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January - Reflect

Reflect, Relax and Renew and don't worry if Resolutions Aren't Your Thing

Ah, January—the month that feels like a fresh start, a blank page waiting to be filled. With the December buzz fading and the calendar turning over, there's a certain pressure to set new goals, change habits, and become a "new you." Enter the New Year’s resolution—an annual tradition that’s meant to kickstart self-improvement.

But let’s be real: Not everyone is all-in on the idea of New Year’s resolutions. Maybe they feel cliché, fleeting, or just plain impossible to keep. If you’ve ever set a resolution and found it hard to stick with, you’re definitely not alone. And for those of you who don’t believe in the whole resolution thing, I get it—it can feel like a setup for failure, or maybe you don’t see why a date on the calendar should dictate when change happens.

So, if you're not fully bought into the “New Year, New You” mentality but still want to find some motivation or ways to move forward in January, here’s the good news: the theme of this month can be about reflection, not necessarily transformation.


Reflecting Without the Pressure

The beauty of January isn’t in some drastic makeover; it’s in the invitation to pause and reflect. Reflect on what worked in the previous year, what didn’t, and what truly mattered. This is an opportunity to revisit your life without the pressure of feeling like you have to set big goals.

Instead of setting a resolution, try setting some time aside to really ask yourself:

  • What do I want to carry over from last year?

  • What do I want to let go of or change?

  • What habits, routines, or patterns are helping or hurting me?

  • Are there any areas of my life that could use a little extra attention or nurturing?

You can reflect without judgment or the need for immediate action. You don’t have to have a perfect answer, but the process can help you be more intentional about how you approach the next few months. And that alone can be a powerful shift in perspective.


January - Reflect
January - Reflect

How to Keep Going (Even If Resolutions Feel Like a Trap)

Let’s face it—keeping a resolution is hard, especially if it’s not something that feels sustainable for you. So, if you're feeling doubtful about the typical “I’m going to work out five days a week” or “I’m going to eat perfectly” resolutions, here’s how you can still move forward without putting yourself under the microscope:

  1. Start Small and Focus on Progress, Not Perfection Resolutions often fail because we go in with an all-or-nothing mentality. Instead of saying, “I’m going to do X every day without fail,” try setting micro-goals. For example, if you want to be more active, start with a 10-minute walk a few times a week. If you want to eat healthier, add one vegetable to your meals each day instead of overhauling your entire diet. Tiny changes build momentum.

  2. Give Yourself Permission to Rest Part of the reason resolutions don’t stick is because we think we need to push ourselves constantly. But rest and grace are also part of the equation. If you slip up or miss a goal, it’s okay. Reflection should also include acknowledging your limits and knowing when to take a step back. You’ll come back stronger when you’re ready.

  3. Use Reflection as a Guide, Not a Judgment Tool Reflecting doesn’t need to be about criticising yourself or being hard on your past mistakes. Use it to get clear on what you truly want, even if you’re unsure about a specific goal. Ask questions like, “What would make me feel more fulfilled?” or “What is one small change that could bring me joy?” Reflection can help you uncover things that are already within you, waiting to be nurtured.

  4. Create a Flexibility Framework Life doesn’t always go according to plan, and January doesn’t guarantee that everything will go smoothly. Create goals that have room to flex—so when things get busy or difficult, you can adjust your approach without feeling like you’ve failed. Flexibility is key to sustainability.

  5. Celebrate the Small Wins If you’re not into the “big goal” mentality, find joy in the everyday progress. Celebrate even the small victories: maybe you ate a healthy meal, took a moment to relax, or simply spent time with loved ones. Those little moments count and can add up in ways you didn’t expect.


Conclusion: Moving Forward at Your Own Pace

January doesn’t have to be about rigid resolutions or feeling pressured to transform. It can be a month of reflection, of pausing to consider what’s important, and of moving forward at your own pace—without the need for perfection. Let the theme of the month be about acknowledging where you are and finding ways to grow and evolve in small, sustainable ways.

The goal isn’t to reinvent yourself overnight—it’s to take one step at a time, with purpose and understanding, and embrace whatever that step looks like for you. So take a breath, reflect, and remember that whatever you choose to focus on this month is valid, even if it’s not a “resolution” in the traditional sense.

Here’s to a January full of reflection and quiet growth.


My latest book is out now and has journaling prompts for each month. Available now from my website : Book, Gift Sets, & Workshops | Lyndsey H Greer


Take care and have a reflective month,

Lyndsey


Positive Mindset Coach, Hypnotherapist, NLP Practitioner

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