Words by Liliana Gaggiano // photo by girl with red hat
Every December, as the New Year comes around, my social media becomes filled with ambitious promises: “run a marathon,” or “read 50 books by the end of the year”, and for a moment, I’ll admit the ideas are exhilarating. But going into 2026 I’m rethinking New Year’s resolutions and adopting a more flexible approach, one that feels less intimidating and far more realistic for the year ahead.
Big resolutions can often result in stress and when life inevitably gets in the way, feelings of inadequacy often follows. Looking back at my past resolutions, I noticed a pattern; by February my enthusiasm fades, my routines falter, and guilt sets in. What I’m realising is that change can occur in smaller steps instead of grand declarations that feel impossible to maintain.
So, my New Year’s resolution for 2026 is: take manageable steps that can help me be more active, small wins that add up over time. It’s not about reaching the finish line immediately; it’s about creating habits that gradually shape the balanced lifestyle I’m after.
Implementing tiny goals can make progress tangible. Start with something like “I’ll walk around my block 3 times a week” and suddenly the goal feels achievable instead of overwhelming. Completing this goal might inspire you to then walk around 2 blocks, or increase it to 5 times a week. Each small victory creates a sense of accomplishment and motivates you to keep going. The focus becomes about progress, making the journey as rewarding as the destination. Over time these tiny goals build momentum and your New Year’s Resolution feels natural instead of impossible.
This approach also encourages self-compassion, supporting you instead of guilting you when the New Year throws university exams, after-school sports, and unexpected challenges your way. Life can be unpredictable, so breaking down ambitious promises into small, manageable steps gives you permission to adjust along the way. Tiny victories, like doing warm-up stretches in the morning instead of going for a walk, can be celebrated instead of being a source of guilt. These act as small wins that quietly reinforce positive habits, creating a sense of satisfaction even on the busiest days – and it’s this mindset that transforms resolutions from a source of pressure into a tool for growth and reflection.
By taking small, intentional steps you not only help achieve your grand declaration, you also shift your mindset entirely. When you focus on what you can realistically accomplish, stress levels reduce and guilt shifts to confidence and motivation. This approach reframes setbacks to be part of the journey rather than signs of failure; reminding us that flexibility is just as important as consistency, and that progress, no matter how small, is still progress.
As I look ahead to 2026 and think about balancing university and work, I’m already overwhelmed with whether I’ll have time to achieve my New Years Resolution, but I’m choosing to shift my mindset for 2026; celebrating progress and being flexible rather than dwelling on perfection. I’m choosing to see January 1st not as a deadline, but as an invitation to experiment and adjust along the way.
By rethinking resolutions in this way, I can give myself permission to stumble, to pause, and to celebrate what I achieve instead of focusing solely on what I haven’t. This 2026, I’m committed to tiny goals and celebrating the small victories that will make the year feel productive, balanced, and truly rewarding.
