New Year questions for couples
Close out one year together, then decide what the next one looks like.
These are New Year questions for couples: look back at the year you just had, say what you are proud of, name what you are leaving behind, set goals for money, home, health, and travel, and pick a word each. Draw a card on New Year's Eve, or work through the list below.
72 questions in 6 sectionsUpdated September 2026
Resolutions made alone in January rarely survive February. The ones you say out loud to the person you live with tend to last longer.
Start with the year behind you, then move to what you are proud of, what you are done carrying, the goals you actually share, and the first week of the new year.
New Year / The year in review1 / 72
What was the best ordinary day we had this year?
What should we ask about the year we just had?
- 1What was the best ordinary day we had this year?
- 2When did this year turn, for better or for worse?
- 3What is one thing you will never forget about this year?
- 4Which month was the hardest, and what got you through it?
- 5What did we spend the most time worrying about this year?
- 6Which decision this year are you most glad we made?
- 7What did you learn about me that you did not know before?
- 8Where did we go this year that you want to go again?
- 9What is something you started this year and quietly dropped?
- 10Which conversation this year changed something between us?
- 11What did you say yes to that you should have refused?
- 12If this year had a title, what would you call it?
What are we proud of this year?
- 13What did you do this year that took real nerve?
- 14What are you proud of that nobody else even noticed?
- 15When did you handle something better than you would have before?
- 16What did I do this year that made you proud of me?
- 17Where did you keep a promise to yourself this year?
- 18What did you get better at without really trying?
- 19Which hard thing did we get through as a team?
- 20What did you build this year that is still standing?
- 21When did you say no this year and mean it?
- 22What is a small win you never told anyone about?
- 23What did you make this year that you actually like?
- 24Where did you show up when staying home was easier?
What do we want to leave behind?
- 25What habit of ours should not follow us into January?
- 26What are you carrying that you could set down tonight?
- 27Which argument do we keep having that we should retire?
- 28What are you still apologizing for that you can let go?
- 29Which obligation are you done with as of tonight?
- 30What did we spend money on that was not worth it?
- 31Whose opinion do you want to stop weighing so heavily?
- 32What excuse have you used all year that you are done with?
- 33Which app or habit ate the most of your evenings?
- 34What do you want to stop putting off until later?
- 35What did you tolerate this year that you should not have?
- 36Which version of yourself are you ready to leave behind?
What goals should we set as a couple?
- 37What is the one money goal we should agree on now?
- 38What do we want our home to feel like this year?
- 39Where do we want to go before next December?
- 40What is one health thing we can actually do together?
- 41How much do we want to save, and by when?
- 42What is one room or corner we finally sort out?
- 43How many nights a week do we want to eat together?
- 44What is something we want to learn side by side?
- 45What would we do with an unexpected free weekend?
- 46Which bill or subscription should we cut in January?
- 47What is one adventure worth planning even if it costs us?
- 48How do we want to spend our Sundays this year?
What is your word for the year?
- 49What is your one word for the year ahead?
- 50What word would you give me for my year?
- 51What is our word as a couple this year?
- 52What word describes the year we are closing out?
- 53Which word do you want people to use about you?
- 54What word do you want to stop living by?
- 55If your word were a place, where would it be?
- 56What is the first thing your word would change tomorrow?
- 57Which of us needs their word more this year?
- 58What would our word look like on an ordinary Tuesday?
- 59What word did you live by last year without ever choosing it?
- 60Where will your word be hardest to hold on to?
What rituals should we start in the first week?
- 61What should we do on the first morning of the year?
- 62What is one thing we do in week one every year?
- 63Should we write letters to each other to open next December?
- 64What do you want the first meal of the year to be?
- 65Where should we walk on the first day of January?
- 66What is one thing we clear out in the first week?
- 67Should we make a list we actually check again in July?
- 68Who do we want to call in the first week?
- 69What is a photo we should take every first of January?
- 70What song do you want playing when the year starts?
- 71What do we want to do the first Friday of January?
- 72What would make the first week feel like a fresh start?
