New Year
With the beginning of the New Year, it is often the case that people see this as a clean slate and begin planning goals/resolutions for the year. In 2025, 1 in 5 people in the UK confirmed that they had set New Year resolutions. The main areas that resolutions are set are in improving health, whether that be through fitness or diet, and financial saving goals.
As often shown through media, or chatting with our friends, statistics confirm that just 38% of people who set New Year’s resolutions stick to them. This can be for many reasons, such as the goals set not being achievable, and developing these resolutions into long-term habits. Additionally, it can be difficult to stick to goals at the start of the New Year; with the days being shorter, the unpleasant weather, and tiredness from the festive period.
For more information about yearly resolution trends, please follow this link – What New Year’s resolutions are Britons making for 2026? | YouGov
When not sticking to the resolutions we’ve set, this can leave us feeling disappointed as it is an opportunity to develop personally. I have personally found this frustrating, and have used some tips to help these resolutions become a long-term goal!
Here are some tips that may help make your resolutions easier to stick to:
- Make the goal achievable – It can be easy to set a general resolution, for example being healthier, which can make it more difficult to achieve. Spending a little time breaking the goal down so it’s more achievable will help to remain consistent with the goal. For example, becoming healthier can be broken down by going to the gym/moving twice a week, and using a step count.
- Be patient! – If a resolution you’ve set is a new challenge for you. It can take a little while for this behaviour to become habitual. Remaining consistent with your goal will help integrate this into your day-to-day life.
- Challenging the inner critic – When sticking to resolutions, there are often moments when you may not stick to this for a variety of reasons, such as if feeling unwell. It is important to allow yourself that flexibility, and to ignore the inner critic as being too hard on yourself can make it harder to stick to the goal long-term.
- Sharing your goals – Sharing a goal with a friend or family member can help us stick to our resolution as they are able to support you when your motivation may be low. Joining a group, whether that be for exercise or a social activity group, can also help you remain consistent as you’re working on your resolution with others.
There is also research suggesting that Spring is a good time to begin your resolutions. With the days being longer, the weather breaking through with more sunshine, and nature around us beginning to bloom, this highlights a perfect time for a new start.
For more information, please visit the link below:
By setting resolutions or goals for the year, being kind to yourself, and using these tips will help you remain consistent and ultimately achieve your goals! If you’re struggling to maintain the goals at the start of the year, beginning them in Spring may be a better suited time.
There are courses on our website for challenging negative self-talk:
Misha Kenning
Valleys Steps Volunteer