Will 2026 be the year you’ll “lose weight”, “change career” or “move house”?
Beware – these are not actionable plans, they’re pressure statements, warns Dr Claire Kaye, a former GP and confidence coach.
Resolutions often fail because they are unclear, unrealistic and too broad, she says.
She advises writing down what’s working in your life, what’s draining you or no longer fits, and where are you running on autopilot.
“When you understand what you want more of, not just what you want to escape, change becomes far more sustainable,” she says.
Write down your goals focusing on “direction and experience rather than a fixed point”.
She suggests “Lose weight” can be reframed as: “I want to feel more energised and comfortable in my body, and understand what helps me feel that way.”
Instead of “change career”, it could be: “I want to explore what work gives me energy and meaning, and identify one small step towards more of that.”