Happy New Year, dear readers! 🥂 I hope your holiday season was filled with joy, love, and plenty of rest. As we turn the page to a brand new year, I wish you a happy, healthy, and peaceful 2025. Today, let’s talk about something that hits close to home for many of us—New Year’s resolutions, the growing trend of dissolutions, and why choosing a Word of the Year might be the most empowering decision you make.

The Pressure of Resolutions: Why They Set Us Up for Failure

Every year, millions of people set New Year’s resolutions with the best of intentions. Lose weight, exercise more, save money—these goals sound great, right? Yet, according to a study by the University of Scranton, only 8% of people actually achieve their resolutions by the end of the year. For women in midlife, the added pressures of work, family, and life transitions can make keeping these rigid promises even harder.

Instead of feeling motivated, many end up feeling like failures by February when life’s curveballs get in the way. Does this sound familiar?

The Rise of Dissolutions: Letting Go of Unrealistic Expectations

In recent years, there’s been a shift toward “dissolutions”—the intentional act of letting go of habits, expectations, or even relationships that no longer serve us. Dissolutions are about clearing the clutter in our lives, not adding more to our already full plates. For women in their 40s and 50s, dissolutions resonate because they represent a freeing, self-compassionate way to start fresh.

But what if there’s an even better way to embrace new beginnings? Enter the Word of the Year.

Why a Word of the Year Is a Game-Changer for Midlife Women

Unlike rigid resolutions, a Word of the Year offers guidance without the guilt. It’s a flexible, empowering choice that serves as a gentle reminder of what you want to focus on throughout the year. Whether it’s “Balance,” “Courage,” or “Joy,” your word becomes a mantra that guides your decisions, actions, and mindset.

Research shows that setting intentions rather than goals can lead to greater satisfaction and a higher sense of well-being. A 2023 study in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that people who set intentions were 60% more likely to feel successful and fulfilled by year’s end compared to those who set traditional goals.

For midlife women navigating the complexities of this stage, a Word of the Year offers room to adapt, grow, and thrive without the heavy burden of perfectionism.

How to Choose Your Word of the Year

  1. Reflect on the Past Year: What did you learn about yourself? What were your biggest challenges and triumphs?
  2. Identify Your Needs: Do you need more peace, more action, or more self-love this year? Let your word reflect that.
  3. Keep It Simple: Don’t overthink it. Your word should feel right in your gut—trust that instinct!
  4. Use It Daily: Write it down, set it as your phone wallpaper, or create a vision board. Keep your word front and center to remind you of your focus.

The Power of Choosing Intentionally

Choosing a Word of the Year isn’t about getting it perfect; it’s about setting an intention that feels aligned with where you are and where you want to go. It’s a gentle nudge, a guiding light, and a source of inspiration that stays with you all year long.

Call to Action: Share Your New Beginnings

Have you made any New Year’s resolutions or dissolutions, or are you embracing the Word of the Year? Do you feel resolutions set you up for success or failure? Share your thoughts in the comments below—I’d love to hear about your journey!

References:

  1. University of Scranton. (2020). Statistics on New Year’s Resolutions.
  2. Journal of Positive Psychology. (2023). The Benefits of Intentional Living vs. Goal Setting.

Wishing you all the best on your journey to a brighter, more intentional new year!