Reduce alcohol, play sports, stop smoking, pay attention to your diet… At the start of 2025, many of us are making new resolutions. Unfortunately, they often tend to fade over the weeks, until most are completely abandoned. The reason is fear, according to Dr. Margie Warrell, author of the book “The Courage Gap: 5 Steps to Braver Action” to be published on January 28, 2025.
“Whenever we want to make a change, even if we know intellectually that it is important for us to do so, it always indicates a primal instinct: fear”. This fear can sabotage us and get in the way of achieving resolutions that we would actually like to make. Fear”rationalizes our caution” And “distracts us in a hive of activity”according to the specialist. “We then abandon these resolutions, convincing ourselves that next year will be a better time. And so it continues.”
In order to break this pattern, “It’s time to ask yourself what your inner self desires” explains the expert, knowing that “your desire to live a deeply rewarding life will often be at odds with your desire to live a secure life.” Indeed, many people decide not to exploit their passions in favor of security, but this is not always a solution. “Fear saves stress, but in the short term.” So, thinking of saving yourself from anxiety by making resolutions that you don’t really care about, the biggest source of stress will come from what you haven’t dared to do. For example :
- conversations you’ve been avoiding
- limits that you did not know how to set
- requests that you did not dare to make
- tensions/disputes that you have not resolved
- changes you didn’t make
To face issues that really concern you this year, the only resolution to make is to show courage.
Of course, showing courage isn’t easy and won’t make all your insecurities disappear like a magic wand, but it will allow you to aim for goals that will truly fulfill you. “Fear will always be there, lurking in the shadows, but so will your potential and the deeply fulfilling life that awaits you on the other side of courage.”concludes Dr. Warrell.
