Why I Stopped Making New Year’s Resolutions

I don’t know about you, but I stopped making New Year’s resolutions a few years ago. As someone who can be overly driven by achievement, I found it challenging to set realistic goals.

The problem was that I would create a long list of objectives, which often proved to be too ambitious and unattainable. I planned to: eat better by cutting out all sugar, flour, additives, and coffee; start working out seven days a week; finally clear the clutter from my own home like I was helping my clients do; read more; start meditating every day; brush up on American Sign Language; and increase my volunteer hours.

<sigh> Talk about biting off more than I could chew…

After recognizing this pattern of behavior, I gave myself permission to let go of the tradition of making resolutions every January. While I still reflect on what I want to achieve, I don't put pressure on myself to accomplish everything at once. I've learned to take things one day at a time and focus on what's truly important to me.

By reducing the pressure I put on myself, I've been able to make positive changes in my life. I read more books than ever before, started doing yoga regularly, and made progress in decluttering my home. Instead of fretting over what I hadn't achieved, I celebrated what I had accomplished and looked forward to new experiences and adventures.

If you're feeling the weight of setting resolutions, consider following my lead and letting go of the pressure. Take things one day at a time and focus on what truly matters to you.