Internet vs. Reality: "New Year, New Me"

Every new year, the internet floods with posts about becoming the “new year, new me.” Promises of overnight transformation and perfect routines dominate our feeds. But how do these messages hold up in reality? Let’s break down some of the common “New Year, New Me” internet trends versus what they look like in real life—through a non-diet, compassionate lens.

1. Internet: “Hot girls do this. Cool girls never do that.”

Reality: Hot, cool, or otherwise—your life isn’t meant to fit a TikTok trend. What truly matters is doing things that feel good to YOU, align with YOUR values, and add joy to your life. There’s no universal checklist for being “cool.” Focus on living a life that feels authentic and fulfilling for you, not one built around societal “shoulds.”

Blue background text image saying "Internet
Reality
"Hot girls do this. Cool girls do that. It girls never do this. That girls never do that."
Doing things that feel good to you, are authentic to your values, are enjoyable, and that interest you supports living the life that YOU want...not the one you “should” want"

2. Internet: “I just need to completely start over.”

Reality: Fresh starts can feel empowering, but they don’t need to erase everything you’ve done. Self-improvement doesn’t mean throwing away the person you already are. Growth happens in small, meaningful steps—not by scrapping everything and starting from scratch. Be kind to the current version of yourself and build from there.

3. Internet: “It’s not a diet; it’s a lifestyle change.”

Reality: Lifestyle changes that feel limiting, restrictive, or guilt-inducing often don’t last. Sustainable change happens when you add things to your life that increase joy, energy, and satisfaction—whether that’s more rest, activities you love, or foods that nourish both your body and soul.

4. Internet: “75 Days Hard.”

Reality: Extreme challenges like “75 Days Hard” often leave people feeling frustrated when life gets in the way. Instead of forcing yourself into rigid routines, embrace your multidimensional life. Progress happens in seasons—give yourself grace to adapt to what’s realistic for you.

5. Internet: “I started this new thing, and now I’m amazing at it.”

Reality: It’s okay to be bad at something when you’re starting out. Even better? It’s okay to still be bad at something and love doing it anyway! Joy isn’t reserved for the experts—let yourself enjoy the process, no matter how imperfect it looks.

6. Internet: “This year is going to change everything.”

Reality: Maybe this year will be transformational. Or maybe it will be one of rest, healing, or simply getting through it. Big, splashy moments don’t have to define a year’s worth. Even if this year doesn’t make your highlight reel, it can still hold meaning and growth.

Embracing the Reality of Growth

New Year’s resolutions often feed us a narrative of “better or bust,” but growth is a spectrum—not an all-or-nothing race. This year, instead of striving to fit a perfect mold, try asking:

What small changes can add joy, rest, or energy to my life?
How can I make room for hobbies and habits that feel authentic?
Am I giving myself grace to grow at my own pace?

Your year doesn’t need to look Internet-worthy to matter. The best changes are the ones that make you feel more alive and aligned—not the ones that impress others.

Ready to Unpack More Food and Wellness Myths?

Check out our latest blog on Breaking Down ‘Good’ vs. ‘Bad’ Foods: A Non-Diet Take on Halloween Candy! It’s time to rethink labels and embrace a more compassionate approach to eating.

What Do You Think?

Have you fallen into any of these “internet vs. reality” traps? Share your thoughts in the comments or tag us in your journey—we’d love to hear from you!