New Year, New Me: Achieving Goals in Budapest

The new year is often a time to reflect on the past and set new goals for the future. But while it's easy to yap and make grand resolutions, the key to success lies in keeping it real and practical. Here’s how you can set doable goals and use Budapest as the perfect scene to achieve them.

1. Be Specific

"Do more sport" is a classic resolution, but it’s also super vague. Narrow it down, like committing to running twice a week. If want a fun, social way to stick to this goal, check out the Running Latte Club in Budapest. This English-speaking community combines fitness with post-run coffee hangouts, making your workouts something to look forward to. Plus, their weekly runs take you through some beautiful routes — a perfect way to hit your fitness goals and enjoy the city along the way!

2. Break It Down

While living in Hungary, learning the local language might be somewhere on your to-do list, but mastering it in a year can feel like a stretch. Instead, aim for something smaller, like reaching the A2 level by the end of the year. If it’s not university courses or private tutors, there are plenty of resources at local libraries to help you stay on track. For lucky residents of the 6th district, keep an eye out for the free Hungarian classes organized by the mayor’s office!

3. Stay Consistent

Consistency is the secret sauce for any resolution. If your goal is to read more, start small and stick with it, like turning 10 pages daily. Whether you're relaxing at home, enjoying coffee at an atmospheric cafe, or pulling out a book on the metro to channel your mysterious look, make reading a habit that fits seamlessly into your routine.

4. Track Your Progress

Becoming rich might not be in the cards this year, but you can definitely make progress by mastering some key financial literacy principles like budgeting and saving. Start by tracking your spending each month and find areas where you can cut back. Knowing your numbers gives you a clear reference point for the next steps in achieving your goal. And if you haven’t checked out Diverzum yet, it’s an app that brings together all the student discounts in one place — perfect for saving a little extra!

5. Celebrate Small Wins

None of the tips above come easy, so it’s important to appreciate yourself when you make progress. Whether you finally signed up for Hungarian classes or managed to read every day this week — well done! Give yourself a pat on the back, brag to your friends, or treat yourself to something sweet. It doesn’t even need to be discounted, it’s like a reward.

With these tips, you can set practical goals that actually stick. And in a city like Budapest, you’ve got all the tools to be giving your main character energy this new year.