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The Two Words You Should Avoid When Making New Year’s Resolutions
Let’s talk resolutions. We make them, we break them, and then we pretend we never made them in the first place. It’s practically a holiday tradition.
But here’s something interesting. Psychologist Kimberly Wilson says the problem might not be your willpower. It might be your wording.
The Trouble With Absolutes
Two little words can quietly sabotage your goals: always and never. They sound strong and confident, but they create an all or nothing mindset. And once you slip even a little, it feels like you’ve failed completely.
If you’ve ever said “I’ll never eat sugar again” while holding a cupcake, you know exactly how this goes.
Try Softer Language
Instead of boxing yourself in, Wilson suggests using flexible phrases like:
- “I want to experiment with…”
- “I want to create more space for…”
- “I’m learning what works for me when…”
These phrases give you room to grow. They let you adjust without feeling like you blew the whole year because of one off day.
Why It Works
When your goals feel kinder and more realistic, you’re more likely to stick with them. You’re also more likely to celebrate progress instead of obsessing over perfection.
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