5 Achievable New Year’s Resolutions for Women Who Want Real Change
2026…how are we already here?
Let that sink in. In 2026, Pokémon Go turns ten. So does Disney’s Moana, the mannequin challenge, and that phase where everyone was flipping water bottles like it was a competitive sport. Remember fidget spinners? Yeah. That was a whole era. And let’s not forget: Hannah Montana, The Devil Wears Prada, and My Chemical Romance’s Welcome to the Black Parade all hit their 20-year milestones.
Basically, the culture that raised us is aging. And so are we - in the best way of course!
But while we’re busy reflecting on pop culture nostalgia, another familiar tradition rolls around: New Year’s resolutions. And every year, they come with the same energy, hope, hype, and... burnout by February.
In 2025, 57% of Americans made New Year’s resolutions. The most common?
Save money (21%)
Eat healthier (19%)
Exercise more (17%)
Lose weight (15%)
But here’s the kicker, most resolutions don’t last more than four months, and fewer than 1 in 10 people stick with them for the whole year. Ouch.
And who’s still making them? Mostly younger adults. Around 58% of people under 30 made resolutions last year, compared to only 14% of folks over 65. Gen Z and Millennials were the most gung-ho. But even then, most of us dropped the ball before spring.
So maybe the problem isn’t you. Maybe it’s the way we think about resolutions in the first place.
Because here’s the truth:
We set goals based on what sounds good, not what fits our actual lives.
We don’t build in a plan - we just write the goal down and hope motivation lasts.
Life happens. We get busy. We feel guilty. We give up.
And culturally? Let’s be honest, what’s the number one thing people associate with New Year’s resolutions? Failure.
That’s why we’re not giving you some unrealistic list of 50 things to suddenly start doing on January 1st. That’s not how real change works. And that’s definitely not what you need.
Instead, we’ve pulled together five focused, practical, and empowering ways to level up on YOUR terms. No pressure. No perfection. Just strategies to help you feel more aligned with who you already are: a whole girl boss with goals worth sticking to.
Why Most Goals Fail
Because they’re too vague. Too overwhelming. Or honestly? Built around guilt.
That’s why SMART goals work. They're the antidote to the “New Year, new me” burnout cycle.
Here’s the breakdown:
Specific - Clear and detailed, not “I’ll figure it out later.”
Measurable - You can track it. Did it happen - yes or no?
Achievable - Realistic for your actual life, not your dream schedule.
Relevant - It matters to you, not what Instagram says you should care about.
Time-bound - There’s a finish line. No more “someday” goals.
Let’s put it into practice.
Instead of saying:
“I want to get healthier this year.”
Try:
“I want to go on a 30-minute walk after dinner three times a week for the next two months.”
That version? It’s manageable. It works if you have kids, a job, or just... life. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about making progress you can feel.
And this approach? It works for pretty much any area of your life:
Fitness → “Take 3 yoga classes per week through March.”
Finances → “Save $50 a month into a vacation fund.”
Career → “Update my resume and apply to 5 jobs by end of February.”
Self-care → “Read one book a month just for fun.”
SMART goals don’t just sound good, they work because they start where you are and build from there.
#1: Forget the 6am Grind: Set a Fitness Goal You’ll Actually Keep
Let’s be honest, most fitness goals fall apart because they’re built on hype instead of reality. We think we need to hit the gym five days a week, buy matching workout sets, and somehow love burpees. But real talk? That’s not what most of us need…or want.
What actually works? A goal that fits your life. Something low-pressure, personal, and totally doable. The kind of movement you actually enjoy doing. That’s how you build consistency, and consistency is where the real results live.
Here’s a no-stress way to create a fitness goal that you’ll actually stick with. Try something like:
“I want to [move your body in a way you enjoy] for [amount of time] on [specific days] for the next [# of weeks or months].”
Real examples? Sure.
“I want to do a 20-minute yoga video on YouTube every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for the next two months.”
Or “I want to walk the dog for 30 minutes after dinner four times a week through February.”
Or even “I want to stretch for 10 minutes after I get the kids to bed, five nights a week until spring.”
You get to decide what movement looks like. It doesn’t need to be intense to be effective…it just needs to happen.
And if you want to make it easier to remember? Use what behavior experts call habit stacking. You pair your new goal with something you already do. Like this:
After I make my morning coffee, I’ll do 10 squats.
After I finish work, I’ll go for a 15-minute walk.
After dinner, I’ll stretch for 5 minutes.
This trick makes your new habit easier to remember and harder to skip, mainly because it’s tied to something already wired into your routine.
And the best part? Science backs it up. A 2021 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that even 15–20 minutes of movement, three to five times a week, improved energy, lowered stress, and supported cardiovascular health…especially in busy women balancing a lot.
So no, you don’t need to become a fitness influencer. You just need to move your body in ways that feel good and keep showing up - even when it’s small. That’s what real consistency looks like.
#2: Forget Saving $10k Overnight: Create a Realistic Money Goal That Fits Your Life
Let’s be real, talking about money can feel heavy. It comes with stress, shame, and pressure to “have it all together.” But the truth is, most of us weren’t taught how to manage money in a way that feels empowering. We were just told not to spend it.
So instead of beating yourself up over what you should be doing, try asking this instead:
What do I actually want my money to do for me this year?
Not in a vague “be rich someday” way, but in a personal, practical, maybe-even-a-little-selfish way. Like:
I want to stop feeling panicked every time rent is due.
I want to save up for that trip I keep putting off.
I want to feel less anxious when I check my bank account.
I want my finances to support the life I’m building - not block it.
Once you’re clear on that answer, you can work backwards and build something realistic. Not perfect. Not performative. Just doable.
Maybe your first S.M.A.R.T. move is as small as:
“I want to transfer $10 to savings every Friday until spring.”
Or
“I want to check my account once a week without looking away.”
That’s it. Start there. No fancy spreadsheets, no money detoxes, no pressure to cut out every little joy purchase.
And if budgeting feels like a bad word? Cool. Don’t budget. Plan. Set a money intention for the month. Something like:
“This month, I’m spending less on impulse buys so I can finally buy that bookshelf I’ve been eyeing.”
The power comes from being in choice - not in restriction. You’re telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.
And here's a pro tip: set a recurring reminder in your phone. Every Sunday night, just five minutes. Check your balance, glance at your spending, adjust something if needed. Done.
Money doesn’t have to be a source of stress. It can be a tool for building the kind of life you actually want. You don’t need to get it perfect, you just need to get a little more intentional.
#3: Build a Self-Care Routine That Actually Feels Like Care
Self-care became a mainstream idea somewhere between the rise of wellness culture and the crash of burnout culture. At first, it was radical - this notion that taking care of yourself wasn’t selfish, but essential.
But like so many things, once the phrase started trending, it also started losing its meaning.
Now, self-care often gets mistaken for indulgence. Something you do once you’ve earned it. A reward after a hard week. A treat.
And sure, sometimes it is the candle-lit bath or the solo Target run. But most of the time? Real self-care is far less glamorous - and far more necessary.
Self-care goals (the kind that don’t show up well on social media) might look like:
Going to bed when you’re tired, even if the dishes aren’t done.
Putting your phone on Do Not Disturb so your brain can reset.
Choosing a meal that fuels you instead of just fills the gap.
Noticing when you’re overwhelmed - and pausing, not pushing.
Letting yourself ask for help without apology.
Doing the thing that protects your peace, even if it disappoints someone else.
If you want to turn this into a goal, keep it simple. Try:
“I want to check in with myself once a day and do one thing (big or small) that helps me feel more grounded.”
Some days, that’ll be obvious. Other days, it might feel impossible. But asking the question matters. It keeps you connected to yourself in a way that’s easy to lose when life gets full.
#4: Forget Working Harder: Go After the Raise or Promotion You’ve Earned
“I’m not going to limit myself just because people won’t accept the fact that I can do something else.”
There comes a point where working hard isn’t the problem - you’re already doing that. You show up. You contribute. You handle your responsibilities, and probably some that aren’t even technically yours. But if the recognition, pay, or title hasn’t caught up with the work you’re putting in? It might be time to stop waiting for it to happen and start building a plan to ask for it.
Career development doesn’t always mean chasing a corner office. For some women, it’s about stepping into leadership. For others, it’s finding work that feels meaningful, setting better boundaries, or finally making a career shift that’s been sitting in your notes app for two years.
Whatever version speaks to you, start with clarity.
Try this:
“I want to define one professional goal that aligns with the kind of life I want to build.”
That might look like:
“I want to prep to ask for a raise by tracking my wins over the next three months.”
“I want to reach out to someone I admire in my field and start a conversation.”
“I want to apply to three roles that better match my values and strengths.”
“I want to protect time each week to build the business idea I’ve been sitting on.”
You don’t need a five-year plan. You just need a first step.
And here’s the other part: connection. Not awkward LinkedIn networking, but real relationships. Mentorship. Conversations. Finding the women who’ve done what you want to do, and learning from them. Then paying that forward when it’s your turn.
Because working hard is great. But advocating for yourself? That’s where the shift happens.
As Dolly Parton once said:
“I’m not going to limit myself just because people won’t accept the fact that I can do something else.”
So don’t shrink your ambition to fit someone else’s expectations. Not this year. This year, you ask for more, and mean it.
#5: Forget Waiting for More Time: Start Making a Difference in Small, Consistent Ways
There’s this idea that giving back has to be big. Like it doesn’t “count” unless you’re volunteering every weekend or starting a nonprofit. But the truth is, impact doesn’t need to be massive to matter. Sometimes it looks like one hour, one action, one person.
And let’s be real, your life is probably already full. Which means if you wait for the perfect time to give back, you might be waiting a while. So instead of waiting, start small.
Begin with one question:
What cause actually matters to me?
Not the one that looks good on paper. The one that makes you feel something.
Is it mentoring young women? Supporting mental health in your community? Helping local families access basic resources? Giving animals a second chance?
Once you have that, create a resolution that fits your life right now.
“I want to volunteer once a month with an organization that aligns with my values.”
“I want to donate 10% of my freelance income to a cause I care about.”
“I want to use my skills to support a nonprofit twice this quarter.”
“I want to attend one local community meeting to better understand what people around me need.”
In Lorain County, this might look like helping out at a local shelter, tutoring at a community center, organizing food drives, or even just showing up where support is needed. Small things, done consistently, shape communities.
And here's something that might surprise you: research shows that volunteering improves mental health, increases your sense of purpose, and boosts long-term happiness.
So What Did We Learn?
You don’t need a brand-new personality to start the new year. You don’t need a bullet journal full of color-coded habits, or a resolution list that takes a whole afternoon to write.
What you do need, if anything, is a few honest goals that feel good, fit your life, and give you something to move toward.
We’ve talked about setting fitness goals that respect your energy.
We’ve reframed financial planning to feel empowering, not overwhelming.
We’ve reclaimed self-care as maintenance, not a luxury.
We’ve looked at career development as something you get to define—not something to wait around for.
And we’ve reminded ourselves that giving back doesn’t require extra time, just a little intention.
And if every single one of these feels overwhelming, try this:
I want to move through this year with intention - not pressure.
The rest will follow.