Ditch the Pressure: Hacks for a Happier 2025

woman stretching her arms to the sky

In the quest for a happier 2025, it's essential to ditch the pressure associated with New Year's resolutions. As we stand on the threshold of a new year, we are once again given the unique opportunity to reflect, renew energies, and adopt practices that promote mental and emotional well-being.

While the start of a new year is filled with possibilities, the pressure to transform into “better” versions of ourselves can feel overwhelming.


Data reveals that a substantial percentage of the population faces obstacles in their attempts to fulfill New Year's resolutions. The pressure to meet high expectations and unrealistic goals can frustrate success rather than propel it forward.

Some reasons include adopting extreme all-or-nothing behavior, lack of accountability, and setting immeasurable goals. Tackling these challenges involves cultivating a compassionate introspection within ourselves.

Questions like: What moments brought me happiness last year? Or, how can I cultivate my emotional well-being this year? These types of questions can guide this introspection and also remind you that a new year doesn’t necessarily have to mean a new you. You could find that you’re perfectly happy with the 2024 version of you, and one arbitrary date change doesn’t mean anything has to fundamentally change.

But for many others, this largely symbolic date change often serves as an opportunity to revisit this introspection and take action if and when you feel it’ll best serve you.

If you’re someone who feels like the start of the new year can kick-start some new habits, use the tips below to help guide your New Year’s resolutions.

But also remember that change can happen any day - not just on the eve of the new year:

Mindful Progress:

Pile of rocks near the lake

Make it a priority to anticipate challenges and recognize the gradual process of progress. Set realistic goals that are on your timeline and no one else’s. Setting unrealistic goals is a sure-fire way to set yourself up for inevitable failure. The key here is to be proactively mindful that progress is progress, whether fast or slow.

Proactive Approach:

woman doing yoga pose outdoors

Being proactive is an extension of being mindful. Staying intentional and embracing flexibility in your schedule will help you avoid comparing yourself to others. Set small, gradual goals to maintain a proactive and productive approach to the process. Doing this will help you avoid placing unnecessary and unrealistic expectations on yourself. We have enough to deal with when others place unreasonable expectations on us - there’s no reason to do it to yourself, too.

Progress Support:

female friends hugging and laughing near the seashore

Change is a gradual process that can become discouraging when it feels like we’re not moving forward. During times like these, it’s helpful to have someone who can add some additional encouragement and accountability. Consider recruiting a support partner who can add these elements when the inevitable challenging moments arise.

Journaling your emotions regarding progress, goals, and challenges can also offer valuable insights.

Self-Kindness Reset:

woman sitting on a stone facing the sea

Be kind to yourself, stay flexible, and find joy in activities. If you miss your goals this month, take a quick breather and approach them with a fresh set of eyes next time. Redirect the focus from goals affecting your mental well-being to activities bringing genuine happiness.

As we enter the new year, mental health is a necessary element of our journey towards well-being. Whether you’re looking to start new habits, get rid of old ones, or continue on as-is, each step in self-care guides us toward a more balanced and resilient self.

a photo of a young sylvia mendez and a sign that says we serve whites only no spanish or mexicans

This article is part of a series developed in partnership with Project Pulso.

When the tale of American civil rights unfolds, towering giants like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. often take center stage. While their stories are indeed awe-inspiring and rightfully belong center-stage, it's also vital to highlight the untold tales of heroism within the Latine community, and one such unsung heroine is Sylvia Mendez, whose journey paved the way for dismantling school segregation long before the renowned Brown v. Board of Education case.

Keep ReadingShow less
Abstract design of a woman's face separated from her body, showing inner details.
Luz Media

Ah, the dreaded imposter syndrome. While it isn’t considered a mental health disease or disorder, it's a common experience that can affect people from all backgrounds, professions, and levels of achievement.

Keep ReadingShow less
huge puerto rico flag hanging over narrow street in puerto rico

Every March 22, Puerto Rico commemorates Emancipation Day, a historical milestone that marks the abolition of slavery on the island. Meanwhile, the topic of statehood continues to be rooted in a desire to separate the country from its colonial past and achieve self-determination. As the island navigates its future, its fight for statehood is inextricably connected to this moment in Puerto Rican history.

Keep ReadingShow less