Forget "To-Do" Lists—How "To-Be" Resolutions Help Midlife Women Transform Their Health and Life
A Fresh Perspective on Resolutions
Happy New Year! 🎉 It’s officially the start of 2025, and let me guess—you’ve already got a list of resolutions longer than your grocery list. Been there, done that, right?
Now, let’s get real for a second. How many times have those "to-do" resolutions actually stuck? You know the drill: "Go to the gym five times a week," "Stop eating sugar," or the classic "Wake up at 5 a.m. every day." By mid-January, it’s usually game over.
Here’s the thing: it’s not your fault. The problem isn’t your willpower—it’s the approach. This year, let’s try something different. Instead of focusing on what you need to do, let’s shift to who you want to be.
Yes, "to-be" resolutions are the secret sauce to creating real, lasting change—especially for women in midlife navigating health and lifestyle transformations. And trust me, they work. I’ve got the tools to help you make this shift, including my free guide, Nourish: Your Midlife Guide to Creating the Life and Body You Love Living In. Stick around, and I’ll show you how to download it at the end of this post!
What’s the Difference Between "To-Do" and "To-Be" Resolutions?
Let’s break it down.
"To-Do" Resolutions: The Old-School Approach
"To-do" resolutions are all about the checklist. They’re specific actions or tasks you plan to take, like:
“Go to the gym five days a week.”
“Lose 10 pounds by summer.”
“Meditate every morning.”
While these sound productive, they often fall short because they’re task-focused. For women in midlife, "to-do" resolutions don’t address the deeper mind-body connection needed for sustainable health changes.
"To-Be" Resolutions: The Game-Changer
"To-be" resolutions flip the script. Instead of asking, "What should I do?" you ask, "Who do I want to be?"
Here’s the magic: When you focus on being rather than doing, your actions naturally align with the person you’re becoming.
Examples:
Instead of “Go to the gym five days a week,” try “Be someone who loves movement and feels strong in their body.”
Instead of “Lose 10 pounds,” try “Be someone who nurtures their body with love and balance.”
See the difference? "To-be" resolutions feel empowering. They create alignment with your identity, which is the key to achieving health and lifestyle transformations in midlife.
Why "To-Be" Resolutions Work (and Last!)
They Align with Your Identity
When you believe you are someone who prioritizes health or values mindfulness, your actions naturally follow. No forcing. No guilt. Just alignment.
They Build Intrinsic Motivation
"To-be" resolutions come from within. They’re about what genuinely resonates with you, not societal expectations.
They Foster Mind-Body Connection
For women in midlife, transformation requires more than willpower. It’s about honoring the connection between your mind and body—something "to-be" resolutions naturally support.
They Embrace Progress Over Perfection
Life isn’t perfect, and neither are you. "To-be" resolutions celebrate growth and effort, not perfection. Every step forward counts, even if it’s small.
Examples: "To-Do" vs. "To-Be" Resolutions
"To-Do" Resolution | "To-Be" Resolution |
"Go to the gym five days a week." | "Be someone who loves movement and feels strong." |
"Eat only healthy foods." | "Be someone who listens to and respects their body." |
"Lose 10 pounds by summer." | "Be someone who nurtures themselves with compassion and balance." |
How to Create "To-Be" Resolutions for Midlife Health and Transformation
1. Envision the Future You
Close your eyes and imagine the version of yourself you want to embody by the end of 2025. Who do you want to be? How do you show up in your life, relationships, and health?
Journal prompts to get you started:
"What qualities do I admire in others that I want to embody?"
"What does my ideal day look and feel like?"
"Who am I when I feel my best?"
2. Choose 3-5 Core Qualities
From your vision, pick a handful of qualities that reflect the person you want to be. For example:
Confident
Compassionate
Resilient
Joyful
3. Align Your Daily Actions with These Qualities
Ask yourself, "What would this version of me do today?" Then, take one small action that aligns with your chosen qualities.
Examples:
If you want to "be someone who prioritizes health," drink a glass of water before coffee.
If you want to "be someone who values mindfulness," spend 5 minutes breathing deeply.
4. Use Gentle Reminders
Keep your "to-be" resolutions visible. Write them on sticky notes, set phone reminders, or create affirmations. For example:
“I am someone who embraces joy.”
“I am strong, capable, and resilient.”
5. Celebrate Your Progress
No, you don’t have to be perfect. Celebrate every step you take toward your vision. Each action reinforces the person you’re becoming.
Call to Action
This year is all about stepping into the best version of yourself. And I’ve got just the thing to help you get started: Nourish: Your Midlife Guide to Creating the Life and Body You Love Living In.
This guide is packed with practical tools and tips to align your mind, body, and actions with the life you want to create. It’s yours, completely free.
Download Here👉https://nancy-leeds-gribble.kit.com/5bf7dc1cae
Final Thoughts: Your Year to BE
You don’t need another "to-do" list this year. What you need is a shift—a commitment to becoming the person you’ve always wanted to be.
Because when you focus on who you are, everything else falls into place.
So, who do you want to be in 2025? Drop your first "to-be" resolution in the comments—I can’t wait to cheer you on!
Xo,
~Nancy
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