For the month of January, I’ll be publishing one article each week focused on New Year’s resolutions. Today’s post is about how to build a sustainable resolution—one you’re actually likely to follow for months, not just a few weeks.
Measurable Goals
One of the biggest keys to a sustainable resolution is making it measurable. When a goal is quantifiable, it’s easier to track progress and easier to know whether you’re actually following through.
For example:
Instead of: “I want to drink more water.”
Try: “I want to consistently drink 64 ounces of water each day.”
Instead of: “I want to garden more.”
Try: “This year, I want to grow peppers and tomatoes in my garden in addition to my usual flowers.”
Clear goals give you something concrete to work toward, rather than a vague idea that’s easy to abandon.
Reflect on What You Actually Want
Before committing to a resolution, it’s worth asking yourself what will genuinely bring you satisfaction this year. We’re constantly surrounded by messaging about what we *should* be doing to be healthy or productive—drink lemon water every morning, wake up at 5 a.m., journal daily, overhaul your entire lifestyle. If that truly sounds appealing to you, great. But if it doesn’t, forcing yourself into someone else’s version of “healthy” is rarely sustainable.
Personally, I’ve learned that some habits just aren’t for me. I enjoy writing, but journaling? I’ve tried more than once, and it’s still not something I enjoy. And that’s okay. Resolutions are much easier to stick with when they’re built around what you actually want to do, not what you feel pressured to do.
For general guidance on why specific, realistic goals tend to be more successful, the American Psychological Association’s overview of effective goal setting explains how measurable and personally meaningful goals support long-term follow-through.
Happy New Year, everyone. I hope you enjoyed this first post of Resolution January, and I’m looking forward to continuing the series throughout the month.
Written by Brigid Stakelum
