New Year, new love? What’s your New Year’s resolution?

Have you made any resolutions for the new year? Maybe you’ve planned to actually start using your gym card, or to finally quit smoking, or to progress in your career? How about focusing on your love life?

Whatever you decide to do, it never hurts to have a plan to keep your New Year’s resolutions, but this is often easier said than done. In fact, only 8% of people stick to their New Year’s resolutions throughout the year.¹ Therefore, we’d like to help you with some tips and tricks to build a long lasting and successful plan to turn your New Year’s resolutions into reality. And if you decide that your New Year’s resolution is to focus on your love life, we’ve made maps of where you can find single men and single women looking for love in the New Year.

From idea to reality

Rule number one when it comes to New Year’s resolutions is: think realistically. It is better to focus on changing one thing at a time than trying to change many things at the same time. Sit down with pen and paper and write down a list of what you really want to change, why and how. Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many promises. Think about what you would really like to focus on this year and prioritise that.

READ MORE: New Year, new love? How to find a date with EliteSingles

Have realistic expectations

If you are single at the end of the year, it is natural to want to find a partner in the coming year. Although you may think that a new love will be good for your well-being, ask yourself first if you are really ready for a relationship. Answer honestly if this is the case, or if this a time to focus on yourself? If you are sure that you want and are ready for a relationship, dedicate yourself to it wholeheartedly! Start, for example, with online dating and finding love online. Be open and try to put yourself into social situations with opportunities to meet new people. Set milestones and reward yourself when these are achieved, remember it is not always the destination but the journey that can be rewarding. When online dating, take your time – don’t go on a date every weekend, instead prioritize quality over quantity.

READ MORE: Get out there! How to meet people online

Be brave!

Just like when you meet someone offline, it can take time and a little luck to meet someone who you are truly compatible with. Be brave and talk to new people whenever you can, even those who are not your normal type! Be active and open in your search for love, you have nothing to lose – nothing stands between you and your new love except yourself.

READ MORE: First impressions count – How to write your online dating profile

New Year’s Resolutions – stay motivated

Being self discliplined and motivated are perhaps the most difficult things when it comes to keeping up your New Year’s resolutions. Remember; try new things, take chances, and be kind to yourself. There is definitely a grain of truth to the cliché ‘love comes when you least expect it’, but it is your active choices that will yield results – remember, nothing changes if nothing changes.

Which cities are the best in Europe to find love on New Year’s Eve?

To help you further in your search for love, we asked 7616 singles across Europe if New Year’s Eve is a good oppurtunity to find love.

Here’s a map of best cities in Europe to find single men looking for love in the New Year. (The % of single men who replied yes to the question.)

And here’s one of where in Europe single women are looking for love in the New Year. (The % of single women who replied yes to the question.)

About the author: Esther Moriarty

Esther Moriarty is an editor for EliteSingles.

See more articles written by Esther Moriarty