Here Are Five New Year’s Resolutions Oklahomans Should Make

Most Oklahomans make the typical New Year's resolutions of either losing weight or eating healthier. Oftentimes, although they mean well, these resolutions don't last through January for most. So if you're planning on making any New Year's resolutions, consider making ones that will not only benefit you, but also the place in which you live.

Below are five New Year's resolutions Oklahomans should consider making for 2025.

1. Discover More of Oklahoma

Oklahoma is the 12th largest state in the nation with 69,899 square miles. Some people can live in Oklahoma their whole lives and not have explored every corner of the state. If you've lived in Oklahoma for a long or short time but haven't traveled the state much, you should make a New Year's resolution to see more of the state.

There are amazing places to visit in Oklahoma. You can experience cultural cuisine and stay in luxury hotels in Oklahoma City or Tulsa. Or you can explore various landscapes throughout the state, from basalt lava flow in the panhandle to dense forests in the east. Travel Oklahoma has plenty of resources for you to plan your trips in 2025.

2. Explore Oklahoma's State Highways

Oklahoma has multiple Interstate Highways and U.S. Highways that can take you pretty much anywhere in the state at a cost. Next year, costs of Oklahoma tolls are set to increase by 10 percent making it more expensive to travel within the state on these highways.

One way to save money on traveling within the state or even to plan a road trip to neighboring states and beyond, Oklahomans can set their routes on state highways. These highways are often two to four lane highways and do not require tolls to travel on. Also, state highways are often more scenic than the interstate highways. And contrary to popular belief, they don't always make your trips longer. Traveling on state highways may only add another 20 minutes or less to your travel time.

3. Shop Local More

One of the best ways to directly impact your community and boost its economics is by shopping local. Most people are becoming more conscious about buying local items for gifts, but there are more ways to spend your dollars locally by spending your dollars on everyday goods with local vendors.

This means instead of buying your groceries at Walmart, get in-season produce and locally processed meat at your local farmer's market. If you drink coffee every day, source your beans from a local coffee shop that roasts its own beans. Buy your dairy products from Braum's or another local dairy.

Making this small changes in your shopping habits will benefit you, your family, local farmers and the local economy as a whole. Plus, you know who you're buying your food from and you're more likely to not run into any recall issues.

4. Volunteer Locally

For those who are seeking to make a direct impact on their community or to better use their time in 2025, they should consider volunteering locally. There are multiple opportunities to volunteer locally in every Oklahoma community. There are opportunities to become a part of civic organizations, art nonprofits, organizations dedicated to helping pets or children and more.

If you want to volunteer but your not sure what organization to dedicate your time to, start with what you're passionate about and then search for organizations whose mission aligns with your personal passions. The best way to learn about local nonprofits in your community is by contacting your local city government or news outlets, like newspapers, television or radio stations.

5. Become More Civically Engaged

This year, Oklahoma's voter turnout for a presidential election was the lowest it has been since 2012. Oklahoma usually has an influx of voters every presidential election year rather than years where voting is just for state and local races/issues.

An article from Oklahoma Watch found that Oklahoma added a net total of 183,908 voters from Oct. 2020 to Oct. 2024, which correlates with population growth. But Oklahoma saw over 3,000 less votes in on Election Day this year than it did in 2020. And when compared with other states in the nation, Oklahoma was the lowest state in the nation for voter turn out with only 53.8 percent of voters actually voting.

There's multiple reasons as to why people in Oklahoma don't vote. Most of the reasons are personal, like believing their vote won't matter, or because there isn't a race or issue on the ballot that appeals to them.

But voting is one the best ways to change your community, hopefully, for the better. Voting in local and state elections will more than likely impact you, your family and your community more so than voting in national elections. Every vote matters, so it's important for Oklahomans to understand that their vote is their voice and they have a say in how not only the country is ran, but also how their city and state are run.

For more information on voting in Oklahoma or how to register to vote, visit the Oklahoma State Election Board's official website.