Every January, the same thing happens.
People feel hopeful. Motivated. Ready for change.
Gyms fill up, planners get opened, and words like “this is the year” start floating around.
And honestly? I love that energy.
There’s nothing wrong with New Year’s resolutions. In fact, there’s something very human about using a clean calendar page as a reason to reflect, reset, and want more for yourself.
But here’s the part we don’t talk about enough: that desire for growth doesn’t only exist in January.
And it doesn’t need to.
As a nutrition coach, one of the things I see over and over again is this quiet restlessness people feel when they’re stuck. Or this desire to want to change their body, or change their level of fitness.
That’s not a character flaw. That’s biology.
Our brains are designed to seek growth, mastery, and forward movement. Psychologically, progress fuels motivation, not the other way around. When we work toward something meaningful—especially when we can see or feel progress—our brains reward us with dopamine. Not the cheap, quick-hit kind we get from social media or sugar, but the kind that comes from effort, consistency, and momentum.
This is why setting goals feels good. And it’s also why not setting them can feel so draining.
The problem isn’t that people “fail” at resolutions, but rather that we’ve been taught to only check in with ourselves once a year.
One of the biggest mindset shifts I help clients make is redefining what “long-term” actually means.
For most people, a year feels too big. Too abstract. Too far away.
That’s why I prefer six-month goals.
Six months is long enough to create real change—physically, mentally, and behaviorally—but short enough to stay relevant. It allows you to zoom out without losing urgency.
Then we pair that with short-term goals:
Short-term goals keep you moving. Long-term goals keep you aligned.
You need both.
It happens to be a helpful time for goal setting because:
That’s it. There’s nothing inherently special about January itself.
So, the good news is you can recreate that same momentum anytime.
Imagine treating June the same way you treat January. A six-month reset. A check-in. A recommitment.
What worked?
What didn’t?
What do you want to carry forward—and what are you ready to let go of?
When goal-setting becomes a regular rhythm instead of a once-a-year event, it stops feeling overwhelming and starts feeling empowering,
Here’s the part most people underestimate: Motivation gets you started. Accountability helps you continue.
Not because you’re lazy or unmotivated—but because life is full. Stress happens. Travel happens. Old habits resurface.
Having someone outside of your own head to help you:
That support isn’t about perfection. It’s about staying connected to the version of yourself you said you wanted to work toward.
I can’t tell you how many new or potential clients tell me “Well, I KNOW what to do.” And honestly I just want to shake them sometimes (in my not so finer moments). Of course you know what to do! You have the internet! But are you doing it?
That’s where accountability makes the difference.
If January feels exciting, lean into it. That’s okay.
But don’t wait for permission from a calendar to want better energy, better habits, or a better relationship with food and movement.
You don’t get any closer to your goals by doing nothing. But you do get closer by taking small, intentional steps—again and again.
And the best time to start?
Whenever you decide that staying the same is no longer enough.
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