Written by Susan L Williams, Clinical Hypnotherapist
Dr. Susan L. Williams, also known as Dr. Sue, is a pioneering clinical hypnotherapist with a unique expertise spanning athletes, sports teams, executives, and entrepreneurs. In her thriving practice, now in its fourth year, Dr. Sue employs innovative hypnotherapy techniques to help athletes overcome barriers such as negative mindsets, limiting beliefs, and the psychological impact of injuries and setbacks.
2025 is just around the corner, and as we dust off our planners and vision boards, a strange realization dawns: New Year’s Day falls on a Wednesday. This awkward midweek start throws a spanner into the well-oiled machinery of goal setting. We’re conditioned to kick off new habits on Mondays, the universally accepted day for turning over new leaves. So, what happens when we’re left staring at our ambitious resolutions over a midweek brunch, still dazed from the holiday festivities?
The Monday myth and the psychology of fresh starts
Let’s face it. Mondays have been the sacred altar upon which we sacrifice bad habits. Diets start on Monday. Gym memberships peak on Monday. Even smokers ceremoniously light their "last cigarette" on Sunday night, ready to face a new, smoke-free dawn. There is a comforting symmetry in beginning anew at the start of the week.
Psychologists attribute this to the "fresh start effect," a phenomenon where temporal landmarks, like the beginning of a week or year, mentally separate us from our past selves. A new week, month, or year is perceived as a clean slate, an opportunity to reinvent ourselves. But Wednesday sits there awkwardly, wedged between productivity and procrastination, lacking the gravitas of Monday’s fresh-start energy.
The quandary of the mid-week reset
Picture this. It is January 1st. The world is quiet, apart from the clinking of champagne glasses and the faint hum of leftover holiday tunes. You are full of motivation and ready to embrace the new you. But wait, it is Wednesday. Do you start your new regimen immediately, or wait until Monday, the 6th? Delaying for five days feels like cheating, but launching into full resolution mode midweek feels unnatural.
It is a psychological paradox. We want a clear demarcation between old and new, but Wednesday offers no such boundary. And if we wait, there is a danger that motivation may evaporate faster than the bubbles in our New Year’s champagne.
Why do humans crave structure
Human beings are creatures of habit, driven by patterns and routines. Mondays signify the start of something, while Wednesdays often mark the midpoint, a day where we coast rather than catapult into new endeavors. This ingrained thinking explains why gym attendance spikes on January 6 rather than January 2.
Yet, the rigidity of the Monday-start mentality could be part of the problem. When we view Mondays as the only acceptable day to start new habits, we set ourselves up for failure. Miss one Monday, and the temptation to postpone until the next one grows, creating an endless cycle of delay.
Breaking free from the Monday trap
So, how do we sidestep this psychological pitfall and embrace goal setting on an unconventional Wednesday? The trick lies in reframing the start date. Here are a few strategies to make those resolutions stick, regardless of the day:
Start small, start now. Who says resolutions have to launch full force on January 1? Begin with micro-habits as early as December. Want to exercise more? Take a brisk walk after your next holiday meal. Thinking about reducing screen time? Start by unplugging an hour earlier tonight. By the time January 1 rolls around, you will already have momentum.
Embrace the quirkiness. Turn Wednesday into your personal revolution day. If everyone else waits until Monday, you will already be ahead of the game. Frame it as a unique advantage and call yourself part of the Wednesday Warriors of 2025, forging ahead while others wait. A playful mindset makes the transition feel less daunting.
Make it a soft launch. Instead of a hard reset on January 1, treat the first week of January as a trial run. Ease into your goals rather than diving headfirst. This "soft launch" mentality allows you to troubleshoot and adjust without the pressure of perfection.
Accountability anchors. Find a friend, coach, or community to share your resolutions with. Accountability provides structure and makes the process feel less isolating. Consider creating midweek check-ins to normalize goal tracking outside the usual confines of Monday.
Celebrate progress, not perfection. The most common reason resolutions fail is the all-or-nothing mindset. If you miss one day at the gym, it does not mean the entire resolution is ruined. Shift your focus to progress rather than perfection. A Wednesday misstep does not erase the achievements of Tuesday and Thursday.
In conclusion
Goal setting for 2025 presents a curious challenge, but perhaps that is exactly what we need. Breaking free from the rigid confines of starting on a Monday can cultivate resilience and flexibility. These qualities are far more valuable than an arbitrary start date.
So, this New Year’s Day, let us raise our glasses to Wednesday resolutions. Embrace the quirkiness, defy the calendar, and step into 2025 with confidence, regardless of what day it is. Success is not determined by the day of the week; it is built on the willingness to begin, no matter when that might be.
Final thoughts
If you find yourself chuckling (or sighing) at the prospect of another year of well-intentioned resolutions that fizzle by February, you are not alone.
Goal setting can feel like a battle between ambition and habit. The good news is that you do not have to navigate it alone. As a mindset coach, I help people break through mental blocks, build lasting motivation, and turn resolutions into lifelong transformations.
Whether you are aiming to shed old habits, ignite new passions, or simply feel more in control of your path, I am here to guide you. Visit Peak Mindset. Coach to learn how mindset coaching can unlock your full potential and make 2025 the year your goals finally stick. Let’s make Wednesday resolutions the best ones yet!
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Susan L Williams, Clinical Hypnotherapist
Dr. Susan L. Williams, also known as Dr. Sue, is a pioneering clinical hypnotherapist with a unique expertise spanning athletes, sports teams, executives, and entrepreneurs. In her thriving practice, now in its fourth year, Dr. Sue employs innovative hypnotherapy techniques to help athletes overcome barriers such as negative mindsets, limiting beliefs, and the psychological impact of injuries and setbacks. She also empowers executives and entrepreneurs to overcome self-doubt and ingrained limitations, guiding them towards achieving a 'millionaire mindset'. Her approach shows that hypnosis caters to different audiences and the core methods are complementary and equally transformative.
