Next Up: Narcissism

Episode 37: The Trap of New Year’s Resolutions


Listen Later

“New Year’s resolutions can sometimes send the message that where you’re currently at isn’t good enough. And that’s just not always the case! 

 

Dr. Z invites listeners to rethink the often pressure-filled tradition of New Year’s resolutions by asking a powerful question: What does growth need to be tied to the arbitrary date of January 1st and why does change need to be so extreme? She introduces a practical and compassionate approach with three simple strategies—maintain, modify, and make another date—designed to fit your life, values, and resources. Why overwhelm yourself with unrealistic goals when smaller, sustainable steps can create lasting progress? 

 

In this episode, Dr. Z breaks down how to set clear, actionable goals while avoiding the trap of perfectionism. She reminds us that real growth comes from meeting ourselves where we are. It’s a refreshing take on self-improvement, grounded in empathy and practicality.

 

Quotes

  • “Maintain, modify, make another date. These are three things I want you to remember about setting resolutions as you go into 2025.” (08:40 | Dr. Z)
  • “Make sure what you’re setting is achievable. Don’t try to tackle the world. We have too much on our shoulders. Pick something small. If you’re going to start something new, pick something with a small learning curve. Pick something that you’re already kind of familiar with.” (12:35 | Dr. Z)
  • “A mood can never be a goal. I repeat, a mood can never be a goal. Happiness can never be a goal.” (19:24 | Dr. Z) 
  • “New Year’s resolutions suggest that where you’re at is bad and wrong and needs to be fixed and changed. It doesn’t.” (26:42 | Dr. Z)
  •  

    Links

    Connect with Dr. Z:

    https://www.drjaimezuckerman.com/

    https://www.zgrouptherapy.com/

    https://www.instagram.com/dr.z_psychologist/

    https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.z_psychologist

    https://www.youtube.com/@DrJaimeZuckerman

     

    Get my FREE breathing exercise here: http://www.drjaimezuckerman.com/newsletter

    Register for my on demand virtual courses here: http://www.drjaimezuckerman.com/workshops

    Order my workbooks! *Find Your Calm / Find Good Habits* http://www.drjaimezuckerman.com/books

    Shop my new Mindfully Messy hoodie here: http://www.drjaimezuckerman.com/apparel



    Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    Next Up: NarcissismBy Dr. Jaime Zuckerman

    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8

    4.8

    54 ratings


    More shows like Next Up: Narcissism

    View all
    The Terri Cole Show by Terri Cole

    The Terri Cole Show

    1,413 Listeners

    Love and Abuse by Paul Colaianni: Relationship and Emotional Abuse Expert

    Love and Abuse

    854 Listeners

    Narcissist Apocalypse: Patterns of Abuse by Abuse Survivor Network

    Narcissist Apocalypse: Patterns of Abuse

    764 Listeners

    The Divorce and Beyond® Podcast with Susan Guthrie, Esq. by Susan Guthrie

    The Divorce and Beyond® Podcast with Susan Guthrie, Esq.

    224 Listeners

    No Visible Bruises by Caroline Strawson

    No Visible Bruises

    518 Listeners

    Decoding Narcissism, Manipulation And Toxic Ideas, with Frederik Ribersson by Frederik Ribersson

    Decoding Narcissism, Manipulation And Toxic Ideas, with Frederik Ribersson

    141 Listeners

    The Covert Narcissism Podcast by Renee Swanson, Bleav

    The Covert Narcissism Podcast

    45 Listeners

    How Not To Suck At Divorce by Morgan Stogsdill and Andrea Rappaport

    How Not To Suck At Divorce

    288 Listeners

    Waking Up to Narcissism by Tony Overbay LMFT

    Waking Up to Narcissism

    692 Listeners

    Navigating Narcissism with Dr. Ramani by iHeartPodcasts

    Navigating Narcissism with Dr. Ramani

    1,735 Listeners

    The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

    The Mel Robbins Podcast

    20,566 Listeners

    Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse by Kerry McAvoy, Ph.D.

    Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse

    294 Listeners

    Surviving Narcissism with Dr. Les Carter by Dr. Les Carter

    Surviving Narcissism with Dr. Les Carter

    553 Listeners

    You Are Not Crazy by Jessica Knight

    You Are Not Crazy

    86 Listeners

    Why She Stayed by Grace Stuart

    Why She Stayed

    203 Listeners