Revisiting New Year’s Resolutions: How to Stay Motivated and Restructure Your Goals

I have a confession. By the time February rolls around, my New Year’s resolutions usually look like a neglected plant—still alive, but definitely struggling. Maybe you’re in the same boat. January starts with so much energy and determination, but then life happens. Work piles up, apps get banned, 3 years happens in two weeks, routines feel a little stale, and suddenly, those grand plans we made feel like distant dreams. But here’s what I’ve learned: falling off doesn’t mean giving up. It just means it’s time to recalibrate.

This isn’t about guilt-tripping ourselves into being productive. It’s about revisiting our goals with intention, finding what still excites us, and reshaping the path forward. Resolutions don’t have an expiration date—we’re allowed to adjust, restart, and even toss a few out if they no longer serve us. For example, I once set a resolution to work out five days a week, and by February, I had barely managed two days total. Instead of giving up, I shifted the goal to something more realistic: moving my body for 10 minutes a day, whether that meant stretching, walking, or dancing in my kitchen. It wasn’t what I originally envisioned, but it worked. Adjusting didn’t mean I failed; it meant I found a way to make it sustainable for my life. Let’s dive into how we can breathe new life into those resolutions and keep moving toward the year we want.

**Take 10 seconds with me and do a little shoulder shimmy and dance it our like Meredith and Christina to get those trusty juices flowing (i know i could have come up with something better than "trusty juices," but it is 11:00pm and I am writing this from my beed.. bear with me)

**Queue This year by Emily King**

https://open.spotify.com/track/0ISfH0HKPrQd3mWmzk76Ij?si=F_Nf0SaERGOu4Zkwh_Cfmg

  Reflect: What Still Feels Right?  

The first step is to pause and reflect. What resolutions did you set at the start of the year? Which ones still feel exciting, and which ones did you start and haven't done since the 4th of January? Sometimes, in the rush of January, we’re so focused on being productive that we set goals and go ALL IN way too quickly that it is a little overwhelming because we are looking at how far we have to go.. or it just isn't aligned with our current selves..

For me, journaling is a huge help here. I’ll sit down with a notebook and write out my goals again, then ask myself: Why did I want this? Does it still matter? What’s one small step I can take to keep it alive? If a goal doesn’t spark anything in me anymore, I let it go. There’s no shame in that—it’s about freeing up energy for what truly matters. Sometimes, I even set tiered goals.. "if I do this" then "I'll add this on" type of goal-setting. 

  Break It Down—Seriously  

Big goals can feel overwhelming, especially when the initial excitement wears off. You know that feeling when you look at a goal like write a book or get in shape and suddenly you’re spiraling into how much there is to do? Yeah, same.

The trick is breaking it down—like, ridiculously small. Instead of “write a book,” I focus on write out the chapter titles" or " “write for 20 minutes today.” Instead of “get in shape,” I think about "once I can dance in place to my favorite sone with no breaks, I can then walk to my fav shop" or “take a 10-minute walk after lunch.” Small steps build momentum, and momentum builds confidence. Plus, tiny wins are still wins—and we deserve to celebrate them.

  Lean Into Your Why  

Why did you set your resolutions in the first place? When the motivation fades, reconnecting with your “why” can reignite your drive. For me, a big part of my “why” is visualizing what success will feel like. Not just how it looks on paper, but how it feels in my life.

I’ll be honest, sometimes the “why” also involves sheer practicality. Like, I don’t want to be the person who’s constantly losing track of things. My why for Cinerih’s tools, like the Bingo Poster and Calendar, is rooted in that same idea—building things that help you feel more in control, more intentional, and less like your goals are just floating out of reach.

  Structure Helps, But Be Flexible  

I’ve tried the super rigid planning thing. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t work for me. Life is too unpredictable, and honestly, my brain thrives on a little chaos. But structure—the kind that’s flexible and forgiving—can be a game-changer.

That’s why I love tools that leave room for creativity. Journaling, vision boards, and my beloved Bingo Poster are my go-tos. They’re not about locking myself into a strict plan but about giving myself a framework that inspires me. If something doesn’t go as planned, I pivot. Goals evolve, and so should how we approach them.

  Believe It’s Possible  

This might sound cheesy, but bear with me: the fact that you dreamed of a goal means you’re capable of achieving it. If you didn’t have it in you, the thought wouldn’t exist in the first place. That doesn’t mean it’ll be easy, but it does mean it’s worth pursuing.

When doubt creeps in, I remind myself of this. Dreams don’t have to feel easy or straightforward to be valid. The effort you put into them—even the imperfect, messy effort—is proof that you’re capable of turning them into reality.

  Revisit Journaling as a Tool  

Journaling has been my lifeline for revisiting resolutions. It’s where I unpack my thoughts, reflect on my progress, and realign with my goals. Some days, I’ll write a to-do list. Other days, I’ll free-write about what I’m excited for or what’s been holding me back. The key is consistency, not perfection. Journaling doesn’t have to look a certain way—it just has to work for you. The Unplug Planner has the perfect goal setting and goal check-in sections, but here are a few prompts below!

If you’re not sure where to start, try these prompts:

• What’s one goal I’m excited about right now, and why?

• What’s one thing I can do this week to move closer to my goal?

• What’s been holding me back, and how can I address it?

  

The goals you set at the start of the year? They’re still waiting for you, and it’s never too late to take that next step. So grab a journal, revisit your “why,” and let’s keep going—one small, intentional action at a time. You can do it you little cutie!