Reframing Resolutions Through the Lens of Belief

Continuing our resolution theme this month, I honestly can’t recall a single New Year’s resolution I’ve ever made. That probably tells you all you need to know about how little they’ve mattered to me.

But that doesn’t mean I’ve never reached a point in life where I knew—deep in my bones—that something had to change. I’ve certainly had seasons where I made firm decisions, fueled by determination, to pursue healing or growth. In fact, the Oxford Dictionary defines a resolution as “a firm decision to do or not to do something; the quality of being determined.”

When I think back to my own health journey, 2017 was the turning point. I experienced the worst abdominal pain of my life—so intense that it hurt to breathe. I knew something had to give.

Instead of going straight to my doctor, though, I followed what I believed made the most sense: if my abdomen hurt, it must be related to what I was putting in it. So off I went to a nutritionist.

Long story short: we tried diets. Then testing. Modified diets. More testing. Then supplements. Nothing truly worked.

We moved to South Carolina in early 2018, and I still had most of my symptoms. I finally saw a gastroenterologist, and after more testing, his answer to my inflammation was… a pill.

That wasn’t the solution I was seeking. So I didn’t fill the prescription, and I kept searching for answers.

There were moments when I wanted to give up. Moments when I just went through the motions. Moments when I cried because I didn’t know what else to do. But underneath all of it was one strong, deep-rooted belief: there had to be a way to heal the root cause, not just mask the symptoms.

And that belief kept me going—even when the traditional routes weren’t offering solutions.

I also can’t go without mentioning that Glen was by my side the whole time—supporting every dietary experiment, every cooking shift, every “we’re trying this now” phase. A solid support system matters deeply when you’re trying to make changes. It’s even better when that person or community shares your belief in what you’re doing.

Why New Year’s Resolutions Fail

(Hint: it’s not because people don’t actually want to get better.)

If so many people set resolutions to improve their lives, why do so many fall apart? Do people just not want to change?

According to “Dr. Google,” an estimated 80–92% of resolutions fail by mid-February. There’s even a designated Quitter’s Day, which falls on the Friday two weeks after New Year’s Day.

Resolutions often crumble because of:

vague or unrealistic goals
no actionable plan
environmental triggers
overconfidence or underestimating challenges
an all-or-nothing mindset
discouragement when instant results don’t appear

But here’s the good news: there is a key factor that supports lasting change.

The number one predictor of sticking with a resolution is a strong internal motivation—your why.

If you watched last week’s TED Talk, you saw that what you believe is at the core of everything you do.

If you believe something is possible, you’ll move toward it.
If you don’t believe, you’ll talk yourself out of it before you even begin.

Your belief fuels your “why,” and your “why” fuels your consistency.

This is also where accountability can make a world of difference—someone who helps you manage expectations, build a step-by-step plan, set realistic goals, celebrate small wins, and navigate challenges with grace.

Tip: What Do You Believe?

A “Why” Exercise Inspired by Simon Sinek

Building on the “why” principle, here’s an adapted version of Simon Sinek’s exercise to help you uncover what truly matters most.

If you’re looking to make a change—health, lifestyle, spiritual, relational, or professional—try this:

Ask yourself: “Why is _________ important to me?”
Take your answer and turn it into the next question:
“Why is that important to me?”
Repeat the process—each answer becoming the next “why”—until you can’t go any deeper.

If “why” feels hard, switch to “what is important about this?”
You’ll still arrive at the same meaningful core.

According to Simon Sinek, when you reach the answer that brings tears, goosebumps, or an emotional jolt—you’ve reached your true why.

When I worked through this exercise, my why landed squarely where my values and beliefs intersect. And yes, it brought me to tears (not that that’s terribly difficult—I tear up about as much as I end up with goosebumps, but that is more often because I’m cold almost all the time!).

But truly, your “why” lives in that deep place—your conviction, your intuition, your God-given nudge. I like to call it my “God gut”—the internal sense that tells you whether something aligns with who you are and what you’re called to.

Our beliefs shape our why, and understanding that why gives us the power to use it for lasting change.

Give it a try this week and see what surfaces. If you would like to share it with me, I would love to walk alongside of you helping you hold on to your why. You can even post it in places you see daily or set a reminder on your phone.

Upcoming: Planning for Action

Next week, we’ll look at goal-setting that actually sticks—without overwhelm or perfectionism.

Connection Invitation

If your beliefs are stirring and you’re ready for change—but need an accountability partner to help you move forward with clarity and energy—let’s talk.

You can sign up for a Find Your Energy Discovery Session to chart your personalized path toward Hope & Healing for 2026.

Or, if you’re still exploring what lifestyle medicine is all about, let’s connect for a relaxed virtual coffee chat or a local coffee chat with some hot drinks to ward off goosebumps.

Quote of the Week

From Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back:
After Yoda lifts Luke’s X-wing out of the swamp, Luke breathes, “I don’t believe it.”
Yoda replies:
“That is why you fail.”

Let's believe in the future of hope and healing 2026,

Kim

Website: hopeandhealinglifestyle.com

Email: kim@hopeandhealinglifestyle.com

Kimberly Stoltzfus
Hope and Healing Lifestyle Coaching