It’s very easy to get caught up in the New Year, New Me frenzy. As 2025 begins, we encourage our readers to rest, reset and if needed, set healthy and achievable goals. The Modern Muse Magazine chatted to Lisa Infante: Mindset Therapist, Hypnotherapist and Accountability Coach, and founder of Courage to Change Collective. Infante helps women who feel stuck in life – held back by self-doubt and unclear on how to move forward, tap into their courage to change. Through practical strategies and proven mindset techniques, Infante helps you take back control, break free from self-sabotaging patterns and behaviours, and find clarity towards lasting change and a purposeful life.
What’s the first step towards resetting for the New Year?
The first step is reflection. You can’t create meaningful change without understanding where you’ve been, what’s working, and what’s not. It’s easy to jump into a New Year with a list of goals, but without clarity, those goals will likely fizzle out fast. Start by asking yourself some key questions:
- What’s draining my energy?
- What feels aligned and fulfilling?
- What patterns or habits am I carrying that aren’t serving me anymore?
Reflection isn’t about beating yourself up; it’s about gaining insight into where you are so you can make intentional changes.
How can one set purposeful goals going into the New Year?
Purposeful goals aren’t about ticking boxes or meeting external expectations – they’re about following through. Resolutions often fail because they rely on the excitement of the moment rather than a structured plan. To set goals that actually work, start with your why. Instead of vague ideas like “get fit” or “be happier”, ask yourself: What do I want to feel? How will achieving this goal improve my life?
This is why SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) are so effective.
Even with clarity, action is what makes it all happen. Break your goal into manageable steps. For example, instead of “run a marathon”, start with “run for 20 minutes twice a week”. Purposeful goals, combined with consistent effort and realistic planning, turn resolutions from fleeting wishes into lasting change.
With the annual New Year, New Me ravings taking over social media, how can we work towards positive change while still staying true to ourselves?
The “New Year, New Me” frenzy sets people up for failure by promoting the idea that all you need is a resolution to create change. Positive change doesn’t happen just because you want it – it happens because you work for it. Resolutions often fail because they focus on the outcome without a plan for the process.
Motivation is fleeting, so the key to lasting positive change is having a plan that keeps you moving forward even on the days you don’t feel like it. Concentrate on small, consistent actions that align with your values and long-term goals. It’s the daily effort – not the initial excitement of a resolution – that leads to transformation. Ask yourself: What step/s can I take today to move closer to my goal? Positive change isn’t about becoming someone new; it’s about aligning with the best version of who you already are and putting that into action, day by day.
How do we identify if we actually need to incorporate changes into our lives?
The need for change often shows up as a feeling of being stuck, drained, or out of alignment with what truly matters to you. It’s not about fixing yourself – it’s about recognising when your habits, routines, or commitments are no longer serving your growth. Reflect on questions like:
- Am I satisfied with how I’m spending my time?
- Are my actions supporting where I want to be in the future?
If the answer is yes, then great – keep going! You might even consider setting new goals or making slight adjustments to enhance the things that are already working well. But if the answer is no, pay attention to where you feel resistance or frustration in your daily life; these are often clues that something needs to shift. Change doesn’t have to be dramatic – it can be as simple as releasing what no longer fits to create space for what does.
What are your tips towards achieving any goals we set?
Achieving goals is about creating momentum through clear, actionable steps and maintaining that progress with consistency. Think about what you can do today to move closer to your goal – small, tangible steps are key to building confidence and staying on track. Clarity is essential through setting realistic tasks that create measurable progress; it turns intentions into actions.
It’s equally important to stay flexible. Life doesn’t always go according to plan, and fixed expectations will only demotivate you. Missing a step or falling behind isn’t failure – it’s an opportunity to reassess, adjust, and keep going.
Finally, embrace accountability. Share your goals with someone who supports and encourages you, whether it’s a friend, coach, or community. Having someone in your corner can make all the difference, especially on the days when it feels hard to keep going.
Are women generally more pressured to set New Year goals as compared to men? If so, how do we break this stigma?
Absolutely. Women often feel an added layer of societal pressure to “do it all” and excel in every role – whether it’s being a great mum, a thriving professional or keeping it all together at home. This expectation can turn New Year goals into a way of proving worth rather than an empowering tool for personal growth.
To break this stigma, we need to shift the narrative. Goal setting shouldn’t be about living up to others’ expectations but about what you genuinely want. It’s also important to normalise that not every season of your life calls for massive goals. By shifting the focus from perfection to progress and rejecting the idea that success needs to look a certain way, we create a healthier, more sustainable relationship with goal setting.
What’s your advice on staying motivated throughout the year on self-care and betterment?
Motivation isn’t magic – it’s created by showing up and taking action, especially when it feels hard. Keep your goals visible – whether it’s a post-it on your mirror, a habit tracker, or reminders on your phone. Seeing your progress is a great way to keep your goal front of mind and stay connected to why you started in the first place. And don’t overthink self-care. Some days it might be smashing a workout, and other days it’s just sitting quietly with a coffee and breathing. Both counts, because both are about putting yourself first.
When you approach the New Year with curiosity and compassion, self-care becomes less of a chore and more of a way to stay grounded and purposeful in your life.
Learn more about Lisa’s work or access her resources and services here.
Read more interviews from experts and inspiring people here.
