Routines not resolutions

or, let's try this again, again, again.

Dear reader,

Happy New Year! And happy new you to those who celebrate.

My social feeds (the few I have left), Substack subscriptions, irl conversations and own mental preoccupations have been unsurprisingly overrun with one thing since the most wonderful time of the year turned into a brand new one - the intoxicating allure of a blank slate, a fresh start, ins and outs, eating twelve grapes under the table, and resolutions as far as the eye can see.

2025 is here and with it, some promises, some pressure and a lot of potential for good.

I myself began my week with an exorcism of the same old demons and usual suspects that haunt me each time I take a good long look at my life. That most trusted of combinations you may also be familiar with - a new journal (to be fair, the best one I’ve ever owned and the first I actually believe I’ll use), a vision board (I am in my manifesting era after all), and a cull of any habit, object or mindset that makes me feel crusty and cretinous.

We do this every year - us main-character-energy-seekers who romanticise life to make doing the washing up finally feel fun (hey, if it works, it works) - and I love it. That feeling like I really do have my shit together, like I could manifest any destiny I bloody well like, and I am actually living my best life because this is the only one I have and you best believe I’m gonna make the most of it.

I love it… until the resolutions and good intentions we all start out with start to slip away.

I’m just so sick and tired and bored of failing (or feeling like I’ve failed) because I can’t achieve all the goals I set myself. In my case, I choose one, hyperfocus on that until it’s done (yay!) and let all the others fall to the wayside (boo!).

But for the first time in my quarter of a century, I’ve realised it’s not about failing. It’s not about watching and reading and seeing other people living ‘their best lives’ and feeling like I’m not living mine.

Basically, this isn’t a one and done.

Be like Bridget but also don’t be like Bridget.

If we want to make more time for self care, a couple of baths and a face mask this January aren’t going to cut it. It’s going to take a full bathroom cabinet reorganise to make your skincare easier to get to and more convenient to do each day.

If we want to journal more, writing pages and pages for, like, three days then getting busy and stopping and seeing those missed dates can’t mean the end. Pick that pen back up and pick up where you left off, I beg!

Even if it sounds as cringe as a LinkedIn life coach (which after many rounds of editing I’m hoping this doesn’t), hold yourself accountable to actually doing this for reals this time and celebrate every little win you have along the way.

I’ve reorganised my cabinets. I’ve written in my journal. I’m ready. Are you?

We really do.

And I’m not pretending it won’t be hard at times. It just feels like it’s going to be more fun and freeing this way. After all, that’s what living a good and sexy life’s all about, right?

I’d love to know your resolutions routines if you feel like sharing and inspiring a gal to carry on with her own.

~ Cesca