At the end/beginning of every year comes the time for New Year Resolutions. Gyms report a sudden increase in attendance. Thrift stores note an increase in donations. Volunteers are in abundance. And everywhere you see photos and text posts with the hashtag #newyearnewme. But how many of these resolutions stick?

I’m no stranger to the tradition. Just the other day I found an old note on Facebook that I wrote back in 2010. The list is full of gems like “make good choices”, “be less lazy”, and “prioritize”. Thanks for keeping it real, 2010 me… The year after wasn’t much better. “Be healthy”. “Be happy”. “Be patient”. I’m not saying that these aren’t good traits to have, or to aspire too. I’m saying there’s something crucial missing in all of them, which is coincidentally the same reason they inevitable fail. The “how”. The “why”. If you don’t know how to achieve your goals, you won’t get very far. And if you don’t know why, then there’s little point in seeing them through. Not to mention the fact that I would make drastic goals for myself, as if simply saying the words out loud would magically make them come true.

So this year I’m doing something a little different. I’m not setting any concrete goals. Instead, I’m aiming for small changes. Instead of “Don’t drink soda” this year, I’m going with “Drink at least a little water every day, and on some days, try to drink only water.” I picked out my favorite water cups for work and for home. I track my progress with a habit tracker in a notebook. I realize that my teeth feel better when I drink less sugary drinks.

Realistic changes. Figuring out the how. Discovering the why.

With the arrival of the New Year, I’m still the same person. But maybe, with just a little effort, I can be a slightly better me.