Keeping your New Year’s resolutions

Why New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be ‘make, then break’

The start of any new year is always a positive time, with possibilities, potential, and promise in the air. Even if you didn’t have a great 2025, the moment marks fresh starts, new plans, and a chance to embrace change.

Traditionally, we make our New Year’s resolutions to motivate us to seize the moment. But no matter how committed we feel at the beginning, more than 80% of us will fall by the wayside and abandon our resolutions by the end of January.

Yet, goals are good for us. They promote a sense of purpose, and can spark positive change, so why do we find them so hard to stick to?

Maybe we’re coming at New Year’s resolutions from the wrong direction.

Out with New Year’s resolutions! In with New Year promises

According to the charity Mental Health UK, the word ‘resolution’ itself may be tripping us up. A resolution sounds like you’re about to make sweeping, all-or-nothing changes that set you up for falling short or failing in your goal (and then feeling guilty about it).

But a resolution isn’t about setting yourself a huge target. It’s about creating a habit that puts yourself first. And habits can take as long as ten weeks to form.

Our brand ambassador Louise shared this inspired suggestion: “When I make resolutions, I think of them as intentions, which takes the pressure off. And I find making them realistic helps me too. Like this: “This year, I intend to come off all my electronics at 9pm” and “I intend to be consistent with my cleaning schedule to stay on top of the housework.”

Call them plans, hopes, promises, good intentions or even mantras to live by. They all come down to the same thing – a motivational promise to yourself that feels good, is achievable and will make you happier.

Break your goal down into bitesize pieces

Setting yourself a big, audacious goal can also pave the way for your ‘inner critic’ to start whispering doubts in your ear. You’ll feel much more in control – and less likely to give up – if you break down your resolution into much smaller, short term goals. Go for little wins, achievable goals and short timescales. And remember, no resolution is too small. Small wins add up to big prizes.

“I’ve learned that it’s not enough for me to just make my goals realistic,” says our brand ambassador, Lois. “I need to break those long-term goals into smaller, regular ones, otherwise it’s easy for me to lose sight of the bigger picture. My 2026 planner has a quarterly layout at the beginning, and I’ll be using that to create smaller goals that I can achieve in three months.”

Our ambassador Peach agrees. “To make sure I don’t break my New Year’s resolutions, I try to create smaller targets to work towards the bigger resolution!” Peach also says she rewards herself every time she makes progress. Making sure you reward yourself for achievements is a resolution in itself!

Know when the time is right for you

Never feel pressured into making resolutions simply because of a date on the calendar. Positive change happens when you’re ready, and no one else.  And that could be any day of the year. So, if you’re not ready or motivated to set a goal, wait until you are. You’ll be far more likely to succeed.

Get someone on your side

Sticking to a resolution can feel like a lonely road – so buddy up. Best friends, siblings and kids can be enthusiastic cheerleaders and champions. A ‘resolutions buddy’ keeps you focused and accountable, plus does wonders for your sticking power when you don’t quite make your target one week.

Let’s get started

As a creative community of list lovers and forward planners, we’re often energetic, enthusiastic goal setters and love to record our progress. In fact, one of the best things about New Year for ambassador Alex, “is the chance to choose a new journal! Why not dedicate one to goals and plans for your year ahead? By writing them down they should be easier to remember and keep consistent with!”

Pick a quiet time in the Twixtmas lull and reflect on what you really want to achieve this year. Then, open the first page of your new journal, pick your favourite Sarasa Clip (goal setting deserves a top-ranking gel pen), and start making yourself promises.

Our Zebra New Year’s resolutions

And before we go, what about our own resolutions here at Zebra Pen UK?  While we can’t give too much away at the moment, we can promise that there’s an absolutely bumper year on the horizon, full to the brim of brand new colours, limited edition packs and pens to empower your wellbeing through the creative arts. 

It’s going to be a big year for us, and an amazing year for you. That’s a promise.