February is the perfect time to talk about New Year’s resolutions.
Hear me out.
Now that the rush of January has passed and the potential enthusiasm for New Year’s resolutions has waned, there’s no better time to explore, create, or re-commit to your goals for 2025.
While the world has been telling us that resolutions are no longer working, my brain has been making lists since November. A new year just fills me with excitement—it means new beginnings, endless possibilities, and that the best is yet to come.
While the word “resolution” is often condemned in today’s popular culture, gentler terms like, “rhythms,” “routines,” “seasons,” and “cycles” are still typically embraced.
I’m guilty of using a handful of these phrases multiple times per blog these days.
The truth is that I am terrible at resolutions.
Actually, I’m great at making resolutions. I create a lengthy list of them with high hopes that this is the year I’ll make some progress toward everything I want to be—a person with a consistent workout routine, someone who journals regularly, snacks less, and watches way less TV, and oh…did I mention practices a deep and grounding sense of peace and gratitude at all moments of my day?
It’s the follow-through that trips me up.
I think that anybody can make a change in their life at any time.
And it’s not very often that a big, earth-shattering moment happens to us that makes us a different person. It’s the little, tiny moments—waking up 15 minutes earlier, pausing to look out the window while you enjoy your coffee and choosing to be thankful instead of rushing out the door, taking the stairs, saying yes, saying no, and saying ‘thank you.’
You inch your way along, feeling a lot like a wobbly toddler, until suddenly, you stop and look around and realize that everything is different. That any small change is one step closer to becoming the person you’ve just dreamt about in passing.
Why do I think resolutions are so important to talk about (especially in February)?
Because we’re bombarded with noise and distractions that constantly try to move us farther away from achieving our goals and purpose.
A month into the new year we’ve still got some drive and hope to make this year into what we want it to be. Plus, we’ve still got ample time to get started on habits that will only continue to benefit us for the rest of the year.
Note: Creating goals and habits or deciding to go after what you want in life can and should start ANY day of the year. Don’t wait for some arbitrary date to start living your life.
Here are a couple of ways to introduce change or stick to your goals in a way that’s sustainable and sets you up for success:
Start Small
No matter how big or small your goal is, break it down into manageable, bite-sized pieces to make sustainable progress.
It’s also typically better to create a smaller sub-goal to work toward to keep yourself motivated. If you consistently hit a smaller goal, you’ll be less likely to burn out than if you were only able to hit a larger goal less frequently—plus, the consistency moves you steadily toward your ambitions.
Choose Your Why & Write It Down
If you don’t know the ultimate purpose behind your goal (i.e., working out to be healthier for your family, etc.), you will get derailed despite your best intentions.
Be specific and write down exactly why you’re working so hard toward something (or dreaming about it)—and look at it frequently. Maybe every time you’re about to make progress on your goal, maybe every time you wake up, or are about to head to the gym. You can get creative and write it somewhere you’ll see often, like on a bathroom mirror, setting a reminder on your phone, or making it your phone background for awhile.
Each time you see the words, read them aloud and take a minute to let them sink in. Too often when we try to use written reminders, we hit a point where our brain has seen it a few times and we begin to just gloss over it. If you find that happening, choose a new place to display your why, or find a new way to remind yourself of it.
Pave The Way
Have you heard about people who sleep in their workout clothes the night before to ensure they actually go for that run or go to the gym?
Streamline your path to your goal—set up your coffee machine the night before, choose your outfit, or leave that book you’ve been wanting to read on top of your phone or laptop so you have to pick it up first.
We generally crave what’s easiest and most convenient for us—so take a few minutes to figure out what you need to make your goals easy to get started on.
Celebrate With Incentives
Whether you consider a good old-fashioned reward system, a sticker chart, or some kind of treat to reward your hard work, the important part here is celebration. Take joy in the fact that you have made progress and that’s AMAZING.
However you choose to frame the concept of resolutions, habits, or rhythms, the bottom line is to accept that progress toward your purpose is the ultimate goal and win.
What’s one of your resolutions, goals, or rhythms you want to introduce this year?
Little Minimalist on the Prairies 