Tak’ a cup o’ kindness (the stages of behaviour change)

So we turn the page of another year, and move forward, bravely towards our bright future of shining potential. So many traditions, reflections and remembrances of the year gone by and for some, resolutions towards a better self, just a little more polished, a little more intentional.

Then we hit February, back to work, kids back to school, the grind once again in full swing. Why do those resolutions so rarely stick? Betterment should not be a lofty goal. Eating more veggies, exercising, drinking less and spending more time with loved ones should be a given, but the upending chaos of living and demands placed on our time all have different ideas.

What if we don’t have only one shot per year to make small changes? What if opportunity arises in every moment? What if relapse into old habits is not a failure but a natural part of the process?

In psychology, behaviour change is described in stages, and relapse is one of the stages. That’s right, you’re expected to slide back sometimes, to make mistakes again. But the good news? It gets easier with every cycle before you hit the off-ramp of sustained change and better-you-ness… The goal isn’t perfection, self-punishment or discouragement, it’s persistence.

Drop one bad habit per year and pick up a good one. Project You is a long-term endeavour, and the steps you take now will compound over time.

Happy 2026, and be kind to yourself along the way.