with a group like this, I’m curious how people relate to new years resolutions. do you make them? avoid them? quietly tweak things without naming it a resolution?
I like the intention part but struggle with sticking to anything too rigid. wondering how others here approach it, and what you’re carrying into the new year.
Hey, Sarah. Happy New Year. I tend to avoid formal resolutions. As soon as something gets named and boxed in, I notice pressure show up, and it usually backfires.
What I do instead is pay attention to what already feels slightly out of alignment and make small adjustments there. Nothing that requires willpower or a big declaration.
For this year, I’m planning to be intentional about staying with things a little longer before trying to change them. That feels more realistic for me than promising a new version of myself.
Good question! Big goals or grand resolutions have never worked very well for me either. As soon as something feels outcome-focused, I can feel myself pushing against it. I’ve learned that I don’t respond especially well to pressure, even when I’m the one creating it.
That said, I do like the spirit of a resolution and the idea of always looking for ways to better myself. This year I’m focusing on habit building throughout the year, without pressure. Simple, repeatable things that support me rather than ask me to reinvent myself.
For me, that looks like choosing consistency over intensity, and being more self-compassionate rather than strict when something slips. I’m hoping this gentler approach will make these changes more sustainable.
I actually love a good New Year’s resolution. When I lay out my plan concretely, I find it easier to follow.
I’m not a big drinker, but I noticed I’ve been having more than I’d like over the holidays, so I’m doing Dry January as a hard reset and planning to keep alcohol minimal going forward.
I’m also working on having a better relationship with my devices. My intention is to turn them off and put them out of sight by 8pm each night, so my evenings feel a little quieter, and hopefully my sleep improves.