Checking In with Your 2025 Resolutions: It’s Not Too Late to Start (or Restart)

We’ve just turned the page to February 2025. It’s that curious time of year when the sparkle of New Year’s celebrations has faded and real life is back in full swing - busy schedules, unexpected roadblocks, and the usual daily demands. If you’ve found that all those ambitious January 1st resolutions have already started to slip out of reach, you’re not alone. Maybe you’ve fallen off your workout routine, abandoned the idea of changing jobs, or simply forgotten the vow to put away an extra 10% of your income each month. It’s easy to feel like a failure once the initial “New Year, New Me” momentum dwindles.

Here’s the good news: the start of a new year isn’t the only time to set goals, and the fact that your January intentions have lost steam doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. February offers a fresh opportunity to take stock, re-commit, pivot, or even adopt brand-new objectives. So, let’s explore ways to rekindle your motivation - or create a new spark altogether.

Let’s face it, January is a uniquely hopeful month, but it’s also filled with lofty expectations. The holiday glow still lingers, and everyone around you is talking about their grand plans for the upcoming year. It’s so easy to say, “Yes! I’m doing this!” But as soon as we re-enter the real world - working full-time, handling family obligations, tackling chores - the demands on our time and energy pile up.

Before we charge ahead, it’s worth taking an honest look at what happened over the past few weeks. Did you set a goal that was too ambitious to fit into your schedule? Did you try to form too many new habits at once? Were there unforeseen life events - an illness, a family emergency, or simple exhaustion from the holiday season - that knocked you off course?

Reflection gives you data. Use it to adjust your approach. Maybe you only missed your planned workout sessions on days you worked late. Or you realized you really don’t enjoy running and would prefer a yoga class. This is invaluable information that helps you tailor your goals to your life, rather than trying to force your life to revolve around your goals.

The powerful thing about goals is that they aren’t permanent contracts. You can modify them at any point. If your resolution was to work out every single day, but you’ve barely managed three times a week, that’s okay. Take a step back and reassess:

• Is the goal realistic? Maybe aiming for daily workouts is setting the bar too high. Could you dial it down to four or five times a week, allowing for rest and recovery?
• Is the goal truly motivating you? Or was it a trend everyone around you was trying? Sometimes we jump on resolutions because everyone else is doing it, not because they deeply resonate with us. If it’s not something you genuinely want, tweak or replace it with an ambition that does excite you.
• Is the timing right? Some goals fit better in different seasons of life. If you’re in the middle of a career shift, planning a wedding, or caring for a newborn, an intense fitness plan might not be the best fit right now. That doesn’t mean you can’t work on your health at all - it just means you might modify your approach (shorter workouts, at-home routines, more focus on nutrition, etc.).

Once you’ve decided on which goals to keep and which to modify, it’s time to reignite your motivation. Think of yourself as a sprinter hearing the starting pistol for the second time. Here are some detailed strategies:

An enormous goal like “I will lose 20 pounds” or “I’ll write a novel this year” can overwhelm you. Take that big aspiration and chop it into micro-goals. For weight loss, focus first on drinking more water every day. For writing a novel, set a timer for 15 minutes of writing a few times a week. Accomplishing small steps gives you quick wins that energize you to tackle the next ones.

Accountability buddies, virtual communities, or even an online group of like-minded people can be a massive help. Whether it’s a friend who meets you for a morning run, or a Facebook group of fellow entrepreneurs, sharing your wins and struggles keeps you engaged. Plus, support from others can remind you that you’re not the only one who stumbles along the way.

Acknowledging your progress can feel a little awkward at first, but it’s so important for motivation. Reward yourself with something meaningful (not always food or shopping sprees - sometimes the best reward is a relaxing bath or a guilt-free movie night) when you hit a milestone. Positive reinforcement helps turn small actions into lasting habits.

Sticky notes on your bathroom mirror, a vision board in your bedroom, or a simple bullet journal can keep your goals top of mind. Use these visual cues to remind yourself why you’re working on these ambitions. Seeing your dreams in a tangible form every day helps reinforce your commitment - even on days you feel sluggish or discouraged.

If you’ve completely dropped your original 2025 goals and they no longer resonate at all, let them go. Sometimes we make resolutions that fit who we were at a different moment in time, and growth can mean discovering new passions or priorities.

Remember, you don’t have to wait until next New Year’s Day to set new goals. You can choose March 1st, April 7th, or even your birthday - any day can be a “fresh start.” Pick something that aligns with your current desires and life circumstances. The beauty of life is that it’s constantly in flux, and our goals can change with it.

One of the main reasons resolutions can fail is that we view them as all-or-nothing. The minute we slip or miss a day, it’s easy to think: “Well, I’ve blown it. Might as well give up.” But true growth happens in the messy middle - when we stick with an imperfect plan, adjust, and keep going.

Setbacks are part of the journey. Instead of seeing them as proof you can’t succeed, see them as a sign you’re trying. If you oversleep and skip the gym, just jump back in tomorrow. If you fall off your meal plan on a stressful day, do your best to reset for the next meal.

Would you speak to a friend as harshly as you speak to yourself when you fail? Probably not. Cut yourself some slack. By being kind to yourself, you make room for learning and growth rather than shame and defeat.

Finally, let’s talk about the mental health aspect of setting, and “failing,” at goals. The temptation is to label ourselves as incapable, weak, or lacking discipline. This self-defeating mindset can quickly spill over into other areas of our lives, harming our confidence and emotional well-being.

But here’s the reality: goals are simply tools to help us live a healthier, more fulfilling life. They’re not yardsticks to measure our self-worth. If you miss the mark, it doesn’t mean you’re a failure - it just means you need to regroup and adjust.

What feels like a defeat today might be a powerful lesson a month or year from now. Every setback carries a seed of wisdom: maybe you learn what time of day you’re most likely to be consistent with a habit, or maybe you discover an entirely new passion because you took a wrong turn somewhere along the way.

If your struggles with goals or motivation are closely tied to depression, anxiety, or overwhelming stress, consider speaking to a mental health professional. They can help you navigate the emotional components of goal-setting and teach you coping strategies tailored to your situation.

Your goals can change as you evolve. Each one is just a chapter in the ongoing narrative of your life. Keep perspective: you’re trying these resolutions because you want to live healthier, happier, or more successfully in some domain. That sense of purpose doesn’t vanish just because you tripped up in January. Embrace the journey rather than fixating on the finish line.

We’re two months into 2025 and maybe your New Year’s resolutions didn’t get the shining start you’d hoped for. That’s perfectly okay. Take stock, adjust, and press forward. Whether you decide to rescue those dusty January goals or set brand-new resolutions, remember that any day is a good day to make a positive change.