A List of Queer New Year’s Resolutions to Make This Year

Happy New Year! It’s Time to Celebrate

Hello, 2022! We think it’s safe to say we are all ready for a fresh start after this past year of many ups and downs. While many unknowns remain on the horizon, we still hold the power to create a year full of amazing memories, relationships, and growth.

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10 Queer Intentions to Set for 2022

If the term ‘New Year’s resolution’ brings up feelings of pressure and stress, we encourage setting New Year’s intentions instead. There is no pressure to perfectly meet specific goals, just setting some intentions to make the most out of 2022! Below are 10 New Year’s resolutions for LGBTQ+ individuals to thrive and feel more connected to the queer community.

1. Be a Better Ally

Our first intention for the upcoming year is to be a better ally within the LGBTQ+ community. Whether that means fighting for change or uplifting individuals around us, supporting our queer community is always important and rewarding. Here are some ways we can be a great ally this year:

• Become more educated on queer world issues, queer theory, and history.
• Community action! Donate supplies and/or funds to LGBTQ+ organizations and individuals in need, volunteer, and VOTE.
• Provide support to queer individuals in your life.

2. Learn More About LGBTQ History

It’s never too late to become more educated on queer history! Not only is LGBTQ+ history super interesting, it is also empowering to become informed of as a queer individual. 

Learning about those who came before us to fight for the rights of everyone in the LGBTQ+ community can help us be grateful for how far we’ve come as a society, and also empower us to keep the movement going until all people are free to be who they are.

Do these names sound familiar to you?:

• bell hooks
• Audre Lorde
• James Baldwin
• Marsha P. Johnson
• Sylvia Rivera
• Virginia Woolf

If not, we encourage you to do some research on these famous queer icons and their contributions to the progress of the LGBTQ world today.

3. Decide to Come Out

Due to everyone’s different circumstances, coming out is not always easy for everyone. However, if you feel secure and empowered, there is no better time than in 2022 to express your identity, sexual orientation, or gender identity to those in your life! Coming out can be nerve-racking, but those who truly love you will always support you and want you to thrive as your most authentic self.

4. Find Your Chosen Family

For those who don’t have a queer support system, know you can always find your own family of individuals who celebrate you! Sometimes, our chosen family is more important than the ones we share DNA with. So if you are in need of being surrounded by more fulfilling relationships, this is the perfect time to set the intention to put yourself out there to cultivate your own community that nurtures you back.

5. Practice Self Care

If you have been putting off setting a much-needed self-care routine, 2022 is the perfect time to start. We truly need self-care now more than ever! Self-care doesn’t just mean pampering yourself or doing skincare– although those are definitely included ;)– but also doing big and small things to create an environment that nourishes you inside and out.

Some ways to practice self-care in 2022 include:

• Yes, pampering yourself because you deserve it.
• Creating a morning routine that makes you excited for the day.
• Making delicious food that nourishes your body (or just your soul).
• Practicing yoga and meditation.
• Going to therapy or taking care of your mental health.
• Actually scheduling those plans with friends.
• Setting boundaries and saying “no”.

6. Support Queer-Owned Businesses

Shopping at queer-owned businesses is a perfect way to support the LGBTQ+ community this year. To support diversity within the business field, you can research online, queer shops you like, or find local shops in your area to support.

7. Volunteer for Your LGBT Community

Make an impact this year on people’s lives in the LGBTQ community through volunteer roles! You are sure to find a multitude of events and opportunities in your local community. June and October are always great months to volunteer in the LGBTQ community, being Pride Month and LGBT History Month, but organizations still need our help year-round.

Volunteering is also a great way to work on one’s skills for one’s own career- so it’s a win-win! To find volunteer programs near you, you can check out www.volunteermatch.org.

8. Become an Active Voter

2022 is a midterm election year, so it’s the perfect time to get involved through voting. In 2020, we saw a massive increase in voting amongst youth- from 39% to 50%- so let’s keep that momentum going! Voting is very important to help fight discrimination and reform policies that affect the LGBTQ community, so do your part this year and VOTE.

9. Follow Queer Icons on Social Media

Another queer resolution you can make this year is to follow more queer people and icons on social media. Fill your feed up with people who inspire you, and who can help you stay educated and empowered within the community.

10. Befriend a Drag Queen

Last, but certainly not least, we totally recommend getting involved in the drag scene this year! Drag has played such an important role in the LGBTQ community’s history, and attending drag events helps support the movement. It’s also a great way to have fun experiences, meet new people, and visit new places in your town.

More Tips to Make This Year The Best Yet!

To make the next 12 months the best yet, you can also:

• Take a fun class– cooking, painting, knitting, etc.
• Go to LBGTQ events in your area using HER.
• Read and watch classic LGBTQ media content.
• Start a journal.
• Pay it forward.
• Focus on your passions.
• Give back to the environment.
• Practice gratitude.
• Drink more water.
• Meet new queer friends that celebrate the authentic YOU.

Find Your Inner Circle with HER

2022 is the year of finding your chosen family! Find your inner circle this year with HER, the app for connecting LGBTQ+ women and queer folks.

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