This stretch between Christmas and New Year’s feels strange, right?
The calendar says fresh start.
But your body might feel tired. A little stiff. Off rhythm.
Your mind might already be jumping ahead to what you should be doing — even though you don’t quite have the bandwidth yet.
If goal-setting feels heavy right now, I don’t think you’re alone..
This isn’t a motivation problem.
It’s a capacity problem.
And it’s incredibly common — when you’re holding a lot: family, work, schedules, emotions…
Before you decide what you want to change this year, it’s worth slowing down long enough to ask a different question:
What would actually support me right now?
Why I Have Mixed Feelings About New Year Goals
I’ll be honest — I have mixed feelings about New Year’s goals.
Not because goals are bad.
But because this is often the time when women ask too much of themselves, too quickly.
I’ve done this myself.
When I push into a “fresh start” mindset before my body is ready, I notice it right away — shallow breathing, more tension, that rushed feeling that tells me I’m forcing instead of supporting.
I care deeply about my health, and even I’ve fallen into that pattern.
The problem isn’t us.
The problem is treating January like a reset button instead of a continuation.
Your body didn’t stop being human just because the year changed.
Why This Time of Year Calls for a Different Approach
Most of us aren’t training for something extreme.
We’re moving because we want to:
- feel strong enough to get through our day without pain
- think clearly instead of living in brain fog
- stay steady on our feet and confident in our bodies
- keep our independence as we age
When the pressure to “start fresh” takes over, it can quietly disconnect us from what we actually need.
Because when the plan is too big, too rigid, or too ideal…
And we can’t do it perfectly…
We often do nothing at all.
That’s the all-or-nothing trap.
And it shows up most when your nervous system is already stretched — juggling family schedules, meals, emotions, responsibilities — with very little space left for yourself.
What Actually Helps (Especially Right Now)
Here’s what your body and brain respond to best during busy, transitional seasons:
Small, consistent support.
Not intensity.
Not perfection.
Not long, exhausting plans.
Short practices — 5, 10, 15 minutes — done regularly, send a very different message to your system:
“I’m paying attention.”
“I’m listening.”
“I’m here.”
Those small moments:
- calm your nervous system instead of overwhelming it
- are easier to return to when life gets busy
- build trust instead of pressure
- create momentum without burnout
You don’t need to do more.
You need to do what fits now.
A Different Way to Think About Goals
Instead of asking:
“What should I do this year?”
Try asking:
- “What would help me feel a little steadier right now?”
- “What feels supportive instead of draining?”
- “What can I realistically return to, even on hard days?”
This might look like:
- a short daily movement practice
- a few intentional breaths when stress spikes
- choosing consistency over duration
- letting your focus be support, not improvement
This isn’t lowering the bar.
It’s choosing a bar that respects your life.
Your Mindset Matters — and So Does Compassion
If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking:
- “I always fall off.”
- “Life will get in the way again.”
- “I should be doing more.”
Pause for a moment.
Those thoughts aren’t failures — they’re information.
They tell us when we’ve been pushing instead of supporting.
Progress doesn’t come from forcing yourself into a new mindset.
It comes from responding differently when things feel off.
Less self-criticism.
More flexibility.
More kindness.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
One of the biggest reasons goals fade isn’t lack of discipline — it’s isolation.
When you’re supported and reminded:
- pauses don’t turn into quitting
- setbacks don’t feel like failure
- progress stays possible
Whether that support comes from a friend, a guide, or a community — it matters.
You were never meant to hold this by yourself.
A Gentle Reminder Before the Year Turns
You don’t need a perfect plan right now.
You don’t need to know exactly what January will look like.
You just need one small way to support yourself — today, or this week.
Start where you are.
Listen to what your body is asking for.
Respond with something kind and doable.
That’s not falling behind.
That’s building something that actually lasts.
Where will you start? Email me at sabrina@unearthyourbalance.com. I would love to hear it!
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