Practical Tips to Make New Year’s Resolutions Stick in 2025

The glitter of New Year’s Eve always makes big promises. This is going to be your year, right? But by February, those shiny resolutions can start to look more like guilt-inducing chores, at least for me.

The problem isn’t you—it’s the approach. Resolutions aren’t one-size-fits-all, and they don’t have to be overwhelming.

Let’s talk about how to make resolutions that actually work, in ways that don’t feel like another job on your already-full plate.

Here are 11 actionable tips to help you tackle your goals in a way that feels doable and realistic.

1. Shrink Your Goal Down to Its Core

Most resolutions fail because they’re too vague or too big. Instead of saying, “I want to get healthy,” break it down. What does “healthy” mean to you? Better sleep? Eating more veggies? Walking more? Pick one thing to focus on first. For me, this year will be about walking more, because I think it will be the most beneficial at this point in my life.

Practical step: If your resolution is to exercise more, start with just five minutes a day. Yes, five. You’re building the habit, not running a marathon—yet.

2. Make It Ridiculously Easy to Start

Willpower is overrated. If you’re relying on sheer determination to drag yourself to the gym or cut out sugar, you’re going to burn out. Instead, remove the barriers that make your goal hard to achieve.

Practical step: Lay out your workout clothes before bed, pre-chop veggies for snacks, or set up an automatic transfer to savings—whatever matches your resolution. Make it so easy it feels silly not to do it.

3. Stack Your New Habit on an Old One

Habit stacking is a genius way to slip resolutions into your routine without upending your life. Pair a new habit with something you already do automatically.

Practical step: Want to read more? Leave a book by your coffee maker and read one page while your coffee brews. One page. That’s it. The magic is in consistency, not quantity.

4. Turn Goals into Experiments, Not Absolutes

Nothing kills motivation faster than perfectionism. Instead of declaring, “I’ll never eat junk food again,” try, “I’ll experiment with meal prepping lunches for a week.” Experiments let you tweak and learn without feeling like you’ve failed.

Practical step: Reframe your resolutions as “I’m trying this for X days” instead of “I must do this forever.” This way, you’re setting yourself up for growth, not guilt.

5. Celebrate Every Tiny Win

Too often, we wait until the big goal is achieved to pat ourselves on the back. That’s a recipe for burnout. Celebrate the small victories—because those are what actually build momentum.

Practical step: Did you make it to the gym for 10 minutes? Win! Save $10 this week? Celebrate! Give yourself a high-five, text a friend, or enjoy a guilt-free reward.

6. Track Progress Your Way

Tracking isn’t about perfection; it’s about awareness. You can’t adjust what you’re not noticing. The trick is finding a method that feels natural to you.

Practical step: Use a simple checklist, a habit-tracking app, or even sticky notes on your mirror. Keep it visual and low-pressure.

7. Expect (and Plan for) Setbacks

Here’s the truth: you will stumble. Life gets messy, energy dips, and motivation fades. What matters is how you respond. The key is having a plan to get back on track.

Practical step: Write down one or two things you’ll do if you miss a day or fall off track. For example, “If I skip a workout, I’ll do a 5-minute stretch before bed instead.”

8. Focus on How You Want to Feel

Sometimes goals feel dry or abstract. Instead of just focusing on the outcome (like losing weight or saving money), think about the feelings tied to those goals—like confidence, security, or joy.

Practical step: Add a visual cue to remind you of this feeling—a mood board, a sticky note with a keyword like “alive” or “peace,” or a phone wallpaper with an inspiring phrase. Check out the Cozy Shop for thoughtfully designed tools to keep you inspired.

9. Limit Your Resolutions to 1-3 Priorities

You don’t have to change your whole life in January. Trying to tackle too many resolutions at once is a recipe for frustration. Pick one to three priorities that truly matter to you.

Practical step: Write your top three goals somewhere you’ll see them daily. It’s a simple reminder to focus on what’s most important.

10. Find an Accountability Buddy (or System)

Sharing your goals with someone else can keep you motivated. If you’re not into sharing, find a system that keeps you accountable—even if it’s just a sticky note tracker or a weekly check-in with yourself.

Practical step: Text a friend, join a Facebook group, or start a shared Google doc where you can cheer each other on. Accountability doesn’t have to be intense—it just needs to be consistent.

11. Try a No-Spend Challenge to Boost Financial Goals

If saving money is on your list of resolutions, consider making it fun with a no-spend challenge. These challenges are a great way to reset spending habits and focus on essentials, while potentially uncovering creative ways to save.

Practical step: Pick a time frame—a weekend, a week, or even a month—and commit to only spending on necessities like groceries and bills. You’ll be surprised at how empowering it feels to say no to impulse buys.

Resolutions don’t have to be about pressure or perfection. They can be about exploring, experimenting, and celebrating the small steps. Here’s to making 2025 the year your resolutions finally feel good—because they work for you, not against you.