Resolutions Burn Out. Rituals Build Up.

Another January. Another round of unrealistic expectations and gym memberships we never asked for.

If you're a woman over 40, you’ve probably seen the headlines: “New Year, New You!” But here’s a radical thought - maybe you don’t need a new you. Maybe the you that exists right now is wise, worthy, and just needs a bit of hormonal harmony and daily rhythm.

At Eir Women, we don’t do resolutions. Why? Because resolutions are rigid. They demand a sudden, sweeping transformation and then guilt-trip you when real life (and hormones) step in.

Rituals, on the other hand?
They meet you where you are. They build. They honour your biology. And they actually work.

Why Resolutions Fail (Especially for Midlife Women)

So let's get back to science for a moment, because we focus on evidence, not empty promises.

During perimenopause, your hormones (especially oestrogen and progesterone) are fluctuating daily. This affects everything from your metabolism to your mood. Your stress response can shift. Sleep patterns get disrupted. Your energy dips can feel less “afternoon slump” and more “horizontal by 3pm.”

And yet, traditional resolutions expect you to overhaul your diet, join a bootcamp, meditate like a monk, and somehow juggle all of this without collapsing.

It’s no wonder 80% of New Year’s resolutions fizzle out by February.

Why Rituals Work (According to Science and Sanity)

Rituals are simple, supportive habits that you do consistently. They help anchor your nervous system and create a rhythm your hormones can actually get behind.

Here’s what rituals do that resolutions don’t:

• They regulate your stress response. Daily rituals like breathwork, stretching, or even a magnesium bath help lower cortisol, the stress hormone that loves to wreak havoc during perimenopause.
• They support your energy (without burnout). A protein-rich breakfast and morning sunlight aren’t trends, they’re proven ways to stabilise blood sugar, mood, and energy.
• They create neural grooves. Your brain is more adaptable during hormonal transitions. That means midlife is actually a powerful time to rewire habits - gently and gradually.
• They build confidence. Small, consistent wins (like drinking water before coffee or walking for 10 minutes) lead to big self-trust.

It’s Not About Changing Everything. It’s About Choosing One Thing.

So instead of a grand, unattainable resolution, what if you chose one ritual that supports your second half of life?

Here are a few to try:

• The Cortisol-Calm Ritual: Morning light, gentle movement, and 10 slow breaths alongside Show Up.
• The Sleep Ritual: Reboot before bed, screens off at 9pm, lavender oil.
• The Strength Ritual: Resistance training twice a week to support bone and muscle health, combined with Revival and Fuel to really see results.
• The Gut-Nourishment Ritual: Protein and fibre-forward meals, Sparkle and snacks that stabilise (not spike) your blood sugar.

None of these will demand a new you. But they’ll support the incredible one who’s already here.

Final Word: Choose Compassion Over Perfection

The world may be shouting “change everything!” but we’re whispering something softer, smarter, and more sustainable:

Build something. Slowly. Repeatedly. With kindness.

This isn’t about discipline, it’s about devotion. To your body. Your mind. Your rhythms. Your future.

Let’s make this the year we stop chasing unrealistic goals and start creating rituals that hold us, heal us, and help us rise.

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Lisa Walker is the co-founder of Eir Women, widow, mum, yoga teacher, science geek and completing her Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP), specialising in women’s wellbeing over 40.