05/01/2026
We find ourselves at the 5th January 2026!
I want to share some of my feelings entering the new year and why we make New year's resolutions then break them.
It is always a big topic that people speak about, ask you if you have made any new years resolutions. This got me into some serious insights and reasons for myself. I will share share below some of what I have been thinking on why we make new years resolutions and then mostly break them.
1. "The fresh start"
This is just that the new year feels like a clean slate. That boost of motivation is real, but it's emotional and temporary. Once everyday life returns, the feeling fades.
2. "Resolutions /Goals are often too vague or too big"
These resolutions come without clear steps or a plan, we rely on will power alone, and will power runs out.
3. "Habits beat motivation" this one is one I find get me. Motivation is like a "spark"; habits are like an "engine". Most of our resolutions try to change behaviour without changing our routines or triggers that caused the habit in the first place.
4. "We underestimate how hard change can be"
We tend to imagine ourselves having more time, energy and discipline than we actually do. Then when reality hits the goal feels overwhelming.
5. "All-or-nothing thinking"
Many of us think, " I messed up once, so we see it as failure" and then we tend to quit entirely.
6. "Resolutions re often based on pressure, not values"
Some goals are driven by guilt, trends or what others expect - not what you genuinely care about. These goals don't last.
Without reminders, tracking, or support to yourself or from others, it is easy to forget or not prioritise the goal.
People don't tend to fail because they are lazy - they fail because motivation fades, habits are strong, and change needs structure, not just good intentions. Pheww how is thi?
So how do we succeed with our resolutions / goals? We need to focus on systems not just goals.
A goal is the destination - a system is what you do every day.
I discovered this gem!
"People who succeed ask: What small action can I repeat regularly?
Start small on purpose, Big changes feel exciting but are hard to sustain, small changes feel almost too easy - but they stick.
We need to make the habit easier than the alternative. Make a good choice that is easy, it will happen more often.
We need to understand that we all mess up at some time or another, but what makes the difference is how we respond! Progress is about consistency not perfection.
Resolutions / Goals last longer when they matter to YOU, not because of pressure. Each small action becomes a lasting reality.
We don't fail at resolutions because we are weak. We fail because change requires structure, patience, and kindness to ourselves.
We need to be kind to ourselves, to learn to breathe, to deal with our stored trauma, our anxiety and our stress.
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