New Year, Slow You: Why January Isn’t Always the Best Time for Resolutions (And What Is)
Ah, January — fresh starts, bright optimism, and… overwhelming pressure to fix everything all at once. It’s that time of year when gyms are packed, planners are glossy with “new year, new you,” and social feeds overflow with ambitious goals. Yet, statistically, most of these resolutions don’t last long.
Enter Quitter’s Day — an unofficial marker of this very phenomenon.
What Is Quitter’s Day — and Why Does It Happen?
Quitter’s Day falls on the second Friday of January each year, and in 2026 it lands on January 9. It has become widely recognized based on data from the fitness tracking app Strava, which found that activity levels and commitment to resolutions tend to drop sharply around this point in the month. By this time, about 80% of people who made New Year’s resolutions have already abandoned them — not out of laziness, but because momentum naturally fades when life returns to “normal.” 1
So what gives?
Why So Many Resolutions Don’t Stick
There are several psychological and practical reasons New Year’s resolutions fizzle:
Unrealistic expectations — Setting massive change goals (e.g., “completely overhaul my life”) can overwhelm the brain’s capacity to adapt. Small incremental changes are far more sustainable. 2
Lack of routine or structure — Without a plan for how exactly to make change happen, motivation runs out fast. 3
Motivation dips — It’s normal for enthusiasm to be high on January 1, only to falter as the holidays fade and daily life demands attention. 4
All-or-nothing thinking — One missed day often spirals into feelings of failure, which leads to giving up altogether. 5
Simply put, starting a huge change on January 1 is often ill-timed and under-supported — like trying to sprint before you’ve warmed up.
January Isn’t a ‘Spring’ Season of Life — It’s Winter.
Just as in nature, January is a time of rest and slowness. The earth is dormant, animals conserve energy, and even the light outside is softer and more limited. It’s no coincidence that this season feels like a slow burn in our own nervous systems and bodies.
Yet culturally we treat January like a springboard — as if turning the calendar on January 1 somehow instantly makes us ready for big leaps. In reality, the winter season is better suited to grounding, restoration, and intentional self-care.
Instead of sprinting toward a list of major goals, this is the perfect time to:
☃️ Focus on Nervous System Health and Gentle Practices
Here’s what actually aligns with how your body and mind work in winter:
Massage Therapy — Relieves deep tension, supports circulation, and soothes the nervous system.
Meditation & Breathwork — Cultivates presence and lowers stress, helping you avoid burnout.
Grounding Practices — Simple moments of connection, like mindful walks or barefoot time outside, strengthen resilience.
Light Therapy — Compensates for seasonal light deficiency and supports mood regulation.
Bowen Therapy & Craniosacral Work — Encourages gentle regulation of the body’s systems without forcing change.
Lymphatic Drainage — Aids detoxification and supports immune fortitude.
Gratitude & Journaling — Builds emotional wellness from the inside out.
These practices prepare the body, mind, and nervous system to become strong and responsive — like warming up the soil before planting seeds.
Why Wait for Spring? Because That’s When Life Really Begins Again.
In nature, the spring thaw is when plants break dormancy, animals become active, and the environment shifts into growth mode. Our bodies can follow the same rhythm. Once the season begins to shift — when light increases and our nervous systems feel safer and warmer — we can more naturally take on lasting goals that match our deeper physiology.
This isn’t about waiting to change — it’s about preparing wisely so that change, when it comes, can really take root.
So What Should You Do Right Now?
Instead of adding pressure to reinvent yourself on January 1, use this time for:
✨ Rest and recalibration
✨ Nervous system care
✨ Setting intentions — not resolutions
✨ Creating supportive habits instead of drastic overhauls
By honoring this season of stillness, you’re actually laying the groundwork for more meaningful, sustainable growth when the season shifts.
