2026, the year of presence and awareness
What if the problem isn’t your resolutions, but the way we’ve been taught to make them? Research consistently shows that most New Year’s resolutions don’t last, and there’s a psychological reason why: Most resolutions are built on self-criticism and external pressure rather than genuine self-introspection and understanding. Many people set goals from a place of ‘ I’m not good enough’, which activates their threat response and makes sustainable change nearly impossible. We’re essentially trying to force ourselves into transformation through criticism - and this approach is far less effective than one rooted in self-compassion and values. This year, I’m trying something different. Instead of focusing on what to do to ‘improve myself’, I’m pausing more Noticing more And observing who I’ve become - without judgment. In Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) , we call this decentering: Stepping back from our thoughts and experiences, seeing them as ...