Every year, the same questions, ambition, or maybe, shall we say, goals. New year resolutions, of course, what else?
What shall you stop doing or start doing? New year resolutions are framed in our mind as a new start, a new canvas, a new page. Like closing the old and starting the new with increased positive intentions. Not that we necessarily lack ambition or passion to achieve it, though each year, the New Year’s resolutions do fade away. Have you ever noticed that? Why wait for a new year when you can start anytime you want to become a better version of yourself?
It is a mindset thing. What is your mindset around starting something new? Always begin at the start of the week or the start of a new year. Observe your patterns.
I am getting back to New Year’s resolutions. What if you can shift your mindset from adding more to the list to being more intentional?
Personal growth does not depend on calendars. It depends on your willingness to pause and start listening.
Here are some tips to help you think differently about New Year’s resolutions.
What should I stop doing?
Stopping is mostly harder than starting or planning a new activity. Why? Because it required honesty, being brutal with yourself, observing and noticing your patterns of thoughts, and actions that don’t serve you anymore.
You may need to stop:
- Saying yes out of habit or fear of disappointing others
- Staying busy to avoid deeper decisions
- Holding on to an old identity because it once worked
- Measuring your worth by output alone
Signs it’s time to stop:
- You feel drained even when things are “going well”
- You procrastinate not because you’re lazy, but because something feels off.
- You feel relief when plans are cancelled.
- You keep negotiating with yourself instead of choosing.
These are not weaknesses. They are signals.
What to start doing?
Starting something new does not mean being exhausted or copying someone’s ambitions. On the contrary, it means choosing wisely and consciously what you want to achieve for yourself.
You might consider starting to:
- Have honest conversations you’ve been postponing.
- Set boundaries that protect your energy, not just your time
- Make decisions before you feel 100% ready.
- Prioritise clarity over speed
Signs you’re ready to start:
- A quiet inner nudge that keeps returning
- Curiosity replacing fear
- A sense that “something needs to shift,” even if you can’t fully name it yet
Growth rarely arrives with certainty. It arrives with readiness.
Let’s continue with another aspect that we neglect whilst preparing for a new year.
What should I continue doing?
Not everything needs changing. I am sure you have habits that are working for you. Rituals that give you inner peace and calmness, ground you or move you forward.
And these are the things to continue doing. As my motto: Consistency is key to success.
Continue:
- Habits that ground you
- Relationships that support your growth
- Practices that help you reflect and recalibrate
- Ways of working that still energise you
Signs something deserves to continue:
- It still aligns with your values.
- It supports who you are becoming, not just who you were
- It gives you energy rather than obligation.
Why start now?
I know January 2026 is just around the corner, though starting to think about the above aspects will lay the groundwork for being ready to have these difficult self-conversations, as being honest with yourself is not easy.
Starting now will give you the space to try, see, test, and adjust. Maybe you need to pivot from one angle to another. How would you know if you don’t try?
And for those sticking to the new year, please think about the above questions. Clarity of mind is the first step toward achieving your goals. Little steps, one after the other.
A Different Kind of Resolution
Instead of asking, “What should I achieve next year?”
Try asking:
- What am I ready to release?
- What kind of energy do I want to protect?
- What version of myself am I growing into?
The most meaningful resolutions are not loud.
They are honest.
And they don’t start on January 1st.
They start the moment you decide to listen.
Sometimes we need to have a nudge, a kick, and I am willing to give you that extra boost or spark of inspiration.
My followers know I am always up for collaboration, and here I have partnered with dear Dina Wehbe for a 2026 Vision Board experience that will give you the clarity you need, with mindset tools and techniques that will open your mind.
And doing this together with like-minded people is always a pleasure as we can exchange, share and support each other.
Here is the link for the experience: https://innkick.com/events/your-next-level-vision-board-experience-2026/
I wish you an excellent festive season and a happy, healthy new year, with lots of inspiration and let-go, let-in ideas.
Always here if you need a friend to listen.