By Emma Coleman, Film and TV Subeditor
It’s that time of the year again when the buzz of Christmas is wearing off and the reality of all those roasts, chocolate and mulled wine eaten and drunk starts to set in. Here we all are frantically planning the ‘new me’ for 2026, signing up to gym memberships, making lists of resolutions and ordering vitamins and supplements (Holland and Barrett sales must be going through the roof), but year after year we can only keep these habits for a few weeks or months at best. So, how can you make it stick?
1. Focus on small steps and not just a huge, daunting goal
For example, if your goal is to eat healthier and cut out junk food, don’t just plan to stop ordering a late night maccies and eat more vegetables. Break it down. Meal plan the first week of January focusing on nutrient categories like protein and fibre (always forgotten about), make an ingredient list, buy a cookbook, educate yourself on various diets or methods of eating. Similarly, if you have a goal to get into fitness, don’t just join a gym and call it a day. Research workout routines, schedule when you are actually going to be able to go, figure out your smaller goal (is it weight loss, feeling healthier, getting stronger?) and go from there.
'the 1st of January is just a day, like any other of the year, and it is throughout the year that you are aiming to make a change.'
2. Don’t make an impossible goal that you will then feel badly about not immediately achieving
Whilst some challenging goals can be achieved in a few weeks or months, some of your goals may take the whole year or even a few years if it is a big life change. Don’t put pressure and timing constraints on your success if the goal feels ‘impossible’ because then slow progress can feel like failure. Tell yourself I want to achieve this over the next few years and this is the year that I finally start.
3. Get a planner (tedious I know, but they work)
I religiously use my little pink planner for university work, gym sessions and social plans. If you are making multiple resolutions or embarking on one long-winded project this is perfect, as you can easily forget and neglect what you set out to achieve when life gets in the way. Each day or each week write how you are planning to work on your goal (remember break it down in significant detail) and try your best to stick to it. But again don’t feel badly if you miss a day or have a busy week – just continue with a new plan when you can as progress is rarely linear.
4. Stagger their implementation
If on the 1st of January you tell yourself you’re going to do dry Jan, stop smoking, loose 10kg, become more social, improve your grades and drink 1L of water a day (my failed goal every year), this is never going to be achievable, and January 1st also then becomes very depressing. Start a different goal every week or fortnight and that way the beginning of the new year is not as terrifying of a concept, and this will also significantly help you to keep them by allowing separate and focused time to settle into each goal. Remember the 1st of January is just a day, like any other of the year, and it is throughout the year that you are aiming to make a change.
5. Don’t forget to plan some fun things in there!
Our resolutions are often not very exciting, so counterbalance these with some new and fun things you want to do this year, e.g. plan a fun holiday, rediscover hobbies, learn a new skill. Don’t just look at changing things about yourself that will feel like a drag, but begin new journeys that you will look forward to. By tying together the fun and the core resolutions you will feel a lot more motivated to keep your goals.
Anonymous
Overall, you are not ‘reinventing’ yourself but simply making a few changes to improve your quality of life and to strive to grow as a person. Many of us at university are going into what I like to call ‘real adulthood’ (your 20s) - I truly did not class my 18-year-old self as an adult or feel like one in any way other than the fact I could now get into pubs. This stage of your life if meant to be fun and exciting, but it also provides a lot of opportunity for growth in the independence you gain. So use it and Happy New Year everyone!
Featured image: Unsplash / Roven Images
What are some of your New Year’s resolutions?
