New Year, New You?? Not so fast…
We’ve all seen the slogan “new year, new you!” and felt the pressure of New Year’s Resolutions. Many of us feel stressed out just thinking about them, but others feel excited considering all the possibilities of the new year. You write down a long list of goals, hit the ground running on January 1 (or perhaps the Monday after), only to find yourself failing once again, just a few short weeks later.
Why is it, that when nature continues to hibernate, doing the slow work of growth in a season of rest, we humans attempt a major life change like it’s a beautiful energetic spring day? Most of us are still recovering from the hustle and bustle of the holidays, and, if we’re willing to admit it, at least once during that season, we just wished it was over so that we could rest. But now that it’s over, are we resting? Or, have we carried that same frenzied busy stress into a new season?
I’m not saying that you shouldn’t be considering how this year can be different. January is a wonderful time to reflect on the year behind and consider attitudes or behaviors that might better serve us in the year ahead. I’ll even include a few journal prompts at the end to help you!
But the truth is, if you’re still living in survival mode, the turn of a calendar page doesn’t propel you into thriving.
There are likely shifts that need to be made prior to you being able to meet your goals.
If you are living in the stress of fight-or-flight, your body is not going to release those last few pounds.
Instead of planning five workouts a week, strength training and walking 10,000 steps, try —> “I will choose to move my body for 15 minutes a day“ and let it build from there. Incorporate some mindfulness and gentle movement or breathing exercises each day to help reset your nervous system.
If you are not spiritually hungry, you’ll never read the Bible in a year.
Instead of 10 chapters a day every day no matter what, try this —> “Holy Spirit, would you stir hunger in me?”
If you are chronically late, just setting a goal to be on time with sheer willpower isn’t going to change that behavior.
Instead of just stating a goal to be on time and coming at it with brute strength, try to gently consider what your lateness is telling you. Maybe you need more sleep, a slower morning, something to look forward to in your day, or less screen time to tweak your routine.
Starting with small changes makes them attainable. Be proud of yourself as you meet them, sending the message to your brain, “yes, I like this!” Allow them to grow from there. Once you have one small change working for you, then add another. Your brain craves rewards and when we set our goals too high, we sense failure instead and giving up is the likely next step.
As Lauren and I have sat with clients recently, discussing this pressure of the new year, and even experiencing it in our own lives, we have felt a gentle pull to slow down, take a step back, and realign ourselves with what matters most.
God invites us to lean into Him for our needs and gives us the Holy Spirit to lead us in making changes. There are several encouraging promises as to how we can do this:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NLT
Isaiah 40:31 tells us, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Take time to rest, allow Him to refresh and reorient you, and enter the year recharged.
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33 NIV
Come to Jesus and talk to him about what you want to be different, but first ask Him to align your heart with what he has for your season.
“Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.” Romans 12:2 TPT
You may be surprised at how easily everything else comes when you are walking in alignment with theOne who knows the way and is offering to lead you.
Receive this as your permission to enter 2026 gently. Perhaps we tiptoe in, test the waters, let it rise on our ankles, and then as our calves and knees experience it, and when we truly feel ready, we can dive in and swim.
Things to consider prayerfully, and perhaps journal about:
What is truly most important to me? What have I been seeking above all else? Does this need to shift?
What am I proud of from 2025? What went well?
What hindered me in 2025? What was hard?
What do I need to let go of?
What do I want to carry forward?
How do I want to show up in my relationships, my work, my church, my life?
Allow these questions to guide you and invite God to reveal to you the truth in these answers. Remember His voice is gentle and kind.
