Don’t Go It Alone This Year: Find Purpose in Community Action

As the calendar turns, many of us feel the familiar pull of fresh starts and good intentions. New Year’s resolutions promise change, yet they often fade as winter wears on. A recent survey by YouGov plc found that one in five Britons say they intend to make New Year’s resolutions for 2026. While four in ten say they managed to keep all of their 2025 resolutions, most people admit they give up by February – often because goals are too vague or there’s no clear plan to support lasting change. 

Perhaps it’s time to rethink what a “successful” resolution looks like. Instead of drastic overhauls, this year could be about mindful, small, consistent habits that last a lifetime. Sustainable change is rarely loud or dramatic; it grows quietly through daily choices. Incorporating elements of mental and physical wellbeing, finding ways to connect with family, community and nature, and focusing on learning and kindness can make resolutions feel nourishing rather than punishing. This approach shifts us away from the pressure of a “new year, new you” mentality and towards sustainable personal growth, community connection and self-compassion. 

One of the most powerful ways to stick to new goals is not to go it alone. Being held to account by others who are striving for similar lifestyle changes can make all the difference. When we become part of something bigger than ourselves, motivation deepens and purpose becomes shared. Whether your passion lies in health and fitness, social justice, environmental action or nature recovery, finding a cause or community with aligned values helps turn good intentions into meaningful action. Along the way, practicing empathy and gratitude – for people and planet alike – strengthens both resilience and hope. 

If your New Year’s resolution includes a desire to help create a fairer, kinder and healthier world for all life on Earth, why not consider joining the growing Sussex Green Living caring community? Our volunteers come from all walks of life and form a diverse, multigenerational network that inspires and supports one another on the journey towards more sustainable living. As we look ahead to 2026, our mission is to build even greater age and ethnic diversity among our volunteers and supporters, ensuring that many voices, experiences and perspectives shape our work. Together, we aim to grow compassionate, caring communities working side by side to build regenerative villages and towns – futuresteads with future generations front and centre in our hearts and minds. 

To get started, here are nine simple lifestyle changes you can make to save money while helping to build a fairer, kinder and more sustainable world for all life on Earth:
https://www.sussexgreenliving.org.uk/9-pledges-form/ 

We will shortly be sharing our 2025 purpose and impact report, along with ways you can support our charity’s vital work. This New Year, let’s choose resolutions that don’t just change us, but help change the world.