​A Different Approach to New Year’s Resolutions: Embrace Growth, Not Pressure

Author: Izzy Michels, Taproot Therapy Clinical Trainee

As the calendar flips to a new year, many of us feel an invisible weight: the pressure to set new,
New Year’s resolutions. It’s a well-worn tradition—pick a goal, commit to it, and stick with it no
matter what. But what if this cycle of rigid, sometimes overwhelming resolutions isn't the most
nurturing way to approach personal growth?

Instead of diving into 2025 with the usual list of concrete goals that you feel you have to achieve,
let’s take a more therapeutic, emotion-centered approach. Rather than focusing only on what you
must add to your life or change about yourself, consider what you can release or carry forward
with intention. This year, let’s make resolutions that acknowledge the complexity of emotions
and honor your feelings as valid. Let’s make room for growth while also embracing the realities
of who you are today.


1. One Thing You Want to Leave Behind in 2024

The end of the year is a natural time to reflect, and one key part of growth is knowing what you
need to let go of. This could be a habit, a thought pattern, a toxic relationship, or even unrealistic
expectations you’ve been carrying. Whether it’s the weight of self-criticism, a fear that’s been
holding you back, or the pressure to be “perfect,” now is the time to ask yourself: What no longer
serves me?
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Leaving something behind isn’t about failure; it’s about making room for something better. It’s a
therapeutic practice to release what weighs you down emotionally. It could be as simple as
letting go of guilt or resentment—something that might have been weighing you down for a long
time. These emotional releases are just as important as any tangible change and can lead to true
growth.


2. One Thing You Want to Carry with You from 2024

While it's important to let go of what no longer serves you, it’s equally important to recognize
what has been helping you heal, grow, or thrive in the past year. Maybe you’ve been nurturing a
new sense of self-compassion, learning to set healthier boundaries, or finding peace through
mindfulness. These positive practices or shifts deserve to be carried forward into the new year.
Think of it as a type of emotional baggage that’s worth holding on to—something that helps you
feel grounded and centered. When we enter a new year, we sometimes feel like we need to start
fresh with an entirely clean slate, but the truth is, the things that have supported us emotionally in
2024 are part of our growth journey. Let them accompany you into 2025.


3. One New Thing to Introduce in 2025

Finally, think about something new you want to bring into the year—something you haven’t
explored yet or something that might help you move forward emotionally. This isn’t about
setting a lofty goal or transforming your entire life overnight. It’s about introducing a small,
manageable shift that aligns with your emotional needs.

Maybe it’s carving out more time for rest, starting therapy, picking up a creative hobby, or
simply practicing gratitude each day. The key here is emotional sustainability—introducing
something that feels manageable and supportive, not something that will add pressure or
overwhelm. This new practice or intention should be something that enhances your sense of
well-being and aligns with your personal growth, not something that demands perfection.


Embrace the Journey

This approach to New Year’s resolutions isn’t about achieving everything on your list or
measuring success by tangible outcomes. It’s about creating space for emotional growth,
acknowledging your needs, and being kind to yourself as you navigate the year ahead. It’s a
therapeutic approach to personal development that aligns with who you are, rather than forcing
you to fit into a prescribed mold.

So, as you enter 2025, take a deep breath and consider:

• What do you want to leave behind in 2024?
• What do you want to carry forward?
• What new thing feels nourishing and empowering to introduce?

Let these intentions guide you, not as burdens or mandates, but as gentle and supportive ways to
honor your emotions and grow with purpose. The new year is a time to embrace the possibilities
ahead, but also a time to honor where you’ve been—and how far you’ve already come.