How often have you told yourself, “This is the year”?
Feeling confident you will stick to the usual New Year goals? Yet, by mid-February, statistics show that 91% of New Year resolution attempts end in disappointment.
So, why does this happen year after year?
We spoke with Dr Nicole Nasr, therapist and founder of Journey. She suggests a radical shift in how we think about change. Instead of chasing the "New Year, New Me" fantasy, she advocates for something different: "New Year, Same Me." The idea isn't to reinvent yourself but to understand and nurture who you already are.
Why “New Year, New Me” Isn't Always Helpful?
Dr Nasr reveals how our well-intentioned push for total transformation can hinder real growth. Here's what gets in our way:
Feeling Overwhelmed: Lofty resolutions—losing 20 pounds, reading 50 books, a marathon— while ignoring the how and why behind these goals.
Change Doesn't Happen Overnight: You are the same person on January 1st as on December 31st. Actual growth happens by evolving your core self, not reinventing it.
Life Is Unpredictable: Rigid plans crumble when life throws curveballs, leaving you feeling like a failure.
Why Do Your Resolutions Feel Empty?
Common goals fail when they don't address the deeper why. Targeting the root reason behind behaviours ensures changes are sustainable.
The Secret to Resolutions That Stick
Instead of vague resolutions, Dr Nasr suggests to ask yourself:
When you identify the intention behind your goals, possibilities expand. Living with intention also removes pressure from a resolution's “deadline.” If you miss a day of exercise, you are not “failing” your goal. You are simply finding another way to stay aligned with your deeper purpose.
How to Stop the Cycle of Restarting Every Year?
Feeling like you must start over each year can hurt your self-esteem.
So rather than wiping the slate clean, Dr Nasr recommends an end-of-year reflection:
Acknowledging who you are today—your strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations—can help you evolve naturally. Focusing on why you want specific changes and letting that intention guide you will make your resolutions flexible and deeply personal.
How to Start Evolving in 2025?
Reflect, Don't Resolve: What brought you joy or stress last year? Identify patterns to shift gently.
Ask Why: Drill into your motivations. If you want to run a 5K, is it to feel strong or for external validation?
Start Small: Try habits like offering daily compliments—to yourself or others—to spark positive change.
Practice Self-Compassion: Acknowledge setbacks, adjust your approach, and keep going.
This year, skip the “New Year, New Me” frenzy.
Focus on deepening your understanding of the person you already are.
Real change begins with intention, and the results will follow when you find that.
Recommendations
Recommendations
