As the New Year approaches, many of us begin to contemplate resolutions, hoping to turn the page to a new chapter of self-improvement. While numerous individuals abandon these intentions, a handful manage to see them through. Here are the insights from those who’ve successfully followed through on their New Year’s resolutions.
About 30% of Americans set New Year’s resolutions each year, despite the challenge of maintaining them. A significant number of people, like Danielle Mini, focus on crafting actionable and meaningful goals. Mini, for example, made a commitment to not buy new clothes for a whole year, inspired by concerns about the fashion industry’s environmental impact. Her precise aim—to shop only at thrift stores or consignment shops—helped her stick to her plan. In 2025, she aims to continue by starting composting and finishing her memoir.
For Lillian Kay, the tradition of setting resolutions has been a fun family activity since childhood. Evolving this custom, she and her mother now create a yearly ‘bucket list.’ Their ’24 for ’24’ list included activities like tennis lessons and reading more nonfiction. The flexible approach enabled them to enjoy the process while achieving several goals, making the experience enjoyable and successful.
Monica May offers an alternative approach by choosing a word of intention instead of rigid plans. After facing an injury that prevented her from completing an Ironman triathlon, she adopted this strategy to reduce pressure, increase flexibility, and maintain motivation. Her words—like ‘resilience’ and ‘wander’—guide her yearly goals. For 2025, her guiding word will be ‘shine,’ symbolizing her aspiration to take bold actions and avoid self-limitation.
Personal development coach Jenna Zabrosky suggests a unique perspective by celebrating past successes and envisioning the future. She encourages acknowledging achievements and forming goals based on a detailed vision of where one wants to be by the end of the year. Emphasizing vision over immediate resolution-setting aligns with personal growth and stability.
Maria Kugler, a wellness coach, advises against the rush to start anew in January. As a mother and yoga instructor, she understands the need to align resolutions with personal timelines. After the birth of her child early in the year, she realized the value of slowing down, allowing herself time to plan and reflect, and set achievable goals after the initial months.
Whether it’s about setting actionable goals, making the resolutions enjoyable, finding a guiding word, celebrating past achievements, or giving oneself the time to start goals, these individuals offer valuable perspectives. Their experiences show that resolutions can be more than just promises—they can be a path to meaningful changes.
Source: Yahoo
