Let Your Zodiac Sign Determine Your New Year's Resolution

While those around me reflect on the past year, I’ve noticed that I am not alone in my resolute pessimism or inability to anticipate anything but the continuation of these bleak times. We really need a better year. While most of this year’s disasters were out of our hands, we’ve got enough agency to at least try and improve on 2017—and what better way to do that than with a classic New Year’s resolution?

While the concept may have felt tired in years past, the innocence and optimism of a New Year’s resolution brings with it a refreshing normalcy—something we desperately need right now. In classic Broadly fashion, and because we don’t want you making pointless commitments, we’ve called upon our staff astrologer Annabel Gat to explain how best to approach your 2018 resolutions according to your Zodiac sign.

Sorry, but “Aries really shouldn't even bother,” says Gat. “Aries people don't have the greatest attention span. They'll come up with some kind of resolution that's very hard for them to actually stick to.” However, if you’re an Aries whose mind is set on having a New Year’s resolution this year, Gat suggests that you stick to something easy with short term goals. Think more along the lines of actually remembering to water your houseplants every Sunday, not starting (and upkeeping) a communal garden. You’ll do best with goals that have quick turnarounds and are easy to check off a list. Resolutions around your career and public persona are a good idea for 2018, but remember to keep them frequent and doable—you know yourself.

Unlike Aries, Leos don’t really have a hard time coming up with a goal that they can stick to. Saturn entered Capricorn on December 19 where it will stay for two years and it’s going to have repercussions for all of us. “Saturn is the planet of mastery and maturity and it's entering Capricorn which is a very driven earth sign, it's also very practical,” says Gat. In light of this, coming up with a resolution that centers on a daily routine or ritual that’s more supportive for Leos and their health or schedule is going to work out best. Self-care is where your head should be at, but not in the annoying 2017 trendy way where your “self-care routine” ends up being a stressor in itself. Keep it simple and helpful: remembering to put sunscreen on your face is a good place to start.

For Sagittarius, a sign that tends to see the pragmatic side of things, a resolution that centers around budgeting is smart for 2018. On an emotional level, it’ll be wise for you to figure out what you value and focus on giving yourself more of it (giving to others is nice, too!). Gat says Sags should ask themselves if they’re really spending their time, money, and energy on the right things. If the answer is no, it’s time to do some lifestyle rearranging. Lucky for Sags, they usually end up seeing their resolutions through.

“For Taurus,” says Gat, “a resolution to learn something new or commit to saving up money for a trip that they've been longing to take would be a fantastic way to work the energy of Saturn entering Capricorn.” Tauruses should be focused on getting out of their comfort zone to explore new places and things. A broad resolution like becoming more of a risk taker could work, so long as you hold yourself accountable. “Tauruses get stuck in their rut,” says Annabel. But they can usually finish whatever they put their mind to.

It’s been a tough year for everyone, but Virgos in particular need to resolve to have more fun in 2018, Annabel advises. It will also be a good time for them to commit to finishing the creative projects they’ve been working on for forever. “Virgo usually can finish what they start,” says Gat. “But the more personal a project is, the harder it can be for them to complete because they're perfectionists.” But, Virgos, it’s time to get passed that. You want your projects to see the light of day, don’t you?

“Because Saturn is going to be entering their sign, a really important resolution for Capricorns is to hold themselves to a higher standard, though it's up to them to figure out what that really means,” Gat says. Whether you deserve more pay or time at work or need more attention or effort from your significant other, now is the time to confront these truths. “They have to think about what their boundaries are and if they're demanding that people respect them,” she says. “They need to be clear.” If you’re a Cap, it’s time to do away with authority and tradition and to listen to your own desires. Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, the planet of time. Because of this, Caps are constantly working to reconcile their mortality and the time they have left. It’s a good time to ask yourself what you’d be upset about if you were gone tomorrow and build a resolution around that.

Listen Gemini, it’s time to pay off any debts you have—both financial and emotional. If someone was really there for you this last year, ask yourself how you can be there for them in 2018. “For all of the Air signs, partnering with someone is a really good idea,” says Gat. If there’s a friend you can ask to take on your New Year’s resolution with you, your chances of seeing it through are a lot better. Teamwork comes easy to you, take advantage of it! Even if your friends aren’t down to pay off their debts with you, finding someone who will check in and hold you accountable when you’re slacking is also extremely helpful. Parental figures are good for this.

“With Saturn entering Capricorn, this is a really great time for Libras to make some kind of resolution around improving their living situation,” says Gat. Whether that’s buying a house or finally putting up that shelf that’s been lying on your floor for months, you’re going to feel a lot better once it’s over. While the outside world is unpredictable and scary, you want your home to be a safe haven, Libra. Working on your living situation isn’t just about tangible things, take the time to analyze the atmosphere at home and determine if there’s anything you can do to improve it. Passive aggressiveness can really kill the vibe of a communal space—if you’ve been having problems with your roommates, grow up and address them in 2018.

Aquarians, you need rest. You may have to spend 2018 recovering from 2017, and that’s okay. It’s time to learn lifestyle habits that are more conducive to your health. “Aquarians should make a resolution to get more sleep this year,” says Gat. You don’t really have a problem sticking to things, but that may be exactly why you’ve put your own rest on the backburner. Not any more. Take some time to reflect on what’s going on mentally as well, whether that’s committing to deepening your psychic development or checking in with yourself more frequently. Often, when we’re neglecting our physical health, our mental health follows.

For Cancers, it’s time to make a resolution to work out your relationship problems. “Saturn and Capricorn are going to be activating their house of partnership,” says Gat. “Resolving to work out some interpersonal issues would be a very smart way to go.” If therapy isn’t something you usually jump into, why not consider it? Sometimes it takes an outsider’s perspective to help you see what’s been going wrong. Other times, a chat over coffee can do the trick. Whatever way you choose to communicate with your partner(s), what’s important is that you do so and that it comes from an honest place. Though it can be easier to ignore deeper issues in a relationship, remember that sometimes, rocking the boat is necessary.

Like Cancer, communication is a great theme for Scorpios to center their resolutions around. If you feel like there’s unfinished business in any of your relationships, whether it be with your sister or an ex, 2018 is a good time to get some things off your chest. Be calm and honest and you may learn some things about the people in your life. If you’re looking for a more pragmatic resolution, addressing the miserable paperwork that you’ve been putting off is a good idea. It will suck, but you’ll feel so much lighter once you get it done.

“For Pisces, this would be an amazing year to get involved politically or to join some kind of group or community to become involved in activism,” says Gat. Lucky for you, there is no shortage of causes in Trump’s America! Pisces can have a hard time sticking with things, but when they’re passionate about something, they need to see it through. Pisces carry a lot of empathy, so no doubt 2017 was tough for you. However, when you use your big heart to turn passion into productivity, you’ll find joy.