Before You Make a New Year’s Resolution, Read This

Written by: Lindsay Little, MS — Holistic Health Coach

We’re almost there. The final stretch of the year. That weird, in-between season where your calendar is full, your fridge is confused, and your energy is...iffy at best.

This is usually the point where we all start saying things like:
“I’ll get back on track after the holidays.”
“I just need to make it to January.”
“I’ll set new goals once the chaos is over.”

But what if we didn’t wait? What if we stopped dragging ourselves across the finish line every December, only to try and sprint again on January 1st?

Let’s not do that this year. Let’s make this December about reconnecting instead of restarting.

You don’t need a new version of yourself in January. You just need to make space for the version of you that’s already trying to come up for air.

Why the Old Way Doesn’t Work

If you’ve ever set a resolution and abandoned it by mid-January (welcome to the club), you’re not the problem—your approach was.

The old way looks like this:
➡ Burn yourself out all December
➡ Feel like garbage
➡ Set an unrealistic goal out of panic
➡ Go all in for 2 weeks
➡ Quit
➡ Feel guilty
➡ Repeat next year

Sound familiar?

What’s missing is the pause—the chance to actually reflect on what you want, what’s working, and what you’re done pretending is still helpful. Before we set a new goal, we have to clear space for it.

What You Actually Need Before Setting a New Goal

This isn’t a “do more” list. This is a “know yourself better before jumping in” moment.

Below are 4 simple prompts to help you reset your mindset before January. You can write them out in a journal, talk them through with a friend, or even—if you’re feeling techy—paste them into a tool like ChatGPT and have it ask you each one at a time. You don’t need to be a “journaler” or super introspective. Just be honest. That’s where the magic is.

1. What’s already working?

You don’t need to scrap everything and start over. Maybe you’re walking regularly. Drinking water. Cooking more. Lifting weights twice a week. These “small” wins matter more than you think. Take inventory of what’s already solid. That’s your foundation.

2. What are you done pretending works?

Be brutally honest: what have you been clinging to that no longer serves you? Skipping meals to “save up” for dinner? Cutting carbs and bingeing later? Trying to force yourself into early morning workouts when you’re already sleep-deprived?

Call it out. Then let it go.

3. How do you want to feel—not just what do you want to fix?

Most goals focus on what we want to lose. But what do you want to gain? Peace? Confidence? Energy? Better sleep? If you’re over 40, this is especially important. Your goals should shift with your body—not fight against it. Our bodies really start to change as we go through almost a “reverse puberty”. If your body is changing, your goals should be too.

4. What would support actually look like in January?

Not “perfection.” Not “all or nothing.” Support might look like pre-booking your workouts. Or building a grocery routine. Or looping in your partner or a coach. Or just deciding to stop trying to do everything alone.

You don’t have to figure it all out right now—just get clear on what you’d need to succeed. The goal is sustainability, not pressure.

Want a Jumpstart? Start Here.

Before you set a new goal, get grounded with these simple habits:

• Move your body daily (it doesn’t have to be intense—just consistent)

• Prioritize protein and fiber at every meal

• Drink water like it’s your job

• Sleep like you mean it

• Give yourself grace (progress > perfection, always)
  
  

These rhythms aren’t fancy—but they work. And they’re the exact things you’ll wish you had in place when January rolls around and life doesn’t magically get easier.

Bonus: Already Feeling the Holiday Weight Gain Panic?

If you’re in the “I already feel behind” zone, take a deep breath. You don’t need to do this perfectly either.

👉 Check out last month’s article: Your Holiday Weight Gain Survival Guide for five real-life strategies to keep you feeling strong, not stuffed, all season long. No shame. No rules. Just helpful habits that actually fit real life.

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need a New You—Just a More Supported You

You are not broken. You don’t need to be rebuilt.
You don’t have to punish yourself into progress.

This December, give yourself space to breathe. Reflect. Be honest. Be kind.

And when January comes? You’ll already be grounded. Ready. Clear.
Not because you hustled harder—but because you finally stopped doing what doesn’t work.

You’ve got this. I’m cheering you on all the way.

Hey there! I’m Lindsay! I’m a Holistic Health Coach with a Master's Degree in Holistic Nutrition and a specialization in gut health. In my virtual health coaching practice, Full Bloom Acres Wellness, I help busy women over 35 eat the foods they love without embarrassing, painful, and annoying digestive issues. I would love to help you, too! Connect with me on social media at @fullbloomacres or on my website, www.fullbloomacres.com. 

DISCLAIMER: This information is for educational and informational use only and is not meant to diagnose or treat disease or illness. Please work with a qualified healthcare practitioner before making dietary or lifestyle changes.