Embracing Tiny Wins: A Mom’s Realistic Approach to New Year’s Goals

As a full-time personal trainer, health and wellness are literally my career—I spend my days helping others prioritize their well-being. But even with all my knowledge and experience, I still struggle to practice self-care as a mom of a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old. Between juggling my professional life at the gym, parenting, cleaning the house, laundry and everything in between, setting a huge goal for 2025 feels overwhelming. Last January, I didn’t set any goals for the year. This year, though, I’m focusing on something different: small, intentional habits that fit into my #momlife. I’ll share my thought process and goals with you—maybe they’ll spark ideas for your own journey.

From Big Resolutions to Tiny Habits

Before my “mom era,” I loved setting big, ambitious New Year’s resolutions. But now? As a mom of two littles, the thought of tackling a major goal feels…well, almost comical. Between work demands, parenting chaos and the never-ending to-do list, finding time to conquer a big resolution feels impossible. And yet, I’m a growth-oriented person. I want to feel like I’m working toward a better version of myself, even if my approach has to look different these days.

That’s why I’m leaning into tiny habits. Unlike big resolutions, tiny habits are manageable and easy to weave into a busy day. They don’t require a lot of time, energy or planning—perfect for moms who are already stretched thin. I often tell my clients, “success breeds success”. Tiny wins build momentum and confidence, which over time leads to sustainable, meaningful change.

This year, I’m even reframing the idea of “small” habits. I’m calling them tiny because, let’s be honest, anything bigger feels overwhelming. Tiny self-care moments are the ones I can realistically commit to, and they still make a difference. A quick stretch here, a gratitude practice there—it all adds up. For example, while my coffee brews in the morning, I can sneak in a quick stretch. Or before picking up my kids from daycare, I can take one minute to breathe deeply and reset. These habits might be small, but their impact isn’t.

The Power of Habit Stacking

You might have noticed a pattern here: I’m “habit stacking”. Habit stacking is when you pair a new habit with an existing routine. It makes adding something new easier because it fits seamlessly into what you’re already doing. For example, I could spend five minutes journaling when I get into work and open my laptop, practice gratitude while rocking my toddler to sleep and listen to personal development podcasts during car rides. These moments may be tiny, but they’re impactful and fit seamlessly into the busy, full plate of responsibilities I’m already managing.

Celebrating Tiny Wins

Moms, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking self-care has to be all or nothing. But the truth? Tiny wins matter. Every moment you spend prioritizing yourself—whether it’s a walk around the block, a gratitude list or a deep breath—makes a difference. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish; it’s necessary. When you feel good, your family feels it too.

Here’s to celebrating the tiny wins in 2025, because progress doesn’t require perfection—just consistency. Let’s show up for ourselves so we can show up for the ones we love most.