"New year, new me" is a sentiment many of us recognize. It is often spoken with optimism, believed briefly and then followed by abandoned resolutions and disappointment. While this cycle can feel like harmless tradition, repeated failed attempts at change can quietly erode our confidence and belief in ourselves. As a psychologist, I am not immune to the appeal of New Year reflections. I value these moments of pause and intention-setting. But through both my professional work and personal experience, I have learned that lasting change rarely comes from aiming too high or demanding perfection. When we repeatedly fall short of unrealistic goals, we risk reinforcing negative beliefs about our ability to change at all. With that in mind, there are a few principles that can help protect against this cycle and support more sustainable change. Find the why We often focus on what we want to change and how we will do it, but sustainable change is grounded in understanding why it matters. When intentions are linked to our values and deeper needs, they feel more authentic and easier to maintain ove