Episode 12: New Year’s Resolutions — When You’re Just Trying to Survive

When “fresh starts” miss the mark in grief

January often arrives with pressure — to improve, reset, optimize, and become a “better” version of yourself. But when you’re grieving, that language can feel disconnected, overwhelming, or even cruel.

In this episode, I share why traditional New Year’s resolutions often don’t fit when you’re in survival mode — and why that doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.

Drawing from my own first New Year after losing Kevin, we explore how grief narrows capacity, shifts priorities, and asks something very different of us than transformation or self-improvement.

This episode is for you if:

• You’re moving into the New Year feeling heavy instead of hopeful
• Resolutions feel impossible or out of sync right now
• You’re tired of being asked to “push through”
• You’re just trying to survive — day by day, moment by moment

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why resolution culture doesn’t align with grief
• How survival is not failure — it’s the work
• Why healing doesn’t come through restriction or discipline
• Letting go of “new year, new you” pressure
• Choosing gentler intentions, boundaries, and permissions
• Meeting yourself exactly where you are

You don’t need to become someone new.
You don’t need to make big promises.
And you don’t need to take anything away from yourself to prove you’re healing.

If all you can do right now is survive — that is more than enough.

Connect with Me

You can find me on Instagram at @imsorrywerefriends
or learn more about my work at www.laurenlentz.com

If this episode resonated, I’d love it if you shared it with someone who may need permission to move slowly this season.