A Balanced Approach to the New Year
Happy New Year, welcome to 2026. This is the season of resolutions, bold goal setting, and the familiar promise to reinvent yourself. A new year often arrives with a burst of motivation, determination, and optimism. It feels like a clean slate, a chance to reset and start fresh. But what if you’ve been approaching this all wrong?
Year after year, research shows that most New Year’s resolutions don’t last. Estimates suggest that only about 9–10% of people fully achieve their resolutions, while nearly 90% abandon them, often within the first month or two. The problem may not be a lack of willpower, but unrealistic expectations and all-or-nothing thinking.
A recent Pew Research Center survey highlights this pattern. About 3 in 10 Americans made at least one New Year’s resolution in 2025, with younger adults leading the way. Nearly half of adults ages 18–29 set resolutions, compared with fewer adults in older age groups. Health-related goals topped the list, followed by finances, relationships, hobbies, and career ambitions, especially among younger adults.
These findings suggest something important: people want to improve their lives, but the way you frame “change” may be setting you up for frustration rather than growth. Perhaps the new year isn’t meant for changing everything, but for reflecting more deeply and refining what already exists. Goals tend to work best when they are realistic, manageable, and within your control, not when they demand perfection or instant transformation.
Instead of dramatic overhauls, this year offers an opportunity to rethink the process entirely. Both the philosophies of Lagom and Stoicism offer a healthier approach to the new year. Rooted in balance, intention, and steady effort, Lagom, which roughly translates to “just enough,” encourages us to move away from extremes. Rather than committing to an overwhelming routine, it asks a simpler question: What is the right amount for today? Maybe that’s a 10-minute walk, one nourishing meal, or a brief mindful pause. Small, consistent steps are not only more achievable, but they are more sustainable.
Stoicism adds clarity and compassion to this mindset. By focusing on what you can control, letting go of what you cannot, and anchoring yourself in your values, Stoicism removes the pressure to be perfect. From this perspective, resolutions become daily practices rather than overwhelming expectations.
Together, Lagom and Stoicism invite you to approach the new year differently. Instead of chasing unrealistic ideals, you can focus on balanced habits, meaningful choices, and progress made one steady day at a time. Meaningful change is sustained not by intensity, but by consistent action, patience, self-compassion, and balanced effort.
As you move into the new year, perhaps the most meaningful resolution is not to become someone entirely new, but to become more intentional in how you live each day. By letting go of extremes and embracing balance, you create space for growth that is realistic and sustainable. Guided by the principles of Lagom and Stoicism, the new year becomes less about perfection and more about presence, steady effort, and self-compassion. When you focus on what you can control and commit to small, consistent choices, change no longer feels overwhelming, it becomes something you can return to one day at a time.
Tips for a Successful New Year
Focus on progress, not perfection. Aim for consistency over intensity. Small, repeatable actions are more effective than dramatic overhauls.
Set goals within your control. Concentrate on behaviors and effort (what you do daily), not outcomes you can’t fully control.
Choose “just enough.” Ask yourself what feels realistic and sustainable right now, not what sounds impressive on January 1.
Start small and build slowly. One habit, one change, one area of focus at a time helps prevent burnout and overwhelm.
Allow flexibility. Expect setbacks and adjustments. A missed day doesn’t mean failure, it’s simply part of the process.
Anchor goals to your values. Goals that reflect what truly matters to you are easier to maintain than those driven by external pressure.
Reflect regularly. Check in with yourself to adjust goals based on what’s working and what is not.
Practice self-compassion. Treat yourself with patience and understanding as you grow. Remember change is a process, not a deadline.
Here’s to rethinking resolutions and a more balanced new year!
For more inspiration regarding stoicism, please check out The Stoicism Book of Quotes.
To learn more about lagom, check out my book Swedish Lagom, your guide to living a well-balanced life, filled with happiness, joy, and positivity.
Kortney Yasenka, LCMHC, is a licensed clinical mental health counselor with over 20 years of experience providing individual, family, and group therapy, along with life coaching services, including specialized support for student athletes. She holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Health Psychology from Northeastern University and is certified in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, integrating both traditional and ecotherapy approaches into her work. Throughout her career, Kortney has worked across community mental health settings, school systems, and private practice. She also has experience supporting veterans and active military personnel. In addition to her clinical work, Kortney is a published author whose titles include The Stoicism Book of Quotes The Marcus Aurelius Book of Quotes, Stoicism Quotes for Mind and Body, and Swedish Lagom. She is also a contributing author in The Resilient Warrior.
