The New Year's Resolution Trap

The New Year’s Resolution Trap (and How to Avoid It)

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you have all had a wonderful holiday season. It can be a fun and sometimes tough time of year, so I hope that you have found comfort in those around you, and even just a little help in these blogs. Let’s talk about the new year and the tradition of New Year’s Resolutions. 

Every January, millions of us declare bold New Year’s resolutions. “This year I’ll get fit.” “This year I’ll be more organized.” “This year I’ll finally break that habit.” The energy of a fresh start feels exciting, but by mid-February, most resolutions have quietly fizzled out.

So why does this happen? And more importantly, what can we do differently to create sustainable growth in our mental health and lives?

Why Resolutions Often Fail

• They’re too big: Resolutions like “I’ll never eat sugar again” or “I’ll exercise every day” sound inspiring, but they can be unrealistic.
  
  

• They’re all-or-nothing: The first slip-up feels like failure, which often leads people to give up entirely.
  
  

• They lack a “why”: When a resolution is made because we think we should instead of because it’s meaningful to us, motivation runs out fast.
  
  

Choosing Attainable Goals

The key isn’t in aiming smaller, but in aiming smarter. Instead of a broad resolution like “get healthy,” try:

• “I’ll add one more serving of vegetables to my meals most days.”
  
  

• “I’ll take a walk three times a week.”
  
  

• “I’ll practice deep breathing when I feel stressed.”
  
  

These goals are clear, achievable, and measurable, making it easier to build consistency.

Mindset Matters

Growth isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress. Sustainable change means:

• Focusing on habits, not quick fixes.
  
  

• Celebrating small wins.
  
  

• Allowing flexibility when life gets messy (because it will).
  
  

It’s Okay to Fail

Here’s the truth: failure isn’t final. It’s feedback. If a goal doesn’t stick, it doesn’t mean you’re weak, it means it might not have been the right fit right now.

You always have permission to:

• Start again.
  
  

• Adjust your goals.
  
  

• Choose something completely different.
  
  

The most important part of growth isn’t sticking to a single resolution: it’s continuing to show up for yourself with compassion and courage.

Takeaway:

New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be rigid rules or impossible standards. They can be gentle reminders of where you’d like to grow and how you’d like to care for yourself. 

So this year, choose goals that feel sustainable, celebrate progress (not perfection), and remember: it’s not about never falling, it’s about getting back up with kindness every single time.