Every January, many people set intentions for change. This could be to feel calmer, or to change a habit that no longer serves you or to regain control, confidence, or balance.
These intentions are usually sincere and well considered. Yet, within a few weeks, many people notice old patterns quietly returning. This can feel confusing or frustrating, particularly when the desire for change is genuine.
This experience should not be viewed as failure it’s a part of how the mind works.
A Timeline of the Early Days of Change
1st January – Decision Made
Motivation is often high. The idea of a fresh start brings clarity and optimism. Goals are framed clearly, sometimes decisively. At this stage, change feels possible because it is still imagined rather than embodied.
The First Few Days and Reality Arrives
Very quickly, effort is required. Routines are disrupted. The body and mind begin adjusting. For some, this discomfort is unexpected, and doubts begin to surface.
This is not a lack of willpower. It is the nervous system responding to unfamiliarity.
The First Week, Sometimes a Negotiation Begins
Thoughts such as “I’ll restart next week” or “I just need a break today” often appear. These are not signs of weakness; they are signs that deeper patterns are being activated. Then we begin to think, why did my new year’s resolution fail and there we go, may as well not bother now!
Why Change Is Rarely Just a Conscious Decision
Most people approach resolutions as if change is purely a conscious process: decide, commit, repeat. While conscious intention is important, it represents only part of the picture. Much of what we call “habit” operates below conscious awareness. Habits are formed through repetition, emotional learning, and context. Over time, they become automated patterns designed to conserve energy and maintain a sense of safety and predictability.
Neuroscientific research shows that habitual behaviour is strongly linked to the basal ganglia, a brain system involved in automatic responses and routine behaviour (Graybiel, 2008). Once established, these patterns are not easily overridden by conscious effort alone, particularly under stress, fatigue, or emotional load. This is why many people find themselves returning to old habits even when they truly want to change.
The Mid-January Experience
Around 7–10 January – Resistance Seems Futile
The initial motivation fades. The new behaviour begins to feel effortful. Old patterns feel familiar and comforting. At this point, many people assume something is “wrong” with them.
In reality, the subconscious mind is doing what it has always done, protecting familiarity.
By Mid-January – Confidence Drops
Studies consistently show that most New Year’s resolutions are abandoned within the first few weeks (Norcross, Mrykalo & Blagys, 2002). This often leads to self-criticism or quiet disengagement.
What is rarely acknowledged is that the change was being attempted at the wrong level.
A Different Understanding of Change
I view change as a process of alignment, not force.
When conscious intention and subconscious patterns are pulling in different directions, change feels like a struggle. When they begin to work together, change often feels more natural and sustainable.
This is where hypnotherapy can be helpful.
Hypnotherapy is not about control, suggestion, or losing awareness. It is a calm, collaborative way of accessing the subconscious processes that influence habits, emotional responses, and identity. For many people, it creates space to explore why certain patterns exist, rather than simply trying to override them.
Research supports the use of hypnosis as an evidence-based intervention for behavioural and emotional change, particularly when habits are emotionally reinforced (Lynn et al., 2000; Elkins et al., 2015).
How Hypnotherapy Supports Habit Change
Rather than relying on willpower alone, which I have already highlighted is much more difficult, using hypnotherapy can further help by:
- Reducing internal resistance to change
- Exploring emotional associations linked to habits
- Supporting new subconscious responses
- Encouraging identity-level shifts rather than surface behaviour changes
For some clients, this results in greater ease. For others, it brings clarity, emotional relief, or a renewed sense of choice. Importantly, the process is individual and client-led. Change does not need to be dramatic to be effective.
What Happens When the Subconscious Is Included
Late January to Early February – A Subtle Shift
For those who work with subconscious patterns, behaviour often begins to feel less forced. The change becomes part of who they are becoming, rather than something they are trying to impose.
Beyond February – Integration or Insight
By this stage, habits either integrate naturally or offer valuable insight into what still needs attention. In both cases, the process becomes informative rather than discouraging.
A More Compassionate Way Forward
If your resolution has already faltered, or if previous attempts have left you feeling frustrated, that does not mean you lack commitment or discipline. It often means that your mind was asking for a different approach.
Sustainable change rarely comes from pushing harder. More often, it comes from understanding what is happening beneath the surface and responding with curiosity rather than judgement.
An Invitation
Hypnotherapy is offered as a supportive space to explore change at a deeper level, at a pace that feels safe and respectful.
If you are considering support with habits, anxiety, confidence, or long-standing patterns, you are welcome to get in touch or book an initial consultation to explore whether this approach feels right for you.
Change does not have to feel like a battle. It begins with understanding.
There’s more reading on New Year’s Resolutions here: