January. A fresh start. A blank slate. A new beginning. A new you.
Unless your resolution was to avoid the internet altogether (in which case, you have my deepest admiration), you’ve probably encountered the yearly self-improvement frenzy.
Every year, like clockwork, painfully predictable headlines make their rounds:
“Six Habits to Supercharge Your Health!”
“How to Reset Your Life in These Simple Ways”
“Four Ways to Make Your New Year’s Resolutions Stick!”
And by February, the narrative pivots seamlessly to “Quit Already? Here’s How to Get Back on Track.”
Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have joined the chorus, turning self-improvement into a jostle for virality rather than a meaningful pursuit. This year alone, TikTok reels heralded wellness trends like 75 Soft (the gentler sibling of 75 Hard), virtuous influencers offered “no spend January” life hacks, and reminders to embrace Dry January flooded our feeds.
The underlying message is always the same. But this year feels different.
We’ve entered 2025 at a particularly sobering moment in history. Ongoing wars, genocide, famine, wildfires, political polarisation, and economic instability have cast a long and devastating shadow. The world feels increasingly fragmented, unpredictable, and tilting toward greater chaos. Against this backdrop, the relentless quest for self-improvement feels a bit off. The chasm between our realities and the beige/mocha mousse palette of self-optimisation has never been wider.
Don’t get me wrong, self-improvement has a place in our lives. Striving to feel healthier, drinking less, exercising more, and managing time better are meaningful pursuits. But the deluge of self-improvement narratives, quick fixes, and aspirational mantras feel long overdue for a reset (much more than your gut).
An Updated Vocabulary for Self-Improvement
If self-improvement is to stay relevant in our increasingly volatile times, it needs to adapt. One way forward is to re-examine the vocabulary we use. Over the years, self-improvement terms (or wellness speak) have ballooned with trendy phrases. Some—like holding space—retain their therapeutic origins and can be valuable ways of understanding each other. But other popular terms are often reductive, overused, and even counterproductive.
Here are a few phrases that need a reboot:
Main character energy: Living your best life as if you’re the star of the movie.
Example: “I’m done caring; I’m all about main character energy now.”
While intended to inspire self-love and confidence, framing yourself as a protagonist feels out of step at a time that demands us to think and act collectively and communally. How can we show up for each other? How can we contribute our energy to a greater good? The world doesn’t need more main characters—it needs more ensemble players.
Alternative phrases include ensemble energy—think the hobbits in Lord of the Rings or George Clooney and comapny in Ocean’s Eleven.
Level up: Making progress, doing better, and achieving more.
Example: “This year, I finally leveled up my fitness routine.”
Borrowed from gaming, “leveling up” suggests a relentless striving toward external milestones. Unfortunately, this linear, achievement-focused mindset often leaves us feeling unfulfilled. We’re always queuing up the next song, forgetting to enjoy it as it plays. How can we be more aware of what we already have? How can we better ground ourselves in what matters?
Alternative terms include to root down. Instead of climbing one rung after another, focus on grounding yourself. Strengthen your connection to community, values, and what really matters.
Hacks: Shortcuts to optimise everything, from productivity to happiness.
Example: “These simple meal prep hacks saved me so much time during the week!”
Aren’t we all a bit done with being more efficient? As the world grows more unpredictable, the pursuit of endless efficiency feels counterproductive. Do we really need to squeeze another 15 minutes out of our day—or would we benefit from simply slowing down?
Alternative terms include slacks. Embrace flexibility. Cut yourself some slack. Take the longer route, savor the moment, and let life breathe.
A Resolution Worth Keeping
This isn’t a call to abandon self-improvement. Rather, 2025 presents itself as a moment in time to reimagine it. Instead of chasing the shiny version of ourselves, it’s about helping us to collectively thrive in a world that desperately needs more compassion, care, and hope.