14 New Year’s Resolutions for Journalists & Bloggers
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
Bouncing back from the welcome break of the holidays can be tough, not least for journalists and bloggers. Many writers are feeling overwhelmed, likely burned out from a chaotic year in the media, and are prepping for another stressful one ahead. It’s not the best mindset to begin the new year.
Setting some New Year’s resolutions can be a great way to get off on the right foot. Data from YouGov finds that 31% of Americans are making a resolution this year.
Whether you’re in the office or working from home, working for a large publisher or starting your own freelance journey, these resolutions for writers can help freshen up your writing and streamline your routine.
Here are some ideas to inspire you for a productive year ahead.
- Read more fiction: It will be likely be another hectic year for the media with a strained relationship with the administration, consolidation across the industry, continued adaptation to AI and more. Take time to transport your mind away from it all by reading a fiction story or listening to an audiobook.
- Master a new multimedia skill: The media landscape is increasingly visual and auditory. Commit to adding one new multimedia skill to your toolkit this year to help your content reach new platforms and audiences. This could be learning the basics of video editing, creating high-quality infographics or starting a micro-podcast for quick daily news updates.
- Attend an industry event: Set aside time to network with other journalists, learn a new skill or discover the latest trends in the industry. View our full calendar of upcoming events in 2026 and stay tuned for our monthly posts to see what’s coming.
- Get organized: It’s always a go-to when it comes to resolutions. The new year is always a great time to clear the clutter of the previous year and start fresh. Whether it’s cleaning off your desk, downloading a to-do list app or deleting old, unused files from your computer, set a goal to get organized in 2026.
- Embrace do-not-disturb: Schedule times for no notifications, disable unused social media accounts, etc. Set aside time to quiet all the noise so you can focus on your writing and deadlines.
- Audit your digital security: In an era of increasing digital threats and source protection concerns, make it a priority to strengthen your online defenses. Resolve to update your passwords, enable two-factor authentication on work accounts, and learn the basics of using encrypted communication tools (like Signal or ProtonMail) when dealing with sensitive sources or data.
- Explore a new writing topic: When we cover the same industry and topic for years, it can be easy to fall into patterns, causing our writing to get stale. Test out one of these writing prompts to help you break free of that box and maybe discover a new angle to a story or a new way to approach your writing. You can also try prompting your favorite AI chatbot for new story ideas.
- Become the expert: Instead of trying to cover everything, resolve to become the recognized expert in a highly specific niche this year. Drill down, research deeply and consistently publish high-quality, specialized content to establish yourself as the go-to source in that area.
- Find a mentor: Whether you’re new to journalism or are an experienced reporter, having a mentor can be very beneficial to your career. Get advice about job hunting, story development and how to show your value in the newsroom. If you feel your experience would be valuable to a newer journalist, try being the mentor instead!
- Treat yourself: Sometimes, a new microphone, notebook and pen, camera, or coffee mug is just what you need to feel refreshed and ready to tackle the next story. Our latest holiday gift guide has a few ideas for that next splurge.
- Refresh your portfolio: Considering a new role or beat this year? Make sure your professional portfolio showcases your strongest work. Even if you plan to stay in your current role, an up-to-date portfolio makes it clear to potential sources and peers what you bring to the table.
- Learn to code: If you’re looking to boost your technical skills this year, getting a better understanding of coding could be the perfect goal. It’s an in-demand skill that can help you uncover new stories and present data in new ways.
- Get out of the office: There is no substitute for meeting people where they are. Make a resolution to spend a set amount of time reporting in the field or attending non-industry, community events. This helps you uncover stories you’d never find online, connect with diverse sources and keep tabs on public sentiment beyond social media echo chambers.
- Set a realistic writing goal: Yes, make a goal to set goals. Only you know what’s doable for you, and if you set benchmarks that work within your schedule and needs, you’re more likely to accomplish them. Think daily or weekly word count goals, or blocking off specific hours of the day for writing, research, social media posting, etc.
Good luck!
Once you decide on the specific goals, it’s important to understand what it will take to actually achieve them. Check out these tips for sticking to your resolutions.
We’d love to hear if any of these resolutions resonate with you or if you have another goal in mind for 2026. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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Rocky Parker is the Manager of Audience and Journalist Engagement at Cision PR Newswire. She's been with the company since 2010 and has worked with journalists and bloggers as well as PR and comms professionals. Outside of work, she can be found trying a new recipe, binging a new show, or cuddling with her pitbull, Hudson.
