Finding Support to Help With Your New Year’s Resolutions

Happy 2026!

If you are like most of the world, you probably have familiarity with setting resolutions for January 1st. Perhaps you also have familiarity with setting these resolutions and then, for some reason, not reaching these goals during the year.

You are not alone! You can find countless studies that show that only a small percentage of people are able to keep their NYE resolutions. This daunting statistic can keep people from setting goals or resolutions for the next year.

Resolutions or goals should not be:

• Based on pressure we set on ourselves or from others
• Unrealistic and overwhelming
• Unsustainable
• Based in perfectionism or in “all or nothing” thinking

Many of these unhelpful patterns develop because we expect that change should be quick, or that productivity is tied in with self-worth. Factors such as cultural expectations, and social and personal comparison can make it easy to set goals that feel more like obligations than genuine desires. When these resolutions begin to be difficult to keep up with, consider that it may not be a personal failure but a sign that the goal is not aligned with your core values. Take time to reflect on why a goal matters, rather than just what the goal is.

Resolutions or goals should be:

• Connected to personal core values
• Flexible and evolving
• Compassionate
• Based on processes and not results

Rather than viewing the New Year as a benchmark for transformation, it can be helpful to see it as an invitation to gently check in with yourself. Growth often happens in small, consistent steps rather than dramatic overhauls. Allowing space for curiosity, rest, and recalibration can make change feel more sustainable. Progress may look uneven, and that’s okay. Setbacks can offer valuable information about what you need, rather than evidence that you are “off track.” When goals are rooted in self-understanding and flexibility, they are more likely to support long-term well-being instead of burnout or discouragement.

It’s important to note that it is ok to want to set goals for the New Year. Having someone walk alongside you and support you during this process is important. Talking with a therapist can help you discover what your core values are, how to set SMART goals, and can help guide you with compassion to move towards your resolutions.

If you don’t have a therapist, you are currently working with, Through the Woods can help you find the right fit for you.

Visit our website to learn more or to book your free consultation today. You can also get in touch by email at info@throughthewoods.ca or phone at (403) 984-7922.

From the team at Through the Woods Psychology, we wish you a healthy, positive start to your year!