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It’s almost the end of 2025, which means it’s time for me to take stock of the last 12 months (and think about what I’m looking forward to for the next 12) and list out my New Year’s resolutions. For years, my usual resolution-setting ritual was to grab a notebook and write a long list of all the things I wanted to change. I’d start the list feeling incredibly inspired, but by the end of it, I’d already feel overwhelmed. And then, inevitably, every January, the same thing happened: Life got busy, and I’d abandon my resolutions by mid-month. It became this familiar cycle where I’d get high hopes, then slip right back into old habits.
At some point, I realized why I kept failing at my resolutions. It wasn’t that I wasn’t properly motivated, it was that I kept trying to fix everything at once. So I decided to approach things differently and simplify things, all on New Year’s Eve. And for the first time, the things I hoped to achieve in the New Year actually stuck. Here’s what I did.
My 10-Minute New Year’s Eve Ritual
Instead of setting too many goals, not creating space for any of them, and giving up before I even got started, I decided to try to set one intention per year, tie it to a space in my home, and spend some time on New Year’s Eve setting that intention. It’s transformed the way I stick to my resolutions.
For example, if my resolution was to spend more time cooking, I’d choose one kitchen cabinet, like the one with my pots and pans, and declutter it. I’d clear out old pots and pans I never use, replace them with new ones, and organize them so that my space supports my resolution and makes it easier to follow through with. If I want to read more, (which I do!) I’ll clear off a bookshelf in my living room to make space for new books and declutter and give away the ones I already own.
The core of this ritual is simple: I pick one resolution, not 10. Even if I’m tempted to overhaul everything, I stick to a single focus. This small, measurable, and achievable commitment — supported by my accountability measure of setting up my space to succeed before the New Year has even begun — makes me feel lighter, clearer, and surprisingly motivated. Plus, 10 minutes often turns into more!
Why This Tiny Ritual Actually Works for Me
This ritual, for me, is the key to avoiding that heavy, overwhelmed feeling when I have too many goals. Ultimately:
How I’ll Carry This Practice into 2026
My personal resolution for 2026 is, admittedly, a big one. I want to go to the gym at least four times a week. My New Year’s Eve plan to reinforce that resolution, then, is straightforward: I’ll clear out a single kitchen drawer and fill it with the essentials I need for an easy pre-workout routine.
I’m keeping my morning vitamins there, along with a pre-workout supplement and my headphones, so they’re always in the same spot. It might sound basic, but having a dedicated space for the items that help me get up, get ready, and head to the gym makes a huge difference. Instead of stumbling through random cabinets or digging around the counter, everything is right where I need it in the early hours of the morning. This small setup (I hope) will remove a great deal of morning stress and support my goal without adding pressure — or an easy out.
