Have a Feminist New Year: 5 feminist resolutions for 2025

New Year's resolutions don't always have to be about self-improvement, excessive discipline, and increasing productivity. Next year it will be particularly important that we stand up even louder and more courageously for ourselves and our rights. The nice thing about it: Even very simple and small gestures that everyone can integrate into everyday life can contribute to a more feminist world.

Every day the patriarchy whispers to us what we need to be: slimmer, more beautiful, more successful, a better mother, a perfect lover. And too often we listen to this: we feel inadequate and judge other women who don't meet the patriarchy's standards. So in the new year, let's not always be so critical of ourselves and others.

By 2025 at the latest, other women should no longer be our competitors, but rather our allies. Supporting them starts with handing out serious compliments more often, appreciating the work of others and praising each other for successes. You will see how much empowerment lies in such small gestures.

And how do we strengthen ourselves? Through more self-care: taking time, listening to your own gut feeling and simply doing things that are good. No matter whether these are hobbies or meetings with friends. Self-care is an important resource and source of strength, because those who feel good themselves can also be there for others and fight patriarchy better.

Setting boundaries is also part of self-care. Our society only works because women ignore their boundaries and sacrifice themselves for others - taking on all the housework and care work in addition to their paid jobs and patiently listening to other people's problems at the same time. In the long run, this won't work if we don't start respecting our own limits, setting priorities and communicating them clearly. In other words, a “no” to others is a “yes” to ourselves. Here is an exercise you can use in the new year when asked for a favor:

Step 1:Ask yourself if you really want to do this or if they just feel like it's expected of you. If you have doubts about something, that's actually a "no"...

Step 2:Say “No.” This is a complete sentence that requires no further explanation.

Step 3:Now comes the hardest part: enduring the other person's reaction. It will get easier over time, I promise.

Regardless of whether it is cinema, literature, art or music – women are underrepresented everywhere in the cultural sector and in creative professions. Of course, this is not because there is a lack of female talent, but rather because there are men in the crucial positions who support men. So let's take countermeasures in 2025: At festivals we go to concerts by women, before we make ourselves comfortable in the cinema seat, we see who wrote the script and we add a few female authors to our bookshelf. Who we follow on Instagram and what podcasts we listen to also play a role.

Every time we support an artist with our money and our attention, it is a statement and a small feminist act. In addition, we open up new perspectives for ourselves instead of the same “male gaze” in pop culture support. Of course, this also means that we no longer pay attention to people who hold sexist attitudes. These tests can help you evaluate content in a feminist way: Bechdel Test, Mako Mori Test, and Sexy Lamp Test.

A politically difficult year lies ahead of us. That's why it's more important now than ever to take action when we have the capacity and feel safe. Resolve to go to demonstrations more often - not just on International Women's Day, but definitely there. In this way we can also raise our voices on behalf of those who do not have one themselves, for example for women in Iran or Afghanistan. Anyone who can afford it financially can also support the valuable work of feminist organizations, women's shelters and activist groups by making a monetary donation. Or you can get involved there yourself by doing voluntary work.

We can also open our mouths in our private lives, because our private lives are political. Doing educational work within the family, among colleagues and among friends is quite strenuous, but important. When it comes to feminist issues, some still need tutoring. But the following applies here: Choose your battle! We cannot win everyone over to our cause and some policy discussions with sexists are not worth our time and energy.

Nobody is a model feminist 24/7 – and that’s completely okay. The fear of making mistakes shouldn't stop us from taking action and speaking up. Just as we are constantly evolving at best, our attitudes and opinions are also allowed to change as we gain new information and insights. Admitting that to yourself is a strength.

At the same time, we should continually question our behavior and learn. Next time you are criticized for something, perhaps take the time to reflect on your behavior or statements. Then you also notice that the criticism is not directed at you personally, but is an opportunity to develop yourself further. And if your mistakes have hurt people, apologizing is also part of the personal learning process.