When the Same Old Doesn’t Work Anymore: How to Step Into the New Year with Intention

Every year around this time, something collective starts to happen. The holidays approach, the year winds down, and suddenly we all start taking inventory of our lives. It could look like something like this: “My job still isn’t what I want.”

“How am I still feeling stuck?”

“This year wasn’t any different.” What tends to show up next is that well-worn inner voice insisting we’re somehow behind.Then comes the pressure, sometimes subtle, sometimes loud, that when the calendar resets, we should reset too.Time for a fresh start.Time to reinvent yourself.Time to fix everything that isn’t working.

And of course… the classic question rolls around: "what's your new years resolution?"

Some people love resolutions. Some people roll their eyes at them. Others feel pressured to declare something bold like “This year I HAVE to lose 20 pounds,” or “I HAVE to meet someone,” or “I HAVE to finally change jobs.” It’s a very human instinct, we try to push ourselves forward with demands.

But here’s something I’ve learned, both from my own experience and through years of coaching: demands don’t create movement. They create attachment.

And attachment to a specific outcome almost always leads to disappointment.

Demands → Attachment → Disappointment

Think about it. When you tell yourself:

• “I have to lose weight.”

• “I must find a partner.”

• “I need a new job by spring.”

…the mind instantly latches onto the outcome. Success or failure becomes defined by hitting that target. And when life doesn’t align with your timeline, that familiar inner critic shows up:

“See? I knew it.”“Why do I even try?”“Nothing ever changes for me.”

It’s exhausting, and it keeps us stuck.

Instead of pushing yourself with demands, try setting an intention this year. Intentions Feel Different

Intentions don’t force.Intentions don’t shame.Intentions don’t assume you need to become someone else instantly.

Intentions invite.

An intention sounds like:

• “I want to be more present.”

• “I want to feel more grounded in my day-to-day.”

• “I want to be open to opportunities for connection.”

• “I want to explore work that aligns with me.”

And here’s the empowering part: you turn your attention to the things you can control.

For example:

• “To be more present, I’ll slow down in the mornings instead of going straight to my phone.”

• “To explore new career paths, I’ll have one conversation each month with someone doing work I admire.”

• “To feel more connected, I’ll carve out time weekly for people and activities that matter to me.”

Notice the difference?

You’re not demanding the universe deliver something on your timeline. You’re creating the conditions for meaningful change.

You’re releasing the grip on what you can’t control and reclaiming agency over what you can. This Is What I See in Coaching All the Time

Clients often come to me frustrated because their lives aren’t shifting fast enough. They’re smart, driven, thoughtful, but stuck in cycles of pressure and self-doubt.

The moment we switch from outcome demands to intentional direction, everything changes.

There’s more space. More clarity.More compassion.More curiosity.

And from that open place… movement becomes possible. Not because they forced it, but because they aligned with it.

If You Want Support Shaping Your Intention for 2026

One of the things I love most about coaching is helping people get clear on who they want to be, and figuring out a plan that actually supports that.

If you’re ready to step into 2026 feeling intentional instead of pressured, I’d love to work with you. Together, we can shape a vision that feels good in your life, and map out the small, meaningful steps that actually make it happen.