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New Year’s resolutions can be tough, but these apps will help you become the person you swear you’ll be every January!
New year, new you… at least that’s the plan, right? We all start January with big intentions, but actually sticking to those shiny New Year’s resolutions is a different story. Luckily, there’s an app for that — actually, there are loads! Screens get a bad rep, but we literally have the world at our fingertips, so here’s your gentle nudge to Marie Kondo your phone: delete that social media app you’re lowkey addicted to and replace it with something that brings you joy! Here’s some inspiration for the best self-improvement apps, whether that means learning a new language, exploring a new place or beginning your meditation journey.
Read More: Must-Attend New Year’s Eve Celebrations & Countdown Parties
If your New Year’s resolution is . . .
To learn a new language, try Duolingo
You’ve heard it a million times before, but this language app really is one of the best for sticking to your goals. From the way it gamifies your progress to the user-friendly interface, Duolingo makes learning a new language both easy and enjoyable! There’s just one major setback for Hong Kongers: the app only offers Cantonese lessons for Mandarin speakers, so if you’re hoping to (finally) pick up some of the local language, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
Download Duolingo via the App Store or Google Play.
Read More: The Best Language Schools In Hong Kong
To exercise more, try AllTrails
If you downloaded MyFitnessPal as a pre-teen and were told to restrict your calories, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Okay, not really, but thankfully times have changed since health apps first came onto the scene. AllTrails offers a great alternative to traditional workouts as the app encourages you to get out into nature instead of hitting up an overpriced gym. With detailed trail maps that guide you through numerous outdoor activities, you’ll be working up a sweat in no time!
Download AllTrails via the App Store or Google Play.
Read More: Best Hong Kong Hikes – Your Ultimate Hong Kong Hiking Trail Bucket List
To eat healthier, try Zest Cooking
Stuck making the same few carb-heavy meals on repeat? Zest changes that by weaving real cooking education into your routine. In under 10 minutes, learn a key concept from former Michelin star chefs, then make a recipe designed to master it. No experience needed! Zest starts where you are and help you become the confident home cook you want to be, allowing you to ditch the FoodPanda and take your health seriously.
Download Zest Cooking via the App Store or Google Play.
Read More: Healthy Meal Delivery Services In Hong Kong
To save money, try EveryDollar
Cutting back on spending is the most popular New Year’s resolution globally, every year. Well, this user-friendly app uses zero-based budgeting to help you give every dollar a job, making it easy to track your spending. The clean, simple interface is perfect if you’re new to budgeting. Just keep in mind that key features — especially automatic transaction imports — are only available with a paid subscription (oh, the irony).
Download EveryDollar via the App Store or Google Play.
Read More: Girl’s Guide To Financial Independence
To read more, try Literal
Sticking to a reading goal is hard in an age of dopamine addiction! Literal helps — instead of a cold algorithm, receive book recommendations from real people and curators whose taste you trust. You can follow friends, join themed ‘clubs’ for your favourite genres and see what’s on everyone’s shelves. Plus, features like reading challenges and tracking let you celebrate your progress. It turns the solitary act of reading into a connected, motivating experience, so you’re more likely to actually pick up a book .
Download Literal via the App Store.
Read More: The Best Bookstores In Hong Kong
To spend less time on social media, try Imprint
Trying to cut down on the doom-scrolling but not ready to put down your phone entirely? Imprint is here to help. The app takes big ideas from the world’s greatest thinkers and breaks them down into simple, visual snippets that a) you can actually remember and b) is formatted to replicate the sensation of scrolling through socials. Whether you want to master essential topics, pick up new skills or just have a few fun facts to throw into your conversations, Imprint makes learning quick, easy and kind of addictive!
Download Imprint via the App Store or Google Play.
Read More: Hack Your Algorithm — How To Curate A Positive Social Media Presence
To meet new people, try Bumble BFF
Bumble BFF makes meeting new friends as simple as a swipe. It’s the ‘just friends’ version of the dating app, connecting you with local people who share your vibe and want to hang out. The app nudges you from chatting to real-life plans, suggesting easy meet-ups like coffee or a walk. They’ve even added free tools for joining interest-based groups, so you can meet a whole new crew at once. It turns the awkward search for friends into something more familiar and manageable.
Download Bumble via the App Store or Google Play.
Read More: The Truth About Dating Apps In Hong Kong
To be more in touch with your body, try Stardust
If you have a uterus, Stardust is for you. This free, women-owned hormone health app helps you understand and work with the phases of your menstrual cycle instead of fighting against them. Think personalised insights with a touch of astrology, like getting a cosmic guide to your body — plus, there’s a feature to share that information with your partner, so they can better understand your mood and reactions. Best of all, by knowing when you are most motivated (i.e. during ovulation and when the moon is in waxing crescent!), you might just find it easier to tackle those New Year’s resolutions.
Download Stardust via the App Store or Google Play.
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To improve your mental health, try Calm
Sprinkle a little zen into your life with Calm, a go-to app for all things relaxation. The soothing interface offers guided meditations, calming music and sleep stories that whisk you away to dreamland. With a variety of programmes tailored to reduce stress, improve focus or help you drift off into a blissful slumber, you’ll be saying goodbye to chaos and hello to tranquility. Grab your headphones, you’re in for a treat!
Download Calm via the App Store or Google Play.
Read More: Our Favourite Apps For Meditation & Mindfulness
To eat less meat, try HappyCow
Plant-based eating isn’t for everyone, but if you’re considering reducing your meat consumption (even if that’s only for one day a week!), HappyCow makes it easy. The app helps you discover vegan, vegetarian and plant-based eateries with user reviews, photos and a handy map feature, allowing you to check which restaurants with veg options are in your vicinity. There’s also a social feature to connect with like-minded people, so if your friends and family are carnivores, you can still eat with others!
Download HappyCow via the App Store or Google Play.
Read More: Top Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants In Hong Kong
Main image courtesy of Sassy Media Group, all images courtesy of respective apps.
