The tradition of setting personal growth goals and firm commitments at the start of the year has been around since the early 19th century. A lot has changed since then, but what hasn’t changed is that the promises you make to yourself in the comfort of your notes app are often tough to keep.
Let Calgary be the guiding force behind this betterment, and stay on track as you take in what the city has to offer.
GET FIT
While rushing to get a gym membership might be the most common way people start their fitness journey, Calgarians have many other creative ways to stay active.
Getting fit is better with others, and that is why joining a recreational league through Calgary Sport and Social Club could be what you need to accomplish your resolutions. Social clubs are a great way to make connections while staying fit. From pickleball and curling to cornhole and lawn bowling, these leagues offer an easy way to stay active while meeting new people.
If team experiences are striking your fancy, consider joining a Dragon Boat team and becoming a regular at the Glenmore Reservoir. The hard work and strength required for this on-the-water team sport reward you with beautiful views and a unique bonding experience. Browse the info and the available teams at calgarydragonboatsociety.com.
If you prefer a slower pace, take a daily walk to a nearby park or street. Calgary offers a variety of green spaces. According to the City of Calgary Parks website, there are around 5,600 parks in Calgary. Inner-city residents should use the Calgary Public Art Guide, an online tool that lets users explore public artworks across the city. Featuring city-owned pieces, privately commissioned works and community initiatives, the map includes all the info you need to get acquainted with public art and make your walks a cultural experience.
If you already enjoy walking and want to elevate your experience, Geocaching is a fun way to get moving. Download the app and start hunting for hidden caches. You’ll log plenty of steps, but the sense of discovery and the serotonin boost make it especially rewarding. Visit calgary.ca and search “geocaching” to find a guide to getting started and what to keep in mind.
DRINK LESS BETTER
Plenty like to resolve to drink less or to do “Dry January.” If that sounds like you, stroll through the Crossroads Market and pick up a few non-alcoholic drinks; the offerings are extensive as the market catches up to the lifestyle.
If you want to try your hand at dry mixology, browse your local Calgary Public Library branch for mocktail recipe books, and place a hold on titles like Party Drinks or Monday Night Mocktails. You can also hit up your local independent bookstore and search for titles like Both Sides of the Glass, a cocktail book that features elevated mocktails for nondrinkers and their cocktail counterparts for those who enjoy them.
And going dry doesn’t mean you can’t tear up the dancefloor. Dickens offers an extensive zero-proof menu and ultra-inclusive vibes.
BECOME AN AVID FAN
Last season, baseball fans in Canada enjoyed welcoming new fans across the country and sharing the electric feeling of watching a game at a packed bar or a friend’s house, and celebrating a last-minute surprise or upset. If you are looking for your next exciting and hopeful fandom in 2026, a recommended start is to visit Gold Diggers Sports Lounge — a women’s sports-centred bar brought to you by the team behind The Blues Can — and find your next favourite team.
Looking for different teams to cheer on? Across Canada, professional women’s hockey is gaining momentum. Look into teams in the Professional Women’s Hockey League, including the Toronto Sceptres, Ottawa Charge, Montreal Victoire and the league’s newest addition, the Vancouver Goldeneyes. Women’s soccer is also making waves, with the Calgary Wilde Football Club recently wrapping up its inaugural season in the Northern Super League. It will return for its second season in 2026.
If hockey and soccer aren’t your sports of choice, women’s basketball in Canada is also entering an exciting new era. The Toronto Tempo has been officially announced, with its inaugural season set for 2026. As Marinya Marcichiw, events manager for the University of Calgary Dinos, notes, the talent is already unparalleled.
“Here in Alberta, we get to watch two top-10 U SPORTS programs in which the Dinos and [University of Alberta] Pandas go head to head every year,” said Marcichiw. “Our senior national team is also ranked among the best in the world. The women’s game is fast, smart and competitive. Once you see the level these athletes play at, you can’t help but become a fan.”
GO GREEN
A great New Year’s resolution is to live more sustainably. Calgary offers many accessible ways to reduce your environmental footprint, with no drastic lifestyle changes required. Start small by visiting a local refill store, such as Canary Goods Greenbriar or The Apothecary in Inglewood, where you can refill everyday essentials and reduce single-use packaging.
Another simple, social option is hosting a clothing swap with friends. Bring your clothes when the season is about to change, and give your closet a refresh, since someone’s donation pile is, after all, someone else’s new favourite find.
For those looking to go deeper, you can also access lots of different resources at the Tourism Calgary Sustainability and Accessibility site, where you will find helpful links to other initiatives and strategies, as well as a directory for GreenKey-certified businesses in Calgary.
If you want more inspiration and a guide to living a sustainable life, Fix Your Fashion: How to Create an Ethical Wardrobe by Laura Strut is an excellent read. It offers practical tips for making small choices and staying informed. Which brings us to our final resolution:
READ MORE
Reading more and being creative go hand in hand. According to Jen Fedorowich, social media coordinator for Owls Nest Books, the right novels can help spark ideas, encourage mindfulness and make creative habits feel more approachable.
Here are a few recommendations on books that can help you tap into your creative potential. And if you’re interested in any of these, place an order at your favourite Calgary bookstore!
The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad
This book explores the art of journaling and how to tap into your creativity, featuring essays and writing prompts from 100 writers, artists, and thinkers.
The Little Frog’s Guide to Self-Care by Maybell Eequay
Uplifting affirmations and empowering life lessons from the internet’s fave little frog.
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Ideal for anyone looking to make meaningful, lasting change by mastering the small behaviours that lead to remarkable results.
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
A powerful memoir if you resolve to pursue self-discovery, set boundaries, and live authentically.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
This is the heartfelt story of a socially awkward woman whose carefully structured life begins to change as she confronts long-avoided truths.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
A charming, witty and compulsively readable exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope that traces a widow’s unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus.
SNAP by Susan Nielsen
Funny, timely, and sharp, SNAP follows messy attempts to heal, cope, or get even, delivering big laughs alongside human heartache.
