You Haven’t Failed: Why It’s Okay to Start Small This Year
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As soon as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, it can feel like we’re expected to have it all figured out, big plans, ambitious goals, and a perfectly mapped-out year ahead.
But if that hasn’t happened for you, I want to reassure you, you haven’t failed.
Maybe you’re looking around, feeling like you’re the only one without a vision board or a fresh set of goals. Trust me, you’re not alone. And more importantly, it’s okay.
In fact, for many of us, January isn’t the season for big, sweeping changes. It’s a time to recover from the whirlwind of the holidays, to ease back into the routines that make us feel good, and to find our footing again.
My Own Experience with “Starting Late”
A few years ago, I felt this exact pressure. I remember sitting down on January 1st with my notebook, trying to force myself to write out goals for the year ahead. But I was exhausted. The holiday chaos had left me drained, and I was still trying to figure out how to get back to my regular habits, let alone plan a whole new year of achievements.
It wasn’t until spring that year—when the days got longer and the air felt lighter—that I finally felt inspired to set meaningful goals. That’s when I realised something important, goal-setting doesn’t have to happen on a deadline.
January can be about reconnecting with yourself, rebuilding habits, and laying a solid foundation. And when the time feels right—whether it’s in February, March, or even May—you can set goals that feel aligned and energising.
Focus on Consistency, Not Perfection
If the thought of planning the whole year feels overwhelming, shift your focus. Instead of trying to do it all, think about how you can bring more consistency into your day-to-day life.
Reconnect with movement: Start small. Take a 10-minute walk, do a few stretches, or try one “movement snack” each day, like a set of squats while the kettle boils. It’s not about doing it all at once; it’s about starting where you are.
Ease back into habits: Think about the routines that made you feel good before the holiday chaos. Maybe it was drinking enough water, prepping your meals, or journaling in the mornings. Start by reintroducing one habit at a time.
Celebrate the small wins: Did you move your body today? Did you get a little more sleep last night? Did you say “no” to something that didn’t serve you? Those are all wins worth celebrating.
Permission to Take Your Time
Spring has a natural energy of renewal and growth. The world is waking up, and that energy can be contagious. If January doesn’t feel like the right time for you to dive into planning, use this time to reconnect with yourself and your routines. When spring rolls around, you might find that inspiration comes more naturally.
It’s important to remember that there’s no “right” time to start. You don’t have to have your entire year planned out by January 1st—or even January 31st.
Your timeline is yours, and it’s perfectly valid.
Action Steps You Can Take Today
Pick one small habit to focus on: Maybe it’s 5 minutes of movement, drinking a glass of water before your coffee, or taking a moment to stretch when you wake up.
Write down one thing you’re grateful for: Reflecting on something positive can shift your mindset and make you feel more grounded.
Remind yourself: It’s okay to go at your own pace: Write it down, say it out loud, or save this blog post to read again when you need it.
To stay on track and monitor your progress, I've created a Fitness Habit Tracker specifically for busy women like you.
This tracker will help you:
Build awareness around your habits
Identify patterns
Make adjustments as needed
It's available for download on my website lisadawnbeckwith.com/tracker
Use this tool to stay accountable, celebrate your wins, and prioritise your health and well-being.
Final Thoughts
⭐ You haven’t failed. You’re not behind. You’re simply working on your own timeline, and that’s exactly where you need to be.
⭐ Use the beginning of the year to rebuild, to reconnect, and to remind yourself that there’s no rush.
⭐ Goals, growth, and new beginnings don’t have an expiration date.
When you’re ready, you’ll take the next step—and I’ll be here cheering you on.
If you want some help to create and achieve your fitness goals without the overwhelm—because I believe moving should feel good, let’s chat about how we can work together.
Head to my work with me page and let’s start the conversation.
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