Last week of the year.
This space between Christmas and New Year’s Eve is one of the most sensitive times for most people.
We can’t help but reflect on the year—what got done, what didn’t, and which promises will quietly sneak into next year because, let’s be honest, there’s no way in hell we’re pulling them off in the next couple of days.
I have one of those. It’s called my Online Program.
Sometime in late October, I stopped even pretending. I realized—with everything on my plate—I couldn’t do it in a way that felt right. So I let it go. I wasn’t going to do it just for the sake of doing it.
But then there are the sneakier promises.
The ones we make silently.
Like: I’ll do yoga every day. I’ll walk outside no matter the weather. I’ll stop eating processed foods.
How’s that working out for me?
Not so great.
The thing about promises we make to ourselves is—they’re protected. Safe from scrutiny, criticism, and accountability.
But that doesn’t mean we feel any less awful when we break them.
In fact, it hurts more.
Because a promise to ourselves carries far more weight than any made out loud.
We’re often more reliable with promises to others. Why? Because if we don’t follow through, we look bad. And humans will do just about anything to look good. (That—and belonging—are two of the strongest motivators out there.)
That’s why public promises work. Accountability works.
But the real power is in keeping our word to ourselves.
It’s not easy. But it matters.
When we relate to ourselves like our word doesn’t mean anything—like we don’t matter—it becomes so much harder to complete things.
We’re always having to overcome an already-established story: I don’t do what I say I’ll do.
So, try this.
Write out the promises you made to yourself this year.
Check off the ones you kept. Cross out the ones that no longer matter. Acknowledge the ones you didn’t follow through on—and consciously re-promise the rest.
As you do, you give yourself another chance to get it right.
Will you succeed? That’s up to you.
But at least you’ve got a real shot—way more than if you just swept it under the rug.
Because here’s the thing about what we sweep under the rug:
It’s still in the room.
We just can’t see it.
And often, we don’t even forget it’s there.
Give yourself the gift of a clean slate this holiday season.
Keep your list.
Even if you mess it up, at least you’ll know how to reset.
Wishing you a beautiful close to the year, and an honest, hopeful beginning.
Happy Holidays,
Love,
Marija
