“New Year, New You” Isn’t Good for Your Mental Health
- Nisi Bennett
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Every January, we’re told the same story:
that this is the moment to become someone new.
New habits.
New routines.
New discipline.
A better version of yourself—preferably fast, visible, and measurable.
But for many people, “New Year, New You” doesn’t spark motivation. It creates pressure. It amplifies stress. And it quietly suggests that who you are right now isn’t enough.
After a year filled with cumulative exhaustion, caregiving, uncertainty, and emotional load, the expectation to immediately optimize your life isn’t inspiring—it’s overwhelming.
If the New Year feels heavy instead of hopeful, that’s not a personal failure.
It’s a sign that the resolution model doesn’t support real mental health.
Why New Year’s Resolutions Can Create More Stress Than Change
Traditional resolutions often miss the mark because they tend to:
Focus on fixing something that’s “wrong”
Set rigid, all-or-nothing expectations
Ignore capacity, seasonality, and real life
Measure success through productivity instead of well-being
They leave little room for grace, curiosity, or rest. And when life inevitably interrupts, the inner critic shows up fast.
For many people—especially caregivers, parents, neurodivergent individuals, and those navigating chronic stress—this pressure can feel more like a threat than motivation.
What to Do Instead: Gentle, Grounded Alternatives
If resolutions don’t work for you, you’re not failing. You’re listening.
Here are a few ways to enter the new year without the weight of unrealistic expectations.
1. Create a Values Board (Not a Vision Board)
Instead of asking, “What do I want to accomplish?”
Try asking, “How do I want to feel and show up?”
A values board centers principles like:
Rest
Connection
Integrity
Ease
Curiosity
Boundaries
Joy
You can still include images or words, but the focus is on alignment, not achievement.
This becomes a compass you can return to throughout the year—especially when things feel messy or unclear.
2. Try a Self-Care Bingo Board
Self-care doesn’t have to be aspirational.
It can be practical, playful, and realistic.
A Self-Care Bingo board might include moments like:
Took a walk without tracking it
Drank water before coffee
Asked for help
Canceled something without guilt
Did nothing on purpose
Laughed really hard
Went to bed early or stayed up late intentionally
No streaks. No perfection.
Just moments of care that meet you where you are.
3. Choose a Word, Theme, or Season
Instead of a long list of goals, choose one guiding anchor for the year:
A word (softness, steadiness, honesty)
A theme (less urgency, more margin)
Or a seasonal focus (rest in winter, expansion in spring)
This allows your year to unfold naturally instead of forcing it into a rigid plan.
You Don’t Need to Reinvent Yourself to Be Worthy
You are allowed to start the year slowly.
You are allowed to change your mind.
You are allowed to prioritize care over control.
Growth doesn’t always look like doing more.
Sometimes it looks like listening, simplifying, and honoring what’s already here.
This year, consider releasing the resolution—and choosing something that actually supports your well-being.
Your nervous system will thank you.
Kick off your self care journey and join us for one of the events below!
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