From Self-Criticism to Self-Compassion: A New Year’s Resolution Worth Keeping
Every January, millions of people sit down with fresh determination, setting New Year’s resolutions that promise personal growth, success, and change. Yet by February, many of those goals begin to fade—and by March, they’re often forgotten entirely. When we look back at last year’s unmet resolutions, what’s our first reaction? For many, it’s disappointment, quickly followed by harsh self-criticism. We label ourselves as failures, blame a lack of discipline, and carry that emotional weight into the new year. The truth is, self-criticism often disguises itself as motivation. We believe being hard on ourselves will push us to do better. But research shows the opposite: chronic self-criticism leads to shame, burnout, and avoidance—making it even harder to change. This year, what if we tried a different approach? What if our most important resolution wasn’t about stricter rules or harsher self-talk, but about practicing self-compassion? What Is Self-Compassion? (And Why It Matters) Ac...