As the new year arrives and people slowly begin pulling away from the holiday spirit, it’s that time when we consider what’s next, how we want this year to go, what we need to do better, and what we should definitely not repeat.
It’s a cycle of questioning, repurposing, and reorganizing ourselves. I’ve always liked to start my year with some goals to guide me through the months, as well as a vision board—believe me, that helps, too. However, as the months pass by, we often forget about these ideals and fall back to our usual selves, going from an illusion of change to stagnant repetition. But what if I told you that you can actually do something for yourself and keep on with it throughout the seasons?
To begin with, we’re experts on being too hard on ourselves. Challenges make us grow and become stronger, but often those structured expectations end up being set aside. What might work better for you this year is setting small day-by-day goals.
One piece of advice I’ve appreciated about improving your habits is that big goals can be broken down into smaller ones, things that you can work on daily. For instance, if you want to be more active and start going to the gym, then don’t set your goal to be constant and perfect athletic performance; instead, give yourself a chance to start going to the gym today, and see how you feel. To push yourself into a motivated mindset that takes you there, have small reminders around your home, like leaving your gym shoes near the door, or simply take them with you. After class, you could use the active spaces available on campus, or just go for a walk. Doing something, even if you consider it small, matters. Habits don’t build up suddenly; instead, they flourish from the detailed step-by-step on the way.
Once you create that chain of small actions toward your big goals, ask yourself, “What else do I want on the way there?” and “Is there something else I can gain in the process?” Often when we are moving toward our greatest dreams, we forget to have fun. For example, if your goal is to graduate your program and land your ideal job, consider what else you can enjoy along the way. You could find hidden gems in the process, moments that make the journey more precious and enjoyable.
If some of these goals are money driven, like travelling, shift your perspective and see what you can do now. Envisioning goals for the long term is exciting, but it can make us anxious and forget to be present. Think about what small things you can do now that make you happy and bring you a bit of the calm you’re longing for. If you want to go to a sunny paradise getaway, then try to see how can you have some aspects of it today. Have your favourite refreshing lemonade; go for a swim; listen to funky tropical music; even in the midst of winter, wear something colourful. Again, doing small things can help us keep a healthy “I can do it; I can get there” headspace.
At the end of the day, new year’s resolutions don’t work because they are big; they work when they are truly yours, when they fit your schedule, energy, budget, and reality. As students, we find ourselves in between many roles in our lives, but it all comes to choosing small things today that will make you lighter, healthier, calmer, and grounded. Instead of asking, “Who should I be this year?” try asking, “What is one small thing I can do today that my future self will thank me for?” That’s where real change happens. Not on January 1, but right now.