Letter from the Editor: Making resolutions that actually stick

Every year, I tell myself I’m going to “get better” at something – read more, walk more, eat better – and every year, by mid-February, those grand plans usually fizzle. But last year felt different. I set two resolutions that actually stuck: walking more and reading more. And yes, I did them at the same time.

I bought a treadmill desk and turned it into my daily walking pad. Fifteen minutes at first, then 20, sometimes 30 – just long enough to get moving without feeling like a chore. And because I’m addicted to stories, I started reading while I walked. Suddenly, my exercise wasn’t just something I had to do; it became something I wanted to do. A little trick like that made all the difference.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that resolutions aren’t about willpower. They’re about making them fit your life in a way that’s actually enjoyable. Because if it feels impossible, it’s easy to quit, and burnout sneaks up on all of us. 

Want to eat healthier? Don’t ban all your favorite foods; just start adding one fruit or veggie a day. Want to save money? Skip the vague “I’ll save more” and set aside a specific, realistic amount every week. Want to read more? Pick books you actually can’t put down. Tiny adjustments, not big leaps, are what make change last.

Another secret: stop treating resolutions like a race. I remind myself every day, “If I don’t do it perfectly, it’s fine; just keep going tomorrow.” Skipping a day isn’t failing; it’s normal. Consistency, not perfection, is the real goal.

Whether your goal is big or small, pick something that excites you, figure out a way to make it fit your life, and celebrate the little wins. For me, reading while walking started as a tiny experiment, but now it’s part of my daily rhythm, and now I can’t stop counting my steps and logging my completed books on Goodreads! If you ask me, that’s proof that resolutions can work if you bend them to your life, not the other way around.