I have never really been a big fan of New Year’s resolutions. They always felt a little forced and fake – something you brag about to your family or friends, because they sound good on paper, but are something that you never fully commit to. Plus I have found that most people tend to overcommit with their resolutions, and often give up within the first couple of weeks anyway, just leaving them feeling like a failure – and no one needs that kind of negativity in the new year.
So this year I’m not making any so-called “healthy” New Year’s resolutions and avoiding the failure altogether. Instead, I am taking the new year as a time to recommit to what makes me feel my best, to narrow down those little things that are truly important in my life, and to focus on what really matters. That is what inspired me to develop this list of 6 compromises that I am not willing to make in the new year.
These are the goals that I am recommitting to, the key habits that I am reinforcing, and the little things that I know make me feel my best that I am not willing to sacrifice as we take this next trip around the sun.
Compromises I Won’t Be Making in the New Year
1. Sacrificing Quality Sleep
Sleep is one of the biggest things I will not compromise on. Recently, I have gotten into a really great sleep routine, and the better and more consistently I sleep, the more I realize just how much it means to me. I have friends who will pull an all nighter to meet a deadline or get a project completed. But for me, I am useless if I don’t get consistent, good quality sleep. I need my 7 ½ to 8 hours every night to function at optimal levels. This means going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time each day to ensure I get the best possible sleep.
A couple of years ago, I went through a phase where I was not sleeping well. I would wake up at the same time every night and have the hardest time falling back asleep. It stressed me out, which only made it harder for me to get a good night’s sleep. If you find yourself struggling with sleep issues, I feel for you. I know how hard it can be. But I also encourage you to find what works for you, research and be open to new techniques to improve your sleep routine, and truly commit to giving your body the time it needs to rest – without compromise.
2. Falling Short on My Fiber and Protein Goals
Another thing that I am definitely not compromising on in 2026 is nutrition. Having just recently started really putting an emphasis on seeing food and fuel and recognizing that what we eat has a profound effect on not only our physical health, but mental health as well. I am not compromising on meeting my protein and fiber goals each day. I recognize that when I eat good, I feel good.
So this year, I am choosing to fuel my body with exactly what it needs to thrive, physically and mentally. I am prioritizing eating lots of plant based goodness along with nutrient packed fish, meats, and dairy to give my body a balanced, healthy diet and help me achieve all my goals this year.
Want to get more fiber and protein for breakfast? Check out some of my favorite recipes.
3. Skipping My Daily Movement
Moving your body is one of the simplest things you can do to boost your mood and health every day. Research strongly supports that movement boosts endorphins, creating feelings of happiness, reducing pain/anxiety, and improving mood.
Whether it is a quick power boost to fire up or a gentle yin stretch, I start every day with a quick yoga practice – even if it’s just a couple of minutes. It used to be all too easy to skip yoga if I was busy or feeling sick or low energy, but then I realized that it was on those days that my body really needed it the most. On busy days, a quick, powerful yoga practice gives me the boost I need to tackle my to-do list with a positive attitude and clear head. Even when I am sick, I have found that a gentle yoga practice helps release tension and muscle soreness, allows me to tune in and center, and can even help break up congestion in my chest and sinuses.
In addition to my yoga practice, I make it a priority to get outside and walk every day and regularly lift weights to build strength.
Learn more about how I schedule movement into my perfect morning routine.
4. Losing My Calm
Keeping a centered, calm mind, no matter what comes my way is essential for my happiness. But it is not always easy. I make time throughout each day to find stillness and awareness, sit with my emotions, and allow myself to center in the present moment. Daily movement (including yoga, walking, and lifting) helps with this, but I also practice meditation regularly.
In this new year, I am making finding my calm a priority, because how you show up for yourself determines how you can show up for others.
5. Giving Away My Time
If I were to recommend any one New Year’s resolution that I think could lead you to success and a happier life, it would probably be a commitment to being intentional with how you spend your time. It is easy to get caught up in social, family, or work obligations, with everything always pulling you in a different direction and fighting for your time. But your time is precious – it is the most precious commodity you have. You only have so much time each day, week, and year.
While I know I can’t always fit everything in that I might want to do each day, I choose to be intentional with the commitments I say yes to, prioritizing what is most important to me.
Because how you spend each moment adds up. Minutes become hours, hours become days, and days become years. These small choices and moments add up, and it becomes how you spend your life without you even realizing it. So what life do you want to look back on? I am committing to choosing what is most important and letting go of what does not serve me.
6. Overlooking the Joy & Gratitude in Ordinary Moments
In the tiny, ordinary, everyday stuff, that is where the real magic happens. Taking time to enjoy that first sip of coffee or tea, the morning light streaming through a window, hopeful and bright, the laughter of a loved one – those are the little things that bring real magic to our lives. It can be so easy to get caught up in the bustle and hurry through things. But enjoying those simple, everyday moments is what life is all about.
If you are looking for a more joyful life this new year, I encourage you to look towards the tiny moments. For it is not necessarily big changes, but small shifts in how we experience each moment that really matters.
What Do You Want to Bring with You Into the New Year?
Whether you are a firm believer in committing to the best healthy New Year’s resolutions or you just want to make some small commitments to yourself for a healthier and happier new year, I believe it all starts with thinking about what you want to bring with you into the new year.
What really matters to you? What do you want to prioritize? What can you leave behind? And what do you really want to bring with you into the new year to help you achieve your best every day?
If my list of compromises I am not willing to make in the new year has helped inspire you to evaluate your priorities or even make a list of changes, I want to hear from you. Let me know in the comments below what commitments you are making to help you meet your goals this year.