Resolutions, Regrets, & Regrowth: A New Year’s Pep Talk

Hello readers it's Dulce and HAPPY NEW YEAR!! I’m happy 2024 is over it was a filler year where it didn't go the way I wanted and planned to but that’s life. I wanted to create a long list of New Year resolutions to improve but I shouldn’t. Let’s get real. New Year’s resolutions are like glitter. They seem fun at first, but they’re messy, overwhelming, and hard to clean up once things go sideways. They promise transformation and sparkle, but by February, most of us are just over it. Is it because we’re weak? Lazy? Nope. It’s because we’re human, and change is hard.

Last year, I had big plans. I was going to improve, grow my hair Rapunzel-long, learn multiple languages, save money to travel, and turn it into my dream Pinterest board. By the end of 2024, guess what? I was the same snack-loving, broke(ish) 😭 (working in progress), who does not know French and Korean self. And honestly? I felt highly disappointed in myself.

But here’s where things shifted. My therapist asked me a question that stopped me in my tracks. She said, “Where do you want to be in six months, a year, or five years? And what’s stopping you from starting now?” It wasn’t about what I didn’t achieve last year, it was about my mindset and what I could start doing now. That hit me hard.

You see, resolutions aren’t about perfection. They’re about progress. They’re not about a perfectly curated to-do list (though let’s be honest, writing them down in pastel highlighters is half the fun). They’re about creating a vision for your future self. The version of you who doesn’t live with regret, wishing they’d just taken the first step.

The truth is, that achieving goals is messy. It requires sacrifice, courage, and, most of all, patience. The hardest part? Deciding what to let go of. Maybe it’s comfort, Netflix binges, or the idea that everything has to be perfect before you even start. Growth means making choices, and sometimes, it’s scary.

Here’s the thing about fear, it’s normal. In fact, it’s human. We’re not wired to embrace change easily, we’re wired to survive. That’s why stepping into the unknown feels like a risk. But what I’ve learned is that courage isn’t a magical, lightbulb moment. It’s a decision to go towards something bigger than yourself and in this case, a tiny, quiet choice you make over and over again.

Last year, I realized I could sit and pity myself for the resolutions I didn’t stick to. Or, I could remind myself of the mindset and the place I’m trying to escape from. What do I want more, to stay where I am, or to move forward?

This year, my focus isn’t on achieving everything, it’s on becoming the kind of person who tries, stumbles, and keeps going. Someone who makes peace with imperfection and leans into progress. And if you’re feeling stuck, let me remind you, that you’re not alone!! You don’t have to have it all figured out today, tomorrow, or even next week. As my therapist so wisely said, “Take one day at a time.” That’s it.

Some days, that might mean crushing it at the gym or spending extra time studying my statistics. On other days, it might mean getting out of bed and brushing your teeth, and that’s okay too. Progress isn’t linear, and success doesn’t come without setbacks. This isn’t about quick fixes or big leaps. It’s about baby steps, the kind that might feel small now but add up to something incredible later. Because one day, you’ll look back and realize that every small, brave moment led you to where you’re meant to be.

So as the new year begins, let’s ditch the pressure to be perfect. Let’s focus on the goals that matter: to grow, to glow, to expand, to escape what holds us back, to achieve more joy, more peace, more of what makes us feel alive.

Here’s to us, the messy, fabulous, determined works in progress. Let’s walk into this year with hope in our hearts, courage in our steps, and the kind of confidence that comes from knowing we’re doing the best we can. And honestly? That’s more than enough.

Happy New Year! I wish y'all success, happiness, good health, and abundance throughout 2025!!