Instead of Resolutions, How About a Theme?

Every January, we are told to reset. To fix. To become something “better” by force of will alone.

And yet, year after year, most of us quietly abandon those resolutions before winter is even over.

There is a reason for that.

More people are stepping away from traditional New Year’s resolutions and choosing a New Year theme instead of resolutions. A theme is not a rigid goal or a moral obligation. It is a guiding principle that helps shape decisions, priorities, and mindset throughout the year.

For plus size women in particular, this shift can be deeply empowering.

Why New Year’s Resolutions Rarely Stick

Let’s start with the facts.

Get this… According to research from the University of Scranton, only 8 percent of people successfully achieve their New Year’s resolutions! EIGHT PERCENT! That statistic has been widely cited by outlets like U.S. News & World Report and continues to hold steady year after year.

via GIPHY

That failure rate is not because people lack discipline, nope. It is because resolutions are often built on unrealistic expectations, external pressure, and all-or-nothing thinking.

A study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that people who focused on approach-oriented intentions, meaning values and themes tied to how they want to live, reported greater long-term well-being than those who set narrow, outcome-based goals.

In plain language, people do better when they focus on direction, not perfection.

Why a New Year Theme Works Better

A theme is flexible. It adapts as life changes. It supports growth without punishment.

The American Psychological Association notes that sustainable behavior change is more likely when goals are connected to internal motivation rather than external pressure or shame.

That is exactly what a theme does. Instead of asking, “Did I fail today?” it asks, “Did this choice align with how I want to live?”

Psychologist and therapist Dr. Rachel Glik explains in Psychology Today that themes work because they shift focus from rigid outcomes to internal values. She notes that themes support daily decision-making without the emotional fallout that often comes with broken resolutions.

That gentler framework is not weakness. It is strategy.

Why This Matters So Much for Plus Size Women

Many New Year’s resolutions aimed at plus size women are rooted in shrinking, fixing, or minimizing. Even when unspoken, the message is often clear. Change your body, then you can live.

A theme disrupts that narrative.

Instead of “lose weight,” a theme like nourish might mean eating foods that support your energy, choosing movement that feels good, or prioritizing mental health.

Instead of “be disciplined,” a theme like ease might mean releasing perfectionism and honoring rest without guilt.

Research consistently shows that self-compassion is associated with greater motivation and resilience, not less.

Themes allow plus size women to center care, expansion, and alignment rather than correction.

Introducing Our 2026 Theme

At The Curvy Fashionista, we choose a New Year theme instead of resolutions because we believe growth deserves context, not pressure.

A theme gives us language. It gives us room to evolve without feeling like we failed if life gets messy. And most importantly, it gives our community a shared direction without forcing everyone into the same box.

As we head into 2026, we asked ourselves a simple but powerful question:

What does growth actually look like for plus size women right now?

Not the performative kind. Not the hustle-for-approval kind. Not the shrink-yourself-first kind.

The answer kept coming back to one word.

ASCEND.

What We Mean When We Say ASCEND

ASCEND is not about doing more for the sake of productivity.
It is about rising with intention.

It is about elevation that feels aligned, grounded, and personal.

Rising in confidence.
Rising in clarity.
Rising in self-trust.
Rising in how you take up space without apology.

For plus size women who are often encouraged to stay small or wait their turn, ASCEND is a reminder that growth does not require permission.

Psychological research on identity-based motivation shows that people are more likely to sustain meaningful change when their actions affirm who they already are, rather than who they think they are supposed to become.

That is the heart of ASCEND.

It is not about becoming someone else.
It is about stepping more fully into who you already are.

Why ASCEND Fits This Moment

Choosing ASCEND as our 2026 theme is intentional.

It reflects where our community is right now. More aware. More confident. More willing to take up space in fashion, in leadership, in relationships, and in life.

ASCEND gives us a shared language for the year ahead, while still leaving room for each person to define what elevation looks like for themselves.

And that is exactly what a theme should do.

How to Choose a New Year Theme That Actually Supports You

A good theme should feel grounding, not heavy. If it already feels like a chore, it is not the one.

Some supportive theme ideas include:

• Ease: Less pressure, more breathing room
• Alignment: Choices that feel true to you
• Visibility: Taking up space without apology
• Rest: Treating rest as essential, not earned
• Momentum: Small steps that keep you moving

Your theme should guide your choices, not police them.

The Beauty of Choosing One Thing

A New Year theme is simple by design. It is one word or phrase you can return to when things feel overwhelming.

Research on habit formation shows that simplicity increases follow-through, especially during times of stress or transition.

A theme is not about perfection. It is about intention.

Moving Forward with Intention

This year, consider releasing the pressure to reinvent yourself overnight.

You do not need fixing. You do not need shrinking. You do not need a longer list of rules.

Choosing a New Year theme allows you to grow with yourself, not against yourself.

And that kind of change actually lasts.

What Is Your Theme This Year?

Is it ease? Visibility? Alignment? Something uniquely yours?

Whatever you choose, let it support you, not control you. That is the difference between surviving the year and actually living it.