What I’m Carrying Into the New Year — And What I’m Finally Leaving Behind

#192 - What I’m Carrying Into the New Year — And What I’m Finally Leaving Behind

New Year’s Eve has a funny way of making us feel like we should reinvent ourselves by midnight.

New rules. New goals. New personality. Preferably someone who loves green juice and wakes up excited at 5 a.m.

This episode is… not that.

Instead, this is a pause. A breath. A moment to stand in the quiet space between what’s been and what’s coming—and ask a better question than “Who should I be next year?”

In this reflective solo episode, I share what this past year taught me the long way around: that growth isn’t about striving harder, fixing more, or optimizing your way into worthiness. The most meaningful shifts often come from removing pressure, listening to your nervous system, and letting go of identities that no longer fit.

We talk about discernment over urgency, why discomfort isn’t a problem to solve, how progress actually works (hint: it’s not linear), and what it looks like to move into a new year lighter—not because you did more, but because you carried less.

No resolutions. No hustle. No performative “new you.”

Just honesty, integration, and intentions that actually make room for real life.

If you’ve felt tired of pushing, quietly proud of how much you’ve grown, or like you’re standing on the edge of something new—but slower and steadier than before—this episode is for you.

In This Episode, We Explore:

• Why striving, optimizing, and “doing more” often block real healing
• The difference between urgency and discernment—and why it matters
• How listening to your nervous system builds real trust with yourself
• What to keep, what to release, and what doesn’t need to come with you
• Why intentions work better than resolutions (and how to choose yours)
• How progress actually unfolds—even when it feels messy or invisible

Time Stamps

00:00 – Why this episode isn’t about goals, resolutions, or reinvention 02:00 – The quiet space between years—and why it matters 04:00 – When striving stops working (and what actually does) 06:30 – Discernment vs. urgency: learning to pause instead of react 10:00 – What I’m intentionally carrying into the new year 12:00 – What I’m finally leaving behind (and why discomfort isn’t failure) 15:00 – Intentions over resolutions—and how to choose yours 18:00 – Moving forward lighter, calmer, and more grounded

Where to Find Me

You can connect with me, explore programs, and see what I’m up to outside the podcast here: Website: https://lisasmithwellness.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prettywell_podcast

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