Resolutions We’ll Definitely Stick To (Maybe)
The Myth of ‘New Year, New Me’
Don’t we all crave a clean slate, a chance to rewrite our own narrative? But, be honest, by the time February’s around the corner, most of these resolutions are left somewhere between forgotten health apps or dust-gathering notebooks.
So, why do we keep setting up ourselves like that? It could be lack of willpower—or a case of expecting too much from ourselves, too fast.
The self-optimisation trend is breathing down our necks. I’ve found myself falling down a rabbit hole of: Biohacking, 5 AM morning routines (?!), ice baths, productivity hacks, skincare rituals and sleep schedules that feel impossible to keep up with. But constantly striving to be your ‘best self’ can make you feel like trying to feel safe—or even comfortable—in a pressure cooker. For every green juice and meditation streak, there’s a creeping sense that we’re falling short of something.
I remember a phase when I went all-in on self-improvement—I signed up for kick boxing at my local gym, bought a cute, lime-green journal to keep track of all my meetings, downloaded a sleep tracker and even started ‘Keto’, a strict plan which tries to eliminate all the carbs in your diet (I was so angry all the time!). I thought, ‘This is it, I’ll be unstoppable’. But within few weeks, what had started as a burst of motivation felt like a list of never-ending chores (did I mention I am also a mom?!). Instead of feeling accomplished, I just felt exhausted and more aware of every little flaw I hadn’t managed to fix. It was like a feedback loop that left me feeling, ironically, less ‘optimized’ than ever.
The wellness industry thrives on our endless desire to ‘level up’. There’s always one more thing to add to our daily routine, one more way to ‘upgrade’ our supposed shortcomings. It’s almost like a sport! But in reality, trying to overhaul your life overnight is exhausting and—let’s be clear—can actually fuel imposter syndrome. We start to believe that we’re ‘not enough’.
Yet, real, lasting change is more of a marathon than a sprint. It takes small steps, a lot of endurance, and it can be messy. It might not look great on social media, but it’s real and will save you from trying to do it all at once and then crashing along the way. And please, don’t get me wrong: If you genuinely love your ice baths or feel empowered by your 5 AM routine, go for it! But if you’re just doing it out of a sense of obligation, it’s probably not quite the change you need.
What if you skip the resolutions and opt for simple and consistent actions that won’t overwhelm you before you’ve even started? Forget ‘be the best graphic designer ever’ and go for ‘practice 25 minutes on Canva every morning for 3 months’. Instead of trying to find the ultimate work-life balance, try to schedule a get-to-getter with your loved ones, once a month. Research backs it up too. James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, found that tiny changes—like improving just 1% each day—can have a big impact over time. Small, manageable goals may not look glamorous, but they’re powerful in the long run.
BTW: You can download the ‘Atomic Habits’ file for free: Atomic habits ( PDFDrive ).pdf
Another key? Choose goals that don’t feel like punishment. If a resolution feels like a burden, there’s no way it’ll last. Goals should fuel you and make you excited for the future, not drain you! No need to walk it alone—instead of hard-core ‘accountability’, try pairing up with a support buddy. Not to compare progress, but to laugh about the inevitable slip-ups and celebrate the tiny wins.
Real change doesn’t just come from strict discipline, but also from learning to enjoy the process. I think the main ingredient of the secret sauce is ‘refining the current you’ instead of ‘transforming into a new you’. It doesn’t have to be dramatic to be effective —or needs standing ovations (though that would be nice!). Opt for small shifts that actually make you feel better in the long run and stop chasing quick dopamine shots.
So, cheers to resolutions that feel real, goals that make space for our own well-being, and a year where success doesn’t mean perfection.
Take a moment to think about one small thing you can add or tweak to make 2025 feel better for you—no big overhauls required. We’re not aiming for perfect; we’re here for real. And as you jump on this year’s journey, remember you’ve got a crew that is here to support you trough every step of the way —drop by The Orbit for more ideas, stories and small wins worth celebrating along the way. Because, really, who needs ‘new’ when ‘you’ is already doing just fine?
Let’s make 2025 your most fulfilling year yet.
Catch you next time,
Paula