Wed Jan 01 09:18:03 UTC 2025: ## Forget Resolutions: Psychologists Say It’s Okay to Skip the New Year’s Pledge
**Minneapolis, MN** – The pressure to make and keep New Year’s resolutions often leads to disappointment, with most people abandoning their goals by February. But a growing number of psychologists are suggesting that skipping resolutions altogether may be the key to lasting self-improvement.
Dr. Terri Bly, a therapist at LynLake Centers of WellBeing in Minneapolis-St. Paul, explains that the post-holiday period naturally leads to self-reflection. Instead of making sweeping, often unrealistic changes, Dr. Bly advises focusing on understanding the *why* behind desired changes. She emphasizes identifying personal values and setting achievable goals, suggesting small, sustainable steps rather than overly ambitious ones.
“There’s nothing magical about New Year’s Day that makes us ready to change,” Dr. Bly explains. “When it comes to change, we’re most likely to be successful when we wait till we’re ready.”
The conventional approach of setting drastic goals, such as drastically altering diet or exercise routines, often results in failure. This is because such resolutions are typically driven by external pressures and lack a genuine connection to personal values. Dr. Bly suggests identifying the underlying desire for change (e.g., wanting to be healthier) and exploring various, less painful ways to achieve that.
Instead of making a list of resolutions on January 1st, Dr. Bly and others encourage a more gradual, self-driven approach to personal improvement, allowing individuals to organically discover their goals throughout the year. This approach minimizes the pressure and maximizes the likelihood of long-term success.
First Piper 