Why I’m Done with Traditional Resolutions

I am awful at New Year’s resolutions. Every year, I make this big, shiny list of things I’m supposed to do-drink 120 ounces of water, wake up early, meditate for 15 minutes every day-and then I dive in for a solid week. I track everything obsessively, convinced this finally is going to be the year when I stick to my resolutions. To be honest, I’ve probably spent way too much time making a Notion tracker or filling out a physical planner.

Then life happens.

One day I forget to meditate or I’m too busy. Then I skip tracking my water or I just drink ZERO water in a single day. A few weeks in, and I realize I haven’t looked at my resolution list at all. Then a month goes by, and I forgot I made resolutions in the first place.

The truth is, it’s not me that’s broken. It’s the resolutions.

Why Resolutions Don’t Work for Me

Here’s the thing about resolutions: They’re often rooted in lack.

When we make resolutions, we’re usually focusing on what’s wrong with us, or what we believe we’re lacking:

• “I’m not healthy enough, so I’ll lose weight.”
• “I’m not disciplined enough, so I’ll stick to a workout plan.”
• “I’m not productive enough, so I’ll wake up at 5 a.m. every day.

They start off from a bad place: what we think we should do, or what we need to fix. Instead of inspiring us, resolutions often sound like a chore or a punishment.

Here’s why I think they fail me every year

• They’re Negative: Resolutions focus on what we don’t have, rather than what we love. They encourage neither celebration of ourselves nor appreciation for things that bring us joy.
• They Live in Fantasy: Resolutions don’t take into consideration the daily realities of life, like busy schedules, unavoidable events, or even just utter tiredness. They want perfection, and once we slip up-even once-then it feels like it’s a failure.
• They Aren’t Fun: If it’s not fun or doesn’t seem like something that I might actually enjoy, well, then I’m simply just not going to do it-period.

That’s why I’m not doing resolutions anymore. This year, I’m doing something completely different: creating an Adventure Year.

What I’m Doing Instead

Instead of focusing on “fixing” myself, I’m focusing on what lights me up. My Adventure Year isn’t about achieving perfection or ticking off a list of goals. It’s about designing a year that feels joyful, curious, and fun.

I spent a lot of time in my coaching and advisory practice building a bespoke framework. Now, I want to share it with you. So, here’s the structure I’m using:

• Ground: Building stability and mindfulness with small, sustainable habits. Grounding myself to reconnect with who I am, and where I want to be.
• Glow: Prioritizing joy and creativity by dedicating time to things that make me sparkle.
• Grow: Expanding my horizons with a something that helps me learn; that challenges me.
• Gratitude: Focusing on small wins, celebrating progress, and appreciating the beauty of the present moment.
• Grit: Embracing challenges that terrify me, finding ways to build my resilience and working on my adaptability.

This framework focuses on key areas that can overlap across your entire life. Health, wealth, wellbeing — you name it. So, what’s really different? None of these are about fixing myself or chasing an outcome. They’re about leaning into what makes me feel like me.

How to Create Your Own Adventure Year

If resolutions just don’t work for you, here’s how you design your own Adventure Year:

• Reflect on What Sparks Joy: Ask yourself, “What makes me feel alive? What do I want to explore or rediscover this year?”
• Choose Your Focus Areas: Choose 3–5 areas you want to nurture, such as creativity, connection, or mindfulness.
• Set Intentions, Not Rules: Reflect on how you want to feel and what you want to nurture, not just what you want to achieve.
• Add Playfulness: Build in fun, whether it’s small adventures, quirky traditions, or celebrating little wins.

Join Me on This Adventure

This year, I’m not chasing resolutions or trying to fix myself. I’m leaning into what makes me happy and creating a year that feels like me.

If you’re ready to approach 2025 differently, I’m hosting a free workshop to help map out your own Adventure Year. We’re going in deep: focus areas, setting intentions, and actually creating tools to make your year joyful and meaningful.

Comment below if you want in, and let’s make 2025 a year we’re excited about!