The start of a new year brings with it a wave of motivation for change. For many, this motivation manifests in New Year's resolutions: a fresh list of goals we set for ourselves with the hope that this time, we’ll stick to them. While setting goals can certainly be a positive thing, I've often found that New Year's resolutions can be more damaging than motivating. Here's why I don't think New Year's resolutions are always the healthiest way to start the year and why I’ve decided to do things a little differently in 2025.
1. The Pressure to Be Perfect
New Year’s resolutions often come with a sense of perfectionism. We create these ambitious goals, like losing weight, exercising every day, or radically changing our lifestyle and feel the pressure to meet them exactly. When we inevitably fall short, we can feel like failures, which can lead to frustration and burnout. Instead of feeling empowered to make positive changes, the rigid nature of resolutions can quickly turn them into a source of stress.
2. Unrealistic Expectations
Many resolutions are set with the best intentions, but they can be unrealistic. We might say, “I’m going to exercise every single day” or “I’m going to completely overhaul my diet,” but these goals don’t always align with our real lives. Life happens, there are busy days, setbacks, and unexpected challenges and when resolutions are set without flexibility, they can feel impossible to maintain.
3. All or Nothing Mentality
New Year’s resolutions often come with an “all or nothing” mindset. If we fail to meet one part of our goal, we might give up entirely. This approach can undermine our sense of progress and prevent us from celebrating small victories along the way. Instead of focusing on the journey and making gradual improvements, the pressure to achieve perfection can derail our motivation.
4. The Cycle of Guilt
When resolutions inevitably don’t stick, we fall into a cycle of guilt and self-criticism. This emotional toll can erode our confidence and motivation, making it harder to stay focused on long-term growth. Instead of feeling empowered to make positive changes, we end up feeling discouraged and disheartened.
Why I’m Embracing “25 Things to Complete in 2025” Instead
This year, I’ve decided to ditch the traditional New Year’s resolutions and take a different approach. Rather than making one big, rigid resolution that I’m bound to break, I’ve written down 25 things I want to complete in 2025. Here’s why this works better for me:
1. Flexibility Over Perfection
I’m not holding myself to the idea that I have to complete everything on the list within the first week or month. These 25 things are more of a guide for the year, giving me a sense of direction without the stress of perfection. I’m giving myself permission to move at my own pace, adjusting as needed and celebrating progress rather than expecting perfection.
2. Smaller, Achievable Goals
Each item on my list is something specific I’d like to achieve, but none of them are monumental, unrealistic tasks. It could be as simple as reading a new book, learning a new skill, or focusing on improving my work-life balance. These are all attainable goals that I can work towards throughout the year without overwhelming myself or setting myself up for failure.
3. Room for Growth
The beauty of a “25 Things to Complete” list is that there’s no pressure to do everything perfectly. If I miss one or two things on the list, it doesn’t feel like I’ve “failed.” Instead, I can simply focus on the goals that matter most and adjust the list as I go along. There’s room for growth, learning, and flexibility, and I think that’s essential for long-term success.
4. Empowerment and Motivation
This list gives me a sense of accomplishment. Every time I check off an item, I’m reinforcing the idea that small, consistent efforts add up. It empowers me to take action and move forward, even if my progress isn’t linear. This sense of accomplishment helps keep my motivation high throughout the year.
5. Personal Reflection
Lastly, by focusing on a list of 25 things for the year, I’m giving myself the time and space to reflect on what truly matters. It’s not about fitting into a rigid template of “New Year’s resolutions,” but about choosing meaningful, intentional actions that align with my values. These goals are a reflection of what I hope to achieve for myself, not what I think I “should” do because of some external pressure.
Whilst there are a couple on that list related to Petal & Pine, my favourite one has to be:
To live slower but fully: It’s about saying no to the endless events/to-do lists, creating space to breathe, and focusing on fewer things— but with more depth, meaning, and purpose.