New Year, New Energy: Why Resolutions Fail (and what to do instead)
Woman with brown hair and glasses writing 2026 intentions in a journal with coffee on the side
New Year, New Energy: Why Resolutions Fail (and what to do instead)
January hits and suddenly everyone's talking about kale smoothies and gym memberships. "New Year, New You." And as someone who helps women decode their energy and build sustainable wellness habits, I'm all for taking care of yourself.
But here's the thing: you're more than just a body that needs optimizing. You're a whole, complex human with dreams, relationships, and that creative project you keep meaning to start. You don't need a "new you."
We’ve heard how this goes: 80% of people abandon their New Year’s resolutions by February.
Why? Because we set big, vague goals with no roadmap ('get fit!') that quickly become unsustainable demands ('gym 5x/week!').
We’re trying to change too much, too fast, so naturally, it becomes overwhelming and we give up. The underlying reason is that we're ticking boxes off a list instead of focusing on how we want to feel.
“Did you know? The second Friday in January is known as “Quitter’s Day”, the day most people give up on their resolutions.”
So don’t set resolutions this year.
While everyone else is white-knuckling their way through Dry January, what if you created flexible, gentle intentions that you can actually stick with all year?
What Are Intentions? (and why they work better than resolutions)
Instead of resolutions, let's talk about intention setting. While resolutions are rigid, all-or-nothing commitments to specific outcomes, Intentions are gentle and flexible guideposts for how you want to feel and how you want to show up.
When you focus on becoming someone who moves their body joyfully or creates calm in their home, there are many paths to get there. You can adjust as you go, focusing on the real, underlying, and sustainable outcome (how you feel).
Instead of checking tasks off a list, you’re creating a way of being. Set your intentions by first thinking about how you want to feel and what you want your life to look like. The best way to capture that is with a Vibe Board.
Vibe Board vs Vision Board: What's the Difference?
You’ve probably heard of vision boards, maybe you’ve even made one before. Vision boards focus on tangible outcomes: the dream vacation, the organized home, the ideal weight. Vibe Boards focus on the energy and the feelings you want to create in your life.
It’s like a vision board, but captures how you want to feel, what energy you want in your home, and what moments you want to create. Ultimately, these are more directly within your control than many of the tangible outcomes on a vision board.
Instead of pictures of a beach vacation, you might capture the feeling of "relaxed and present." Instead of images of a perfect body, you focus on "strong and energized." The vibe comes first; the actions follow naturally.
And yes, health matters, but let's expand what 'health' even means. Wellness is more than what you eat and how much you exercise. You're also someone with relationships to nurture, creativity to explore, and a life that deserves to feel good in ALL areas.
6 Resolutions Reframed as Energy-Supporting Intentions
So what does this look like in practice? Here are some intention-based shifts to consider:
1. Feel energized and strong.
Instead of "lose 10 pounds" or "go to the gym 5x/week," focus on how you want to feel in your body. Maybe that's taking daily walks that clear your mind, or moving in ways that feel good rather than punishing. This might mean gentle movement that supports your natural energy rhythms rather than high-intensity workouts that deplete you. The intention is energy and vitality, not a number on the scale.
2. Nourish for sustained energy.
Instead of another restrictive diet, focus on adding foods that make you feel good. Notice what gives you sustained energy throughout the day, what helps you sleep, what makes your body feel cared for. The goal is feeling nourished, not restricting yourself with rigid rules.
3. Cultivate real gratitude.
Instead of resolving to "be happier" or "practice gratitude," focus on what you're actually building: calm and resilience. When you regularly notice what's good (even small things) you train your brain to stay grounded instead of spiraling when something goes wrong.
Keep a journal, text your best friend why she's amazing, or pause at the end of the day to notice one thing you’re thankful for. Research shows this practice helps you respond to stress with more resilience and sleep better at night. The intention is feeling calm and capable, not forcing positivity when life is hard.
4. Restore your energy daily.
Instead of "get organized" or "practice self-care," focus on what you're building: mental clarity and the capacity to show up without feeling drained. Declutter your desk so your mind can focus. Take five minutes to breathe between tasks so you don't crash later. These micro-restorations create physical and mental space, which help you feel recharged, both physically and emotionally. The intention is feeling clear-headed, valued, confident.
5. Embrace curiosity and growth.
Instead of "learn a new skill" or "take up a hobby," focus on the feeling behind it. Always wanted to learn Italian or pick up the ukulele? The accomplishment matters less than the feeling of expansion, playfulness and curiosity… that sense of "I'm still growing” and “I have purpose."
6. Nurture connection.
Instead of vague promises to "spend more time with family" or "be more social," focus on what you're actually craving: feeling loved, supported, and like you belong. Create specific moments that feed that: Schedule the coffee date with your best friend. Block out weekly date nights with your partner. Volunteer at the local food bank. Show up to that neighborhood thing you always skip. The intention is creating the energy of love, belonging, and contribution, not just checking off social obligations.
To sum it up…
The new year isn't about "fixing" yourself. It's about becoming more yourself and feeling good while you do it. That's why each of these intentions focuses on how you want to feel, not just what you want to accomplish. When you're clear on the energy you're creating (calm, valued, connected, energized) the actions become easier because they're actually serving something that matters to you.
And you don't need all six. Pick one or two that resonate. Simple, focused intentions are more sustainable and beat an overwhelming list every time.
Join the Vibe Board Workshop
Which leads me to how I can help you do this…
On Wednesday, January 21, 2026 we're doing a FREE Workshop in the Natural Energy Solutions group to help you crystallize your year in terms of how you want to feel, what you want your life to look like, and the energy you want to have. This will be the basis for your 2026 Intentions.
It’s a simple, grounded approach to:
Create your Vibe Board to capture how you want to feel in 2026
Set Intentions that actually matter to you
Build a simple, flexible Roadmap that fits your real life
The workshop will be live on Wednesday, January 21st. No registration needed. You get free access just by being in this group. Plus, there will be a replay in case you can’t make it live.
🤔 Your homework this week is to start noticing the energy you want in 2026… the feelings, the rhythms, the emotions behind what you want to accomplish.
Join Natural Energy Solutions here and let's create a year that feels good and lasts. No February fall-offs and no white-knuckling!
Can't wait to do this with you!
A’s to Your Q’s About Intentions & Vibe Boards
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Resolutions are rigid, all-or-nothing commitments to specific outcomes("lose 20 pounds"). Intentions are flexible guideposts for how you want to feel ("feel strong and energized").
Resolutions focus on achievement. Intentions focus on becoming.
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A Vibe Board captures how you want to feel in 2026, not just what you want to achieve. Instead of pictures of tangible goals, you focus on the energy, emotions, and moments you want to create. It's the gentler, more flexible, feeling-first version of a traditional vision board.
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Start with one feeling or the type of energy you want more of (calm, intentional, energized, connected). Then identify 1-2 simple actions that support that feeling. Adjust as you go. Life is fluid, and you and your environment will evolve and change throughout the year. Intentions aren't meant to be rigid, they're meant to guide you back to what matters.
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Come to my free Vibe Board Workshop on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. And yes, it’s completely free when you join my Natural Energy Solutions community on Skool (also free!).
No catch, no upsell during the workshop, just practical guidance for creating your 2026 intentions and Vibe Board to be your flexible guideposts through the year.
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