Are your New Years Intentions Fading? Read on...

WHY NEW YEAR INTENTIONS FADE (AND WHAT ACTUALLY HELPS)

It’s common to start the year with excitement and a long list of intentions and grand visions, only to notice that motivation beginning to fade. Around this time of year, I notice many students experiencing a sense of disappointment or self-judgement when their well-intended plans don’t unfold exactly as imagined... even similar to the feelings of depression.

Please rest assured that you are not failing and you are not alone.

By this point in the year, many notice their New Year intentions quietly slipping away. From a psychological perspective, this is not a failure of willpower, it’s a reflection of how the human nervous system works.

At the start of the year, motivation is often driven by dopamine from the excitement of something new. As routine returns and life becomes busy, that chemical boost naturally declines.

When goals are built on pressure or self-criticism (I should be doing this...), the nervous system can shift into stress or avoidance mode, making follow-through even harder.

Research in psychology and mental health consistently shows that self-compassion, not discipline, is a stronger predictor of sustainable change. Practices that are small, embodied, and emotionally supportive are far more likely to last than rigid resolutions. Instead of: Why can’t I stick to this?' or, ' What is wrong with me'?' A more supportive and important question is:

What does my mind, body and soul need right now to feel safe enough to continue?

This is where gentle practices like mindful movement, breath awareness, and consistent routines that feel nourishing rather than demanding become powerful. They support emotional regulation, reduce mental overload, and help habits re-form naturally over time.

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If you’re noticing your intentions fading, here are a few supportive ways to re-approach them:

• Reduce the goal until it feels doable. The nervous system responds better to small, achievable actions than big commitments. Even five minutes of movement or stillness counts.

• Anchor habits to how you want to feel, not what you want to achieve. Instead of focusing on outcomes, ask: What feeling am I trying to support, calm, clarity, energy, steadiness?

• Create consistency through kindness. Gentle repetition builds trust with yourself. Missing a day doesn’t undo progress, it’s part of being human.

• Let the body lead. Practices that involve breath, movement, or rest help regulate the mind from the bottom up, rather than relying on mental effort alone.

Progress doesn’t come from doing more.

It comes from listening more closely.

Remember, resilience is built through awareness and compassion, not through pressure. This is an opportunity to practice self-kindness, recalibrate your intentions, and move forward at a pace that feels sustainable and nourishing.

Yoga and mindful movement can support this process by reconnecting you with your body, your breath, and your sense of presence. Each step, however small, counts and each moment is an invitation to return to your intentions with gentleness. 

If you’d like additional support along the way, my Yoga Therapy sessions are available to help guide you with personalised strategies for reconnecting with your intentions and wellbeing.

I hope to see you at our peaceful healing house soon.

Blessings,

Carolina