Managing New Year Expectations: Hope, Change, and Sustainable Growth

Join the therapists of Eden Therapy Co. as they tackle the cultural pressure of "New Year, New Me" and explore why real change takes more than a calendar flip. In this episode, Leslie, Marianne, and Angie—along with team member Ivanna —discuss navigating grief during the holidays, sustaining hope through disappointment, and creating lasting transformation from the inside out. Whether you're dealing with loss, waiting for answered prayers, or feeling stuck in the same patterns, this episode offers practical wisdom on setting realistic goals, finding joy in the process, and giving yourself grace when life disrupts your plans.

Show Notes

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] Introduction & New Year Expectations

• Meet Ivanna, the newest addition to Eden Therapy Co.
• The cultural pressure of "New Year, New Me"
• Why January 1st doesn't magically reset your life

[02:30] Grief and the New Year

• Leslie shares her first New Year after experiencing loss
• How holidays feel different when loved ones are missing
• Managing hope when circumstances don't change

[06:15] Sustaining Hope Through Disappointment

• Ivanna and Alex's journey through infertility and pregnancy
• The danger of fixating on timelines and external results
• Why internal change matters more than visible outcomes

[12:45] The Problem with Quick Fixes

• Why most New Year's resolutions fail by April
• The illusion of control vs. the reality of influence
• How life disrupts even our best-laid plans

[18:20] Change Takes Time

• The 1% principle from "Atomic Habits" by James Clear
• Why healing isn't always visible (especially at first)
• Breaking free from the need to document everything

[24:00] Vision Boards & Dream Boards

• The difference between manifesting and dreaming with God
• Why recurring themes matter more than one-year timelines
• Stewarding what you have while waiting for more

[30:15] Therapy, Community & Accountability

• Why therapy isn't a 3-session fix
• The power of processing roots to create lasting change
• The role of community in sustaining transformation

[36:45] Internal vs. External Goals

• How character development opens doors to your goals
• Cultivating joy in the waiting seasons

[42:30] Breaking Stuck Patterns

• Rewiring thought patterns that keep you stuck
• The danger of comparison in the age of social media

[48:00] Practical Tips for Lasting Change

• SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable
• Pick 1-2 goals instead of 17,000
• Focus on long-term growth over short-term wins
• The power of 1% daily improvement

Resources Mentioned:

• "Atomic Habits" by James Clear

Key Takeaways:

• Change is not linear—growth happens internally before it's visible externally
• Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but joy can be found in the process
• You can't rewrite a story that hasn't been processed yet
• Nothing that kills contentment more than comparison
• Real transformation requires time, community, and compassion for yourself

Join us next time at Eden’s Table—where you can always sit with us.
Find us on Instagram at EdensTablePod
Download free resources on our website EdenTherapyco.com


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