The start of a new year often comes with a long list of resolutions. Many women feel pressure to overhaul their lives, yet the data shows how quickly resolutions fade. What if we embraced gentle intentions and self‑acceptance instead?
I have a longtime client who used to create a spreadsheet of yearly goals ranging from strict diets to daily workouts and perfect parenting plans. By mid‑month she felt discouraged and judged herself for ‘failing.’ We worked on shifting her perspective – focusing on what matters most and meeting herself with compassion when she missed a day. She learned to celebrate progress and adjust goals rather than abandoning them. Her sense of self‑worth no longer depended on crossing off every box.
Market research shows that 92% of adults will not follow through on their New Year’s resolution. About 23% of adults quit within the first week of January, and by the end of the month, 43% have abandoned their goals. These statistics highlight why rigid resolutions can set us up for disappointment.
Choose one area of your life you’d like to nurture – perhaps sleep, movement or connection. Set a small, specific intention, such as going for a walk twice a week or calling a friend every Sunday. Write down why this intention matters to you. When you slip, remind yourself that it’s normal and simply begin again.
Sustainable change grows from self‑acceptance. By setting compassionate intentions and allowing room for imperfection, you can build habits that nourish you all year long.
With love and compassion,
Melissa
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[1] APA Data Source
Setting Intentions with Self-Acceptance
