We should all be copying this Reddit user's brilliant 'New Year's memory jar' idea

One of the most tedious things about the Christmas and New Year period is how we constantly try to make ‘resolutions’ happen. No-one likes them, we never stick to them and they end up making us feel depressed when we fail. It’s time to say goodbye to the outdated ritual.

Instead, one person on Reddit has shared a fantastic life hack that we can all easily do and that would be a fantastic alternative New Year’s tradition. Writing in the LifeProTips subreddit, user Christianhbk explained his idea: “Start each year off with an empty jar, and fill it with notes of good things that happen. On New Year’s Eve, empty it and see what awesome stuff happened that year.”

He added: “This year has been full of ups and downs. Recently I had a really big down (I lost my job) but this year was a great up (I got married this year). It was easy for me to become depressed and forget about all the good things, but thanks to my spouse and memories of us getting married I should feel blessed and excited about 2018!”

Other users loved the idea – one person even shared how they had tried it once and cried when they opened up the jar. Seeonethirtyseven wrote: “Did this one year I was seriously struggling w depression. I cried when I opened the jar on New Year’s and realized that lots of good things happened too, I just needed to focus on those more. Big year for me.”

F0MA added: “I love this idea. I’m doing this with our family and i think our six-year-old daughter will appreciate this for future reading!!”

Here’s all you need to do it:

• One large jar
• Paper and a pen/pencil
• A few spare minutes every week to write down your memories

Personally, I think this is a fantastic idea; it’s cost-effective and should help to boost your mood when you’re feeling low. There’s still a few weeks left in the year to give this idea trial run and then from 1 January 2018, get your memory jars ready! 

(Image: iStock)