Why New Year’s Resolutions Fail

Discover A Higher Power Within

Every year, millions of people make New Year’s resolutions, determined to kick their unhealthy habits and addictions. Whether it’s quitting smoking, vaping, alcohol, drugs, or compulsive shopping, or cutting back on overeating, many are driven by a deep-seated desire to feel better about themselves and their lives. Tragically, the vast majority of these resolutions are doomed to fail within days or weeks, leaving the erstwhile dieter, quitter or reformed shopper feeling defeated and demoralised.

The reason why resolutions so frequently fizzle out is because they attack the problem from the wrong end. Most addictions are attempts to cope with negative emotions like anxiety, depression, anger and a gnawing sense of emptiness. By quitting drinking, shopping or overeating without getting to the root causes, the addict is left with a gaping void that can only be filled by another unhealthy habit, or by returning to the original vice.

The key to success is to address the root of the problem, which lies within the self. This requires a deep and honest exploration of one’s thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. It requires a willingness to let go of past hurts and to cultivate a sense of self-compassion. And it requires a commitment to creating a meaningful and fulfilling relationship with the Divine.

This crippling sense of inner emptiness is remarkably common. It drives people to seek comfort in external things – alcohol, food, retail therapy, the latest fad or pill. In reality, this void can only be filled by a genuine spiritual connection. No amount of substances or ‘things’ will ever make you feel truly whole and complete. Only by forging a meaningful inner relationship with a higher power can you find the peace and fulfilment you crave.

Many turn to religion, only to be bitterly disappointed. Institutions riddled with hypocrisy and dogma can’t deliver on their promises. The rules are often arbitrary and joyless. What’s more, many religious teachings can be proven to be inaccurate, or completely wrong. Questioning the tenets or the behaviour of those in power tends to be discouraged. When the facade crumbles, as it inevitably does for many seekers, the resulting disillusionment can be devastating.

The truth is that a deep, real connection with the Divine can only be found inside yourself. A true relationship with the Divine can only be discovered inside, in the heart, in one’s soul. It is a personal and intimate connection that cannot be dictated by external authorities. This connection provides the deepest sense of fulfilment and peace, and it is the only thing that can truly fill the void.

In your heart, in your soul, there is a yearning to be loved, accepted, and to love in return. This is the void that the addict is trying to fill with their addictions. True healing involves facing this ache head-on and seeking a higher purpose and meaning, not a quick fix or empty ritual. It requires effort, honesty and an open mind to uncover what’s been there all along, waiting to be discovered.

When navigating the journey of self-improvement, it’s essential to recognise the limitations of resolutions that focus solely on behaviour change. Instead of fixating on the act of quitting an addiction, you must address the root emotional and spiritual need that fuels the behaviour. By cultivating a meaningful relationship with the Divine, you can find the lasting fulfilment that evades you through temporary fixes.

So this year, don’t waste your time with another doomed resolution. Resolve instead to look within for the answers you’ve been seeking without. Dare to be different and build a real, living relationship with your inner self and the Divine, that can be found deep with in your heart. With patience, persistence and a willingness to learn, you can fill that unshakeable emptiness that may have driven you to addictions. When you connect with the Divine inside you, not only will the need to self-medicate melt away, but you’ll find a joy, vitality and sense of purpose that no outside thing can match. Now that’s a New Year’s resolution with a future.