replace your resolutions with music experiments in 2026

By Jess Santacroce
Music Writer, Phoenix Radio

New year’s resolutions have been as much a part of marking the new year as the ball drop and party hats, but many people find them difficult or impossible to keep up past January. Replacing them with goals is one option, but that can be discouraging every time something doesn’t seem to be progressing. In recent years, the practice of replacing both resolutions and goals with experiments has begun floating around social media and the press.

The key differences between resolutions or goals and experiments is the approach at both the beginning and the end. An experiment begins with a hypothesis. You ask what would happen if this or that were true or different. Then, the activity is carried out with the change in place. As the experiment unfolds, notes are taken on the results. Finally, the results are studied and evaluated. In a true scientific experiment, the results are simply reported, with no further action. In a goal experiment, the results are evaluated and changes are made until the desired result or goal is met.

Proponents of this approach claim that this removes a lot of the unnecessary self-criticism that setting goals or making resolutions can bring, and instead focuses on finding something that works for the person seeking the change.

Experiment #1: What would happen if I wrote or practiced my music in a different setting than normal?

Artists who practice in all forms tend to have our set places to practice or create. Much of the reason for this is of course practical. You have to rehearse singing or guitar playing at home or in a practice studio, because everyone in your favorite hangout is not going to want to hear the same chords, or the chorus of your church’s worship team songs, or four different versions of that verse you’re working on three times in a row. Writing is a bit more flexible, but there needs to be space to do it without crowding anyone else. What would happen if you simply moved to a different part of your practice studio or your house for three or five or ten practice sessions? What would happen if you wrote music in a different room, or if you normally do write it in a cafe, what if you chose someplace else, or a different table at your usual spot? Commit to a certain number of your usual practice or writing sessions in a new place, and see what happens.

Experiment #2: How would my plans play out if I worked on them to a different type of music for one hour each week?

While the focus is shifting from resolutions and goals to experiments, this does not mean you should have nothing you want to do this year. It just means giving yourself a chance to test out ways to get where you want to go.

Suppose you set out to finish writing songs for an album this year. Your usual pattern when writing songs is to listen to the type of music that you write in the morning, and then work on your own writing in the afternoon. To conduct this experiment, you would listen to a type of music that is very different than what you write in the mornings before you sit down to write.

Non musical goals can of course be done with the music playing. Try working on a short story or novel to Jazz if you typically listen to country music, or play classic R&B if you typically listen to metal. You may want to try music you already listen to but don’t typically put on while you’re working, or you could even try working to a genre of music or an artist you never listen to much at all.

Experiment #3: What if I said “yes” to a gig or other project I wouldn’t normally do?

Most people have seen this one presented as the “say yes to everything” for a set period of time experiment, where the person must say “yes” to every offer or suggestion that is not dangerous, illegal, or in serious conflict with their deeply held beliefs. That experiment would certainly fall under this category, but if you’re not willing to say “yes” to absolutely any and every gig or project anyone might offer you, modify it by agreeing to do just one thing outside of your regular art practice. You might agree to play at a children’s party if you typically only play weddings, or at a wedding if your business revolves around children’s parties. Collaborate with someone you wouldn’t typically ask to work with you. Put yourself on the list at an open mic someplace you have never been before.

Experiment #4: What if I doubled...or halved...the amount of money I spend on music?

Several traditional new year’s resolutions revolve around money. We resolve to make and stick to a better budget, find a higher paying day job, start a side hustle, or stop spending money on takeout or coffee drinks or delivery. Add a musical twist to this and make it an experiment by drastically changing the amount of money you spend on music for a set period of time. What would happen if you didn’t buy any new music for a month? How might your year be different if you ordered those concert tickets you always said were too expensive? Make the change and see what unfolds.

Experiment #5: How would adding music to an activity that is normally quiet or done to background noise change the outcome?

Like the practice in a different place experiment, this one has to be done within the constraints of respect for other people and personal consequences. You wouldn’t start working your day job to music if your workplace has a policy against it, or if doing so would put you or someone else in danger. But within reason, what would happen if part of your life that has always been quiet is now set to your favorite music, or if you replaced some form of background noise with music? If you typically cook with the tv on, what would happen if you listened to your favorite band this week instead? How would you sleep this week if you turned on some soft classical music instead of a white noise machine? Would that workout you’re struggling to stick to go better if you exercised to music instead of watching the tv playing at the gym?

What experiments will you do with music this year?