As the calendar flips to January, the pressure starts to build. “This is the year I’ll finally get it all together,” you tell yourself. Diet starts Monday. Gym every day. Meditate. Journal. Wake up early. Never hit snooze again. Sound familiar?
But here’s the truth: you don’t need a total life makeover to grow. And in fact, trying to reinvent yourself overnight is often more harmful than helpful.
At Journey Psychology in Sherwood Park, we support clients in setting meaningful, sustainable goals that support; not shame them. Growth isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about coming home to who you already are.
Why Reinvention Culture Isn’t Sustainable
The self-help messages plastered across social media this time of year can feel motivating; but also a little… exhausting. Underneath those glittery vision boards and morning routines is often a sneaky form of perfectionism.
When we expect to become a “new person” by January 1st, we’re usually trying to:
- Escape uncomfortable feelings
- Bypass deeper emotional work
- Fix what we’ve been told is “wrong” with us
But true change; the kind that sticks, starts with acceptance, not shame. That’s where therapy can be a game-changer.
What Healthy Goal Setting Really Looks Like
Our therapists often work with people who’ve struggled with depression, anxiety, trauma, or low self-worth and are burned out by the all-or-nothing mindset.
Using tools like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), we help clients:
- Set realistic, values-based goals
- Let go of “should” thinking
- Build consistency without self-criticism
- Develop routines that serve their mental health, not destroy it
If you’re struggling with depression, even getting out of bed can feel like a goal. That’s valid. Learn more about how we support depression therapy in Sherwood Park.
Living with PTSD or emotional trauma? Goal-setting might bring up fear, triggers, or perfectionism. That’s why we offer PTSD treatment in Sherwood Park that helps you feel safe as you move forward; at your pace.
You Don’t Need to Start Over; You Need to Start Small
Real talk? Reinventing yourself can feel like erasing the parts of you that are still hurting. But healing doesn’t require erasure. It requires compassion.
Here’s what values-based, mental health–supportive goals might look like:
- “I will check in with myself once a day before I check my phone.”
- “I’ll aim to move my body in a way that feels good, not punishing.”
- “I’ll say no to one thing each week that drains me.”
- “I’ll practice one coping skill from therapy on tough days.”
These aren’t resolutions you’ll break. They’re intentions you’ll live.
ACT Therapy: A Different Way to Do Goals
At Journey Psychology, we often use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to support clients in letting go of rigid expectations and connecting instead to their values.
ACT helps you:
- Acknowledge uncomfortable thoughts and emotions without judgment
- Take small, meaningful actions aligned with what matters to you
- Build a life that feels authentic—not performative
So instead of saying, “I need to stop being lazy,” ACT might help you say, “Rest matters to me. I’ll take intentional breaks that recharge me.”
If you’re curious, explore more about ACT therapy in Sherwood Park.
When Goals Hurt Instead of Help
Sometimes goal-setting gets tangled with shame, especially if you’re navigating:
- Anxiety: Where pressure to “keep up” triggers spiraling thoughts
- Perfectionism: When anything less than “all in” feels like failure
- Trauma: Where the nervous system resists change for safety reasons
That’s where therapy for perfectionism, CBT, or DBT can offer relief. At Journey Psychology, we help you create routines and goals that honour your experience, not fight it.
We’re Here to Support You Through It
You don’t have to navigate the “new year” pressure alone. Whether you’re dealing with low self-worth, post-holiday depression, or anxiety about the year ahead, we’re here to help you reconnect with yourself; gently.
At Journey Psychology in Sherwood Park, we specialize in:
- Depression Therapy
- PTSD Treatment
- ACT and CBT Therapy
- Therapy for Perfectionism and Burnout
We also offer a complimentary 15-minute consultation, so you can explore therapy without pressure or commitment.
You’re Enough, Exactly as You Are
Let’s make 2026 the year you stop trying to fix yourself and start supporting yourself. You don’t need a new you. You just need a space where the real you is welcome; with all your messiness, growth, and hope.
Book your appointment with Journey Psychology today, and let’s take the first step toward creating a life that feels good on the inside.