It turns corrections into information instead of self-criticism

You don’t need perfect wording. Bullet points are enough. The goal is reflection, not perfection.

If you want to learn more about how journaling can support your growth as a dancer, I explain it more in detail here:

👉 https://www.avdancedesigns.com/post/how-to-use-the-ultimate-dance-journal

If you’re looking for a simple, dancer-focused way to keep this habit consistent, you can find the dance journals I’ve created with this exact purpose in mind here:

👉 https://www.avdancedesigns.com/dancer-products

2. Thank Your Body in the Mirror During Dance Class

Most dancers use the mirror to find everything that needs fixing.

This year, try something different.

At least once during every dance class, look in the mirror and mentally thank your body for how hard it’s working.

Thank it for:

• Showing up tired and still trying

• Learning new choreography

• Holding balances

• Getting you through another class

It’s easy to focus only on what needs to improve. But constant negativity disconnects you from your body instead of helping you get better.

Gratitude doesn’t mean lowering standards.

It means creating a healthier relationship with your body while you train.

3. Change One Small Habit at Home to Support Your Dance Training

You don’t need more studio hours to improve. You need better habits woven into your day.

Choose one small habit and stick to it:

• Do relevés while brushing your teeth

• Review choreography 3 times a week for 10 minutes

• Do 30 squats every time you walk into the kitchen

• Balance on one leg while waiting for the kettle to boil

That’s it. Just one habit.

Small actions done consistently will always beat big plans that never happen.

Small habits like these are often easier to stick to because they don’t require extra time — just a little intention. I talk more about how dancers can build sustainable habits at home in this post:

👉 https://www.avdancedesigns.com/post/dance-habits

Having something simple to follow can make small habits easier to keep. I’ve created a page with dance training videos designed for at-home use, so you can fit extra training into your day without overthinking it.

👉 https://www.avdancedesigns.com/dance-training-videos

4. Talk to Yourself Like a Coach, Not a Critic in Dance Class

Pay attention to how you speak to yourself in class.

Would you say those words to a someone you care about?

Instead of:

• “I’m so bad at this”

Try:

• “This needs more time and practice”

Instead of:

• “Why can’t I get it?”

Try:

• “What’s one thing I can adjust?”

Corrections are not proof that you’re failing. They’re proof that you’re learning.

Changing your self-talk takes time, but awareness alone can shift how confident and safe you feel while training.

A Gentle Reminder for the New Year

You don’t need extreme goals to be a better dancer. You don’t need to change everything at once. These New Year’s resolutions for dancers focus on building healthy habits, a supportive mindset, and a more sustainable relationship with dance training.

Start small. Stay consistent. And give yourself room to grow without burning out.