Why January is the Worst Time for New Year’s Resolutions (And What to Do Instead)

As a wellness and mindset coach—and more importantly, as a mum to a toddler—I’m going

to say something a bit controversial: January is a rubbish time for mums of young children to set

big goals.

Everywhere we look, we’re bombarded with the "New Year, New Me" rhetoric. We’re told to

overhaul our fitness, our diets, and our productivity. But if you have a newborn, a baby, or a

toddler, you already have enough to deal with. Most of us aren’t getting enough sleep, and

trying to force big changes on top of that just adds a layer of pressure we simply don't need.

Give Yourself Permission to Opt-Out

First and foremost, I want to give you permission to ignore the noise. It is okay to just be

where you are. Particularly with fitness, the pressure to "get back in shape" early postpartum

can be physically and mentally inappropriate.

Even if you’re further down the line, finding "capacity" is hard. My son is 15 months old, and

it has taken me until now to find the space in our schedule to get back to the gym or the pool

a few times a week. It wasn’t about a lack of will; it was about a lack of time and space.

Comparison is the Thief of Joy

It is so easy to scroll through social media and feel like you aren’t doing enough. You see a

mum with a bigger house, a fancier car, or someone who seems to have "bounced back"

instantly. But comparison is the thief of joy.

If you dig deeper, you might find you don’t actually want the trade-offs they’ve

made—perhaps they work long hours and miss out on time with their little ones. Focus on

what works for your family and your values, not what looks good on a grid.

Realistic Intentions for 2026

If your only goal this year is to focus on being a mum, that is more than enough. That is huge

in itself. However, if you do want to set intentions, let’s make them realistic. Here is what

"self-care" actually looks like for me this year:

● Saying "no" more often: If it doesn’t work for me or the baby, it’s a no.

● Asking for help early: Getting support before I hit the point of burnout.

● Redefining self-care: as a toddler mum that doesn't look like yoga retreats. Sometimes it’s just five minutes

of deep breathing in a hot shower.

● Lowering expectations: When my son was a newborn, my daily goal was just to

have a hot shower and a walk. That was it. I’m trying to get back to that level of grace

for myself.

● Finding Connection: Prioritising date nights with my husband so we can talk about

something other than the schedule and the washing.

You are Enough

Your baby only has one mum, and looking after you is a vital part of looking after them. If the

house is a bit messy or the washing takes an extra day because you chose to rest or move

your body in a way that feels good—who cares?.

Let go of the "shoulds" this January. Focus on your values, shut out the noise, and

remember: you are already doing a brilliant job.