Renewal Versus Resolution

This morning, I woke up at 4:00 a.m., propelled by persistent thoughts of all my unfinished, lingering to-dos. Quietly, I slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb my 4-year-old, cozy and sprawled beside me. Tiptoeing through the hallways, every creak and squeak felt like a betrayal of the silence.

Nestled on the couch with a coffee in hand, I launched into my mental checklist. Suddenly, a thought intruded: “I will have all my paperwork settled before the New Year.” On the surface, it sounds productive. But for me, a mother recovering from the whirlwind of the past month, it felt like an unwelcome guest—that self-imposed pressure to set lofty goals. Resolutions are everywhere this time of year, perched under every rock and woven into every scroll on social media.

I’m not immune to the collective energy of a new year. The promise of newness, whether from conditioning or genuine excitement, is intoxicating. Every January, I embrace a familiar reset: healthier eating, abstaining from alcohol, and a no-spend challenge. These rituals offer me something valuable: the chance to slow down. But are they resolutions? By definition, a New Year’s resolution is a “promise to yourself to start or stop doing something at the start of the year.” So maybe they are. Yet, over the years, these practices have evolved into something more meaningful: self-renewal.

For me, January has become a season of hibernation. The days are shorter, the air is colder, and time indoors expands.

In the past, this used to terrify me-

—how would I entertain my children? Lately, though, I’ve begun to cherish this period. It’s a time to pause, be mindful of what we consume—nutritionally, financially, emotionally—and embrace a slower pace. It’s an opportunity for self-renewal.

What Is Self-Renewal?

Self-renewal is a regenerative process, akin to how our cells replenish themselves. On a personal level, it’s about recalibrating, especially after a crisis or challenging season. One writer describes self-renewal as the process of “bringing ourselves more in line with our life purpose and values.” That sounds lovely, doesn’t it? When our actions align with our values, we strengthen our sense of self and connect with our wiser instincts.

The problem? Adding pressure to this process often leads to rigid goal-setting, which can pull us out of the present moment.

So how do we self-renew without leaning on traditional goals?

How I Practice Self-Renewal

Instead of rigid resolutions, I focus on intuitive practices that align with the natural rhythm of this season. Here are three ways I weave renewal into my life:

1. Slowing Down

As Jim Loehr writes in The Power of Full Engagement, “Managing energy is as important as managing time.” Slowing down gives me space to reflect:

• When do I feel most energized? What am I doing in those moments?

• When do I feel most connected to myself? What does that look like?

For me, these moments often involve walking.

There’s something grounding about watching tree branches sway against a cool blue sky. It’s also about savoring the exceptions to stress: those fleeting moments when my children laugh together instead of bickering.

2. Reprioritizing

My ADHD often feels like an unruly companion—projects scattered in every room, twenty browser tabs open at once. It’s easy to lose sight of priorities, leading to resentment and drained energy. To counteract this, I lean on simple habits:

• Sticky notes: Pink-lined Post-it notes bring me clarity and comfort. What works for you might look completely different—the key is finding your thing.

• Sunday planning: I plan meals at the start of the week. Without this, I’m more likely to snack aimlessly or make impulsive choices.

3. Getting Out of My Head

• Being outside: Nature is my active meditation. Walking helps me organize my thoughts, or sometimes, just escape them altogether.

• Reading: I find solace in books. Losing myself in a plot provides a welcome break from repetitive internal dialogues.

This Is Not Advice

Seriously, this is not advice. It’s not meant to be your system or your renewal. It’s mine. I’ve curated it over time, stumbling through bad habits, reinventing myself, and rediscovering energy through practice.

January can be an invitation—not to set goals, but to reflect, hibernate, and take inventory of what truly matters. Maybe that looks like a structured reset for you, or maybe it’s as simple as giving yourself permission to lounge on the couch without guilt. Renewal doesn’t demand perfection; it simply asks us to show up, present and open to what we need most.