We’re a little over a month into 2025, and for some, the excitement of the new year has already faded. Some have abandoned their goals entirely, drifting back into the comfort of old routines. Yet every year, as the clock strikes midnight, social media floods with the phrase “New Year, New Me.” It’s a cultural phenomenon—this collective hope that a fresh calendar means a fresh start. We set big goals, convinced that this will finally be the year we break bad habits and transform our lives.  But as the months pass, reality sets in. We slip back into old routines, and before we know it, we’re the same person we were last year. The “New Year, New Me” slogan disappears into the abyss, and the cycle repeats. Why does this keep happening?

Why we can’t change our habits

Changing our habits is one of the most challenging things you will ever undertake. Consider this: for your entire life, you have conditioned yourself to engage in certain behaviors, and now you want to change them and expectbe easy? It’s important to give yourself some grace and fully comprehend the significant task that lies ahead.

Changing our habits is challenging in many ways. In the book Atomic Habits, James Clear talks about two reasons why most people struggle to change:

  1. They try to change the wrong thing.
  2. They try to change their habits in the wrong way.

The two main reasons we struggle with changing our habits are often our biggest mistakes. In my experience, whenever I failed to change a habit,because I was focusing on the wrong aspect. Many people set goals and have expectations for changing their habits, but they often fall short for this very reason. it was usually

In Atomic Habits, James Clear explains that there are three levels of habit change.

  • Layer 1 is the outcome, the result you wish to achieve—for example, wanting six-pack abs.
  • Layer 2 is about changing systems—if your goal is to have six-pack abs, your system includes going to the gym, managing calorie intake, etc.
  • Layer 3, the deepest and most overlooked layer, is about identity—who you are and what you believe at your core.

All these levels are essential for achieving complete change, but the problem is that most people try to achieve their goals in the wrong order. For the longest time, I focused only on the first layer of habit change—I wanted results right away. Every January, I would say something like, “This year, I want A+ in all my classes,” but I would do nothing about it. Don’t get me wrong—setting a target is important, but that alone won’t be enough to change your habits.

A more effective way to set that goal would be to say, “I am a studious person, and because of that, I will achieve A+ in all my classes.” This reframe is a better approach because it aligns your self-identity with the target you want to achieve. Shift your focus from being result-based to being identity-based, and you will see yourself become a better version of yourself.

So, the reason you don’t change your habits year after year is that your self-image gets in the way.

How Do You Change Your Identity?

Habits are the process of becoming the person you want to be. They consist of behaviors that define you. We are in a constant state of change; every habit you develop shapes your identity and serves as proof that you are becoming who you aspire to be. To change who you are, you need to change what you do.

Your identity can be changed through repeated behaviors over time. Small, consistent actions will stack up and provide undeniable proof of the person you’ve said you are.

You say you want to be a musician—when was the last time you practiced your chords?
You say you want to save money this year—so why are you still overspending?
You say you want to lose weight—so why are you still eating junk food?

The Key to Lasting Change

Start small with your goals. If your ultimate aim is to write a book, your daily habit should beific number of pages each day. Taking small steps toward your goals will help transform your identity. By consistently putting in the effort, yo to write a specu will gradually find yourself becoming a writer. This is the true objective of the journey, not just the imaginary book in the future. The book cannot come to fruition without you first becoming a writer in the process. Your end goal cannot be achieved unless you embrace that identity. The small layers of our habits can build up to create something significant over time, making our goals more attainable through consistency.

This year, my goals are to create more, learn new skills, and spend time with Christ. I want to produce more content and work on projects that interest me. I see myself as a creator, a learner, and a child of Christ. This shift in identity will help me make my goals more attainable by allowing me to focus on personal improvement from the core.

What are your goals this year? You ready for the “New” you? Let’s have a great year!

Summary

  • Many people fail to change their habits because they focus on the wrong thing or approach change in the wrong way(Atomic Habits by James Clear).
  • Habit change happens at three levels:
    1. Outcome – The result you want (e.g., getting six-pack abs).
    2. Systems – The process that leads to the result (e.g., diet and exercise).
    3. Identity – The beliefs and self-image that drive lasting change (e.g., “I am a healthy person”).
  • Most people focus on outcomes, but true change starts with identity—who you become shapes what you do.
  • Small, consistent actions reinforce your identity and lead to lasting change.
  • Instead of saying, “I want to write a book,” say, “I am a writer,” and commit to writing daily.
  • My personal goals this year are to create more, learn new skills, and grow spiritually by embracing the identity of a creator, learner, and child of Christ