Let’s Get Personal: Starting 2025 in “The Middle”

New Year’s resolutions and I have a complicated history. I’ve tried every approach. List only the big ones. Only the small ones. The wildly ambitious ones that made sense after a second glass of New Year’s champagne. And every year, they unravel somewhere between January 3rd and “Oh, I forgot I even said that.”

It’s not that I don’t want to be better. I do! I’ve spent years mapping out bold plans to become more productive, healthier, wiser. But most of those plans fizzle out because, well, life happens.

This year, I’m not chasing perfection. Heck, I’m not even having this discussion until January 8th!  This year, I’m chasing balance. I’m exploring a softer, gentler approach that feels doable, meaningful, and—dare I say—fun. Enter the concept of “the middle.”

Why 75 Hard Isn’t for Me

Have you heard of 75 Hard? It’s a wildly intense program that asks you to be your best, most disciplined self for 75 days. Two workouts a day, strict diet, no alcohol, a gallon of water, 10 minutes of reading—it’s like a boot camp for your willpower. I have friends who swear by it, and I cheer for them like a proud mom at a talent show. They crush it, and the results speak for themselves.

But watching them sometimes leaves me spiraling. Here’s what happens. I see their success and immediately spin a story in my head: They can do 75 Hard, so of course they’re climbing the career ladder; they always dress like they’ve stepped out of a magazine; and they can probably even cook (like, make your own pasta kind of cook). I bet their closets are straight out of a Container Store ad, their kids snack on kale chips, and they probably know how to fold fitted sheets.

Rationally, I know this is ridiculous. It’s projection, pure and simple. But it still leaves me feeling a little “less than.”

The Birth of 37.5 Medium

I’ve toyed with the idea of doing 75 Hard, thinking maybe it would unlock some magical super motivation in myself. But deep down, I know it’s not the right fit. It feels more like a chore than a challenge.

So instead, this year I’ve created my own plan: 37.5 Medium. It’s a nod to balance, to progress without perfection, to living life in a way that feels manageable - for me!

Here’s what my 37.5 Medium looks like:

1. Aim for 8,000–10,000 steps a day. Because let’s be honest, this will feel like a big win for me.
2. Wake up 30 minutes earlier. Just enough time to sit with my coffee (now with collagen!) and think + feel gratitude.
3. Eat one fruit and one vegetable daily. Baby steps toward better nutrition. Don’t judge me.
4. Declutter one thing a week. A drawer, a cabinet, or even just the catch-all lipgloss/dental floss/random mints zipper bag in my purse (do you have one of these - where does all that stuff come from?)
5. Share my thoughts weekly. Maybe through a blog, maybe on social media. I want to dive into “the middle” and spar conversations about how it shows up in all parts of life.
6. Limit wine to weekends. Or an occasional Thursday (or Monday). Let’s be honest, just not every night.
7. Add fiber and protein to my diet. Because apparently, chips and queso don’t count as a balanced food group.
8. Lift my cans of corn. It’s a long story, but I’m already working on a blog post about it. 

9. That’s it.. Because eight goals feel like plenty of ambition for now.

   
   

Living in the Middle

Here’s what I’ve learned about myself: I thrive in “the middle.” Don’t get me wrong,  I know when to push at full throttle, and I can buckle up for the long haul once I set my mind to something. But in so many ways, my sweet spot is balance - not extremes. 

So, here’s to 2025: the year of 37.5 Medium. A softer, steadier way to grow. What about you? Are you finding your own version of “the middle” this year? I’d love to hear your thoughts—what works for you, what doesn’t, and how you’re planning to embrace balance in your life. Let’s start the conversation!