Ah, December was yesterday, the time of year when we’re bombarded with fairy lights, festive adverts, and a nauseating amount of social media posts featuring smug couples and families in matching Christmas jumpers or pyjamas. But amidst all this yuletide cheer comes the inevitable nudge — shove towards self-improvement. And by nudge, I mean that nagging voice in your head (and every marketing email) reminding you it’s time to reinvent yourself for 2025. Spoiler alert: You won’t. And that’s okay.
Let’s talk about New Year’s resolutions. I tackled this topic last year—a cheeky little blog explaining why New Year’s resolutions are a recipe for disaster. If you missed it, here’s the link: Why New Year’s Resolutions Don’t Work. Go on, have a read. I’ll wait. Done? Fabulous. Let’s dive into why this year, instead of setting yourself up for failure, you should embrace the joy of doing absolutely nothing revolutionary.
The 14-Day Phenomenon
Did you know most of us abandon our resolutions within 14 days? That’s right. A fortnight. Two measly weeks. It’s like the honeymoon period of self-discipline, except instead of sipping cocktails on a beach, you’re gagging on kale smoothies and pretending to love burpees. Gyms love it, though. You sign up, full of enthusiasm, and by mid-January, they’ve got your money whether you’re there sweating it out or sitting at home bingeing Netflix in your activewear. Capitalism at its finest.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m all for self-improvement—just not the kind that requires you to fork out for a Peloton you’ll use as a very expensive clothes rack by February. Instead of setting yourself up for failure with a list of impossible goals, why not take a different approach this year?
Forget Goals—Go for Giggles
2025 should be the year of joy, not guilt. Instead of saying, “I’m going to lose 20lbs and run a marathon,” try this: “I’m going to dance like a lunatic every Saturday morning while cleaning the house.” Trust me, it’s just as good for your mental health, and no one will judge you for sweating to Mamma Mia’s soundtrack in your pyjamas. Probably.
Or how about, “I’m going to try one new dessert recipe a month”? Sure, it’s not going to get you into that size-eight dress, but it will make you very popular at parties. Plus, isn’t a well-fed friend group better than fleeting abs?
Practical Resolutions You Won’t Hate Yourself For
Still feeling the urge to make resolutions? Fine. But let’s be sensible about it. Here are a few suggestions you can actually stick to:
Drink more water. Seriously. It’s boring but effective. Your skin will thank you, and you’ll feel smug every time you refill that overpriced reusable water bottle you bought to save the planet. I bring my herb garden inside in Oct and I have basil, mint, stevia at my finger tips. I throw a few leaves into a diffuser bottle. Trust me, just adding a few herbs in the bottle, makes all the difference. It tastes so good!
Reply to texts. We all have that friend who takes a week to respond to a simple “how are you?” If that’s you, maybe make 2025 the year you stop ghosting your mates. That’s my kids, unless they want something and then they will respond immediately!
Unsubscribe from emails. There’s no reason you need to be notified about sales from a shop you bought one pair of socks from in 2019. Free your inbox and your mind. Its actually very therapeutic. I do this over the holidays while I’m binging on Christmas Rom coms.
Learn one useless skill. Juggling. Whistling with your fingers. Reciting the alphabet backwards. Impress people at parties and enjoy being a bit weird. It’s charming, I promise.
Go outside. Ground breaking, I know. But seriously, a 10-minute walk does wonders. And no, walking to the fridge doesn’t count.
Embrace the Flawsome
Here’s a radical idea: What if, instead of focusing on what’s “wrong” with you, you leaned into what’s already pretty fabulous? Maybe you’re terrible at punctuality but an absolute genius at organising last-minute get-togethers. Or perhaps your cooking skills are questionable, but your delivery-order game is unmatched. Celebrate the chaos that makes you, YOU!
2025: The Year of Small Wins
Big resolutions are overrated. Instead, focus on tiny, achievable victories. Had a salad for lunch? Win. Remembered to water the plants before they turned into crispy husks? Win. Managed to say no to plans you didn’t actually want to go to? Huge win. Life isn’t about grand gestures; it’s about the little things that make you smile. Like your dog’s goofy grin when you say the word “treat” or finding bills in your coat pocket – I found a $50 bill in a purse I hadn’t used for a while – it definitely made me smile!
A Word on Self-Compassion
Before we wrap this up, let’s have a quick heart-to-heart. The pressure to become a whole new person every January is absurd. You’re not a smartphone that needs an annual upgrade. You’re a beautifully complex, slightly messy human being. And you’re doing just fine. So, be kind to yourself. Cut yourself some slack. And maybe, just maybe, let 2025 be the year you stop chasing perfection and start chasing joy instead.
Final Thoughts
Forget the gym memberships and juice cleanses. Embrace the small, silly, and joyful moments. If you’re determined to make a resolution, make it this: “In 2025, I’m going to laugh more, stress less, and be unapologetically myself.” Because honestly, the world doesn’t need a shinier, slimmer, or more productive version of you. It just needs you.
Now, go forth and be guilt-free for enjoying those festive snacks! And if anyone asks what your New Year’s resolution is, just tell them, “To make it to February without rolling my eyes at this question.”
Cheers to that!
