Why Are New Year’s Resolutions So Hard to Keep?
Every January, we set out with determination, vowing to make life better. Whether it’s eating healthier, changing habits, saving more money, or breaking bad patterns—we all want to start the year off right.
As Oprah Winfrey said:
“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.”
But is that outcome truly possible?
Intentions vs. Reality
By the time February hits, most resolutions have faded into memory. Life gets busy. Stress piles on. That strong start is slowly replaced with old routines and new distractions.
So the question is—can we truly change, or is it just wishful thinking?
Here’s an inspiring reminder from Alfred Lord Tennyson:
“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering ‘it will be happier.’”
Hope alone isn’t enough—but hope combined with action can work wonders.
What Really Holds Us Back?
The biggest barrier? Fear.
We cling to the familiar, even if it no longer serves us. Our brains are wired to resist change. Doing things a new way takes effort and often brings discomfort.
But the truth is—growth demands risk. Staying in your comfort zone only guarantees more of the same.
Change Happens When You’re Ready
When you reach a point where you’re truly ready to act—change becomes possible. Just think:
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The way you think today is different from how you thought 5 or 10 years ago.
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Every experience, lesson, and piece of knowledge shapes you.
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You’re evolving daily, whether you realize it or not.
The secret to keeping your resolution?
Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for small, intentional progress.
Change Is a Process, Not a Moment
Saying “change is impossible” just isn’t true. What trips most people up is expecting overnight transformation.
Lasting change takes:
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Commitment
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Consistency
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Self-compassion
Let go of the anxiety. Don’t be discouraged by setbacks. Remember: every step forward counts—even the small ones.
What Will You Transform This Year?
Your journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Maybe it’s about healing. Maybe it’s about building. Maybe it’s about slowing down.
Whatever it is—own it.
🌟 What big change do YOU want to make in 2025?
Share it in the comments below. Let’s grow together.
We are constantly changing. Every thought we have, everything we see, hear, feel or do in some degree changes us. It might be a very very small change, but it is a change. I am different now than I was when I started this paragraph. But bigger changes often take a commitment. I am not a big New Year’s resolution person, but I am a believer in making positive changes. Like all people, I have found both success and failure in making change. I wish I knew the secret trigger in my makeup that helped me succeed vs. the times I have failed, but it isn’t a simple formula. Fear certainly plays a part…especially when deciding what to change and how to go about it, but it is not the only factor. I believe that we have sub-conscience triggers buried within us. Finding those triggers is the key.
Josh
There are some people who never change. They stuck in the same rut afraid to explore. New Year resolution no one every keep. It’s a mindset tradition that most people never follow the right way. If we embrace changes slowly and not let our fears get in the way, we will grow.
Great post to start the new year. I think it’s important to take baby steps towards our goals so we aren’t so overwhelmed by so much change at one time.
Glad the post could help you Tandy Elisala. Thanks for your comment! Setting goals and following slowly work for me.
Great article, Patrice! I’ve decided not to make unrealistic “resolutions” for the new year, but when I’m ready to change a habit that I’m not happy with, I’ll do it on my own terms. Like you said, change can be scary, but in the end, it will be all worth it once you see the positive results.
Aletha McManama slowely my way. Thanks for your comment!
Yes, it is hard to make a change unless your mind is made up, and you are focus then changes will become accessible. Let us be committed to what we believe in that another easy way to make changes.
Eleanor, Most people are afraid of change. Thanks for your comment.
My whole life has been built on change. As a foster child it seemed that I almost never got unpacked and it was off to another foster home…while that is not exactly how it happened, it was a constant life of change, schools, friends and family. As a chef I was always training new young cooks as they worked towards their goals. Peoples eating habits change. What was popular a couple of years ago is not longer popular today. What was thought to be healthy is no longer in the lime lite. Now I am retired…guess what, This month we have listed our home in Wisconsin for sale and are moving to our home in Mexico… I speak “stumble along” Spanish and will be 75 years old in another month…..Change happens, Goal setting makes it happen a little easier. Great article thanks for sharing.
Chef William Chaney, Change and embracing change is not an easy task. You are a leader in your field moving forward to new beginning retirement. Time to embrace the culture and continues to provide healthy lifestyle with food to your new audience in Mexico. Thank you for your support.
I think it’s all about baby steps. You can’t just jump right in with some things, you know?
Why do people think they need to make these resolutions that are sometimes not practical is beyond me?
Marlene Car, Perhaps it is a “Habit” thanks for your support!
Hi Patrice, I like the ideas of resolutions and plans. For me, I constantly have goals and things I want to achieve and that’s my approach to life and every new year, work hard towards every goal 🙂
Happy New Year!
NORAH, Wonderful resolutions plan you have… Working hard it a great choice. Happy New Year to you!
This is spot on. New Year’s resolutions are about doing things that we don’t like to do that is why I never make them.
I use the new year for a fresh start. I clean out my pantry and made it all nice.
Change can be difficult to embrace but sometimes the changes you fear are the ones that help you find the real you.
It is so true that fear plays such a big role in our life and how we view change. I try to do something every month that makes me scared and uncomfortable but that I know will be good in the long run.
This is a great practice try something new that makes me scared. Wonderful idea!
I bookmarked this article to reread it when I start to slip on my resolutions. I read once that a definition of a New Years Resolution was a list you make for the month of January. I’ve got a huge list this year. Fingers crosses I can do better than last year.
I Love Creating Huge Resolutions and 10x the actions to realize them. People have a fear of the unknown and change…yet change is the One Constant thing in Life…We are born helpless, little we change and grow into adults without doing a thing about it..we wake up daily a little older a little different..Yet we have an unnatural fear for taking on new or things we need to for a better life. I embrace Change I embrace New years Resolutions. They aren’t hard for me to keep coz I create them from a place of Accomplishment and gratitude. For a new opportunity to create something new in my life!
It takes about 21 days for something to become a habit. Sticking to it is hard, but if you can get past the first 21 days it will be easier!
I hate change !!! Probably more than normal ! But I do stick to my goals pretty well.
Laci, Change is good sometime…I understand your discomfort!
I definitely want to continue to learn and grow this year. I hope that can help me make some bigger changes!
Yeah its hard to keep New Year Resolution, honestly, I don’t make my own New Year Resolution since I already set my smart goals.
Having goals everyday is my mantra! I enjoyed your take on new year resolutions Patrice, thank you for sharing it.
Change only starts when change occurs, right? Love this – very motivating! Thank you!
I think I made improved of being organized, I always completed my task on time.
I love that tweet. that is so and utterly true!
Great post, I’m so glad that I had improvement but not big changes. In that way, it makes me motivate and determine.
start small and take actions 🙂 Hope I can achieve my goals. Happy new year to you and your family
This post makes perfect sense. Of course, we don’t follow through because we don’t really love the idea of doing them and then there’s fear as well. We’re always careful and afraid to take risks. That’s a huge hindrance for change.
Elizabeth O, I Know from personal experience resolution was forgotten before January ended…Not realistic to me.
New years resolutions are tricky because people think they need to be grand and meaningful which leads them to pick things that they either can’t do or aren’t willing to make the change to do. i like to think of resolutions as wishes
Hey Patrice,
Its familiar to divulge from the ‘strong’ resolutions made at the beginning of the year. Yes, fear often keeps us from achieving what we ought to do. However, to keep my resolutions for 2016, I have made a vow to be highly disciplined with commitment and dedication.
Sunday William, We can’t let our fears hold us back…Just have to take that risk. Being disciplined is having the right attitude. Thank you
New Year was a New beginning for me. My new year resolution was all about the family.
victoria, Great choice Family…New Year New Beginnings!
If we talk about resolution,we somehow touch habits. One of the reasons why they failed with their new year’s resolution it’s because they haven’t change their habits
I don’t make resolutions. I visualise and set my intentions for the year and then allow The Universe to unfold. Have a great 2016!
Claudette, This is a good idea set intentions if work for you fine. New Year resolution is hard to keep and I guess thats why many like myself don’t bother with making any.
We never set resolutions as a family. We set meaningful and manageable goals we know we can reach. We find this works better for our family.
Thanks for Sharing.
I’m not usually afraid of change. I do find myself being much more cautious though, as I get older. 😉 I don’t make resolutions usually, but do appreciate that the new year is a good reason to get moving on things you’ve wanted to do. 🙂
Yes my problem is being consistent with my actions. I am trying to be more self discipline.
I couldn’t agree more that fear holds back. I want to take big steps with my blog this year and be fearless in it. We also are looking into IVF and adoption and fear most definitely rears its ugly head in that process.
I think New Year’s Resolutions are dumb. I don’t do them. I have goals, but I always have goals. I’m always on to master the next thing I want to learn about.
Stephanie, Having a plan with a goals is a great idea!
I find it hard to keep with my new year’s resolutions but what motivates me is the reward of accomplishing something you put your heart into.
This is so true Patrice! The biggest thing holding me back from accomplishing things is fear, but I’ve been working hard to overcome that and embrace change! Happy New Year!
I understand, Glad you are working on your fears. Its can hold us back if we could look back at our life what we will see is we had along to rejoice about. Keep writing …
Best wishes to you in 2016! I think I’ve often not followed through with my new years resolutions. I have set a bunch of personal and blog goals this year instead.
I generally don’t aim for great transformations. It’s not out of fear, but out of a knowledge that I grow best when it is incremental and something my mind can believe and accept. With that said, though, I feel 2016 is going to be a year of growth and expansion. I am working at building my online presence and finishing some books that I’ve been writing.
Thanks so much for linking up at The Blogger’s Pit Stop!
– Marie, Blogger’s Pit Stop crew
Just Plain Marie, Marie together we will do it 2016…Thanks for stopping by from the Blogger’s Pit Stop crew…Awesome group!
Great post and so right that this would work so much better than a resolution made on the spot
This is why I’ve started making little monthly goals, rather than huge yearly ones – less daunting and I’m usually more successful!
I think that the problem with New Year’s resolutions is that they are frequently wishes for what we’d like to become in the new year. I prefer to create specific goals, then follow up and keep track of them through the year.
Thanks for sharing on the Blogger’s Pit Stop.
Debbie, You are so right…Goals seem more achievable to me. I used to have a list of New Year Resolution that never came true leaving me more frustrated. Thanks for your support.
I think my saving grace is that l do not make resolutions in the new year. I’m not sure why people leave things till then rather than making changes as soon as it is needed. We all know most people fail at it. It’s become almost a “thing” 🙂
Kemkem, I use to make Resolution but has since stop five years ago ….I realize I was more disappointed. Taking challenges as it come is my new mottos. Thank you for your support.
I’m done with New Year’s resolutions and more into building on what I accomplished in the previous year. For me, this way of thinking is so much more effective.
LiveLifeWell,
Allison
I agree that fear can be paralyzing. I rarely make NY resolutions anymore. Instead, I just set certain goals for myself and week-by-week, I outline the steps to achieve those goals until I’ve reached them.
Dana Carmel, Goals are more achievable to me too…Like your idea will pass on to my friends.Thank You.
I try to set goals for myself rather than make resolutions. I find that I often fail my resolutions, which just makes me feel bad. Thanks for this great post!
Shannon Gurney, I understand make resolution every year was very disappointed for me too. Goals & intention seem to be a better alternative for most people.
I definitely think its possible but instead of one major change I think it takes lots on small changes leading up to the big finale.
Persistence is the key! I plan to transform my business and take it to a higher level this year!
I’ve learned that change is good, and I’ve definitely been embracing it! It can be hard to keep up resolutions, but if you make a conscious effort to make a change in your life, then you should be able to achieve your goals. I agree with you that fear can hold people back from changing.
Kati, Change is never easy for anyone but if we embrace the change our fears will be decrease but we should not waited until New Years day resolution because this is hard to keep.
This 2016, will not be a year of fear! Thanks for your insights, totally inspiring 🙂