Every January, millions of people set New Year's resolutions only to abandon them weeks later. In this episode of Resilience Across Borders, host Rachid Zahidi, author of the EMO Gym Journal, explains why resolutions fail and shares a proven, psychology-based approach to building lasting habits and real personal change.

Instead of relying on motivation and willpower, this episode focuses on identity-based change, emotional regulation, and small, consistent systems that support long-term growth. If you want sustainable self-improvement that lasts beyond January, this episode will change how you approach goals forever.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why New Year's resolutions don't stick

• The difference between outcome-based goals and identity-based habits

• How motivation fails under stress—and what works instead

• The role of the nervous system in habit formation

• How micro-commitments create momentum

• Why emotional awareness prevents self-sabotage

• How to overcome the all-or-nothing mindset

• What resilience really looks like in everyday life

Key Takeaways:

• Real change starts with who you're becoming, not what you're forcing

• Systems and environment matter more than motivation

• Nervous system regulation makes change possible

• Consistency beats intensity

• Progress comes from returning, not perfection

Practical Tools Shared:

• Identity-based journaling prompts

• Nervous system regulation techniques

• Habit-building through environmental design

• Micro-habits for emotional resilience

• Daily emotional awareness check-ins

Resources Mentioned:

• EmoGym: Your Journal and Emotional Gym by Rachid Zahidi (available on Amazon)

• Companion blog and episode resources: atresilience.com

About the Podcast:

Resilience Across Borders explores emotional resilience, personal growth, and self-leadership through psychology, lived experience, and practical tools—helping listeners build clarity, stability, and sustainable habits in an uncertain world.

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Be kind to yourself. Be kind to others. Stay resilient.