This year, I dove into New Year’s resolutions. My daughter dared me to join her in a habit-breaking challenge she’s been wrestling with for two years. (Sharing more at the end!) And while my inner-teacher-mom heart couldn't resist yet another lesson for my teen, I jumped in for me this time!

Admit it: you’ve taken on a New Year’s resolution that felt like the one—the one that would shake up your life, finally break that habit you’ve been side-eyeing for years, or launch you into the most successful version of yourself.

But here’s the truth: I’m still terrified because A) I don’t like to lose and B) The last thing my daughter needs is more stress.

It’s not that we can’t handle it; it’s because New Year’s resolutions come with a lot of baggage. We tend to share them with others and set ourselves up for failure within minutes. Here's why…

Let’s get real: What’s the actual culprit behind abandoned wellness plans? It’s not just a lack of willpower or unrealistic goals. It’s this sneaky, everyday villain that thrives on chaos and distraction: overcommitment.

Why Overcommitment is Killing Your Wellness Goals

1. The "Yes" Trap
   How many times have you added someone else’s priority to your plate, only to push your own goals aside? We tell ourselves, “I’ll get to my workout right after I do ____.” Spoiler: we rarely do. Overcommitment to others’ schedules or priorities leaves our wellness on the back burner.

2. Social Media FOMO
   Let’s talk about one of the biggest distractions. One scroll through your feed, and suddenly your goal to eat more veggies turns into a need to try intermittent fasting because everyone’s doing it. Or maybe it’s time to be an early-morning exerciser for the first time in your life (when you admit you’re a seasoned night owl). Social media’s highlight reels can make you question your own perfectly good plan, derailing your focus.

3. Perfectionism Paralysis
   We love to dream big—and that’s not a bad thing! But when our resolutions demand flawless execution, they’re doomed from the start. Missing one workout or having a cheat day can feel like failure, leading to the dreaded “Why bother?”

4. Procrastination Nation
   “This is the year I’ll meditate every morning!” Sound familiar? Now add work deadlines, back-to-back Zoom calls, and kids who need a ride to soccer practice or elderly parents with a last-minute need. Before you know it, it’s bedtime and your “calm, meditative self” is still waiting to show up.

5. Neglecting Wellness in the Name of… Wellness?
   Here’s the kicker: sometimes, we go so hard on one aspect of wellness that we neglect the bigger picture. You might be crushing your “steps goal” but skipping sleep, or meal-prepping like a pro while ignoring your need for emotional downtime.

The Secret to a Successful 2025 Wellness Plan

So how do we conquer overcommitment and its entourage of distractions? Start with these micro-shifts:

• Set Boundaries: Block off your wellness time like a non-negotiable meeting. You wouldn’t cancel on your boss—why cancel on yourself.

• Simplify Your Goals: Go for progress, not perfection. Instead of “I’ll work out five days a week” try “I’ll move my body in a way I enjoy three times this week.”

• Mute the Noise: Literally. Turn off social media notifications during your wellness activities to stay present.

• Be Flexible, Not Flimsy: Life happens. Adjust your goals as needed but don’t let hiccups derail you.

• Celebrate Wins (Even Tiny Ones!): That 10-minute walk instead of none? Worth cheering for.

Join the Challenge

This year, I’m leaning into the challenge with our daughters and am (as of January 10) crushing one and taking smaller steps toward the other. 

I don’t drink enough water. In fact, I admit I can get to the day's end and will have drunk less than 32oz. I was also drinking too much coffee. Yes, while I pack my coffee with tons of protein and a variety of supplements, in the end I was still consuming way too much of it. I originally overcommitted to the goal and completely stopped. Don’t do this. I was practically sick. Now I measure my coffee in the morning. I’m already drinking 25% of what I did before. I’m also using an app that my daughter Rachel found to measure my water that celebrates my achievement when I hit my daily goal. So far for January, I’m 9 for 10. 

Rachel would love to consume less sugar. She recognizes it impacts sleep, her performance as an athlete, and a bunch of other things. So far, she has come up with a reasonable approach where she doesn’t stop it completely, as we know that won’t last. Instead she has a better, more measured plan to reduce her sugar intake. Her water consumption is truly amazing, consuming at least 32 oz by 6am every morning – so having her as my partner in this challenge helps me stay motivated.

Whether you’re tackling mindfulness, a more regular exercise routine, or just getting more sleep, remember: the best wellness plans don’t happen in a vacuum. They’re built on creating new itty-bitty habits, celebrating them regularly, and stacking others on top of them. Adding a tad of self-compassion, a dash of humor, and a willingness to adapt can make you even more successful with your resolutions this year.

Let’s make 2025 the year we ditch the overcommitment cycle and adopt small, meaningful changes. I dare you to find a partner this year like I did. Who’s in?

If you need support on how to intuitively fuel your body, I encourage you to connect with Adrien Cotton Wellness, so we can discuss which of my programs works best for you. Sign up for a FREE, brief consultation.

SEE ALSO:  My Five Favorites for Weight Loss and Maintenance