Should Bye™, Cortisol: Why Your Resolution Is Killing the Vibe (and What to Do Instead)

Let’s talk about resolutions.
You know, the ones that look cute on December 31st. Maybe they have been assisted with a new planner, journal and some super smooth gel pens. Now after a week into January they feel like a personal attack.

We’re barely a week into 2026 and suddenly:

The holidays are coming down

School mornings are rough. Like not enough coffee rough.

Michigan is gray, cold damp and moody.

Your cozy bed misses the lost holidaze.

Motivation packed its bags and left without saying goodbye.

Maybe, JUST maybe, you made a resolution without a roadmap. Or three. Or ten.

Cue the guilt.
Cue the shame.
Cue the anxiety spiral.

✨ Should Bye™ to all that. ✨

Is Your Resolution Actually Resolving Anything?

Honest question: Be HONEST with yourself here!
Is your resolution( or lack of) helping you feel excited, grounded, and empowered?

Or is it making you think:

• I should go to the gym.
• I should be further along by now.
• I shouldn’t have eaten that cookie.
• I should have done dry January. Maybe sprinkle January?

Because here’s the truth nobody puts on their vision board or mental vision board

“Shoulds” are sneaky little joy thieves.

Guilt comes from “I should.”
Shame comes from “I failed.”
Anxiety comes from “I’m already behind.”

And all of that?
Raises cortisol.
Lowers joy.
Lowers pleasure.
Lowers desire.

And let’s be honest—no one signed up for less joy, tighter pants or fewer orgasms in 2026.

Why January Is a Trap (The Gym Knows It, weight loss industry too!) 

Here’s a fun insider secret:
I avoid gyms with packed class schedules until after January 19th.

Why?

Because January resolutions tend to be:

• Too aggressive
• Too rigid
• Too all-or-nothing

Nobody keeps up three-hour workouts right out of the gate. Burnout isn’t discipline or the key to success. Burnout, excuses and guilt are bad planning.

If you want to work out because it lights you up or helps you feel strong? Beautiful.
If you dread it? Get it over with and move on with your day. Life is short! Why commit to something you hate? Like a toxic friendship or a nasty ex boyfriend.
If you love it but know life might hijack your schedule? Hit your workout the first class of the day and call it a win.

Once it’s done, it’s done.
Achievement unlocked.
Gold star.
Go live your life. 

The Problem Isn’t Your Motivation—It’s the Pressure

Life is not about perfection.
Life is about balance.
Life is about loving the moment you’re in right now.

Right F’ing now!

Not yesterday.
Not tomorrow.
Not “once I finally get it together.”

Because when you “should” all over yourself all day, you’re not just mentally exhausted, you’re stressing your nervous system, weakening your immune system, and training your brain to associate growth with punishment.

Hard pass.

Try This Instead in 2026

Ask yourself or use these questions for Journal prompts:

• Is my resolution sustainable or just impressive sounding?
• Does it support my life or fight against it?
• Do I have a roadmap or just expectations?

And most importantly:
What am I leaving behind in 2025?

YOU cannot move forward while dragging old guilt, outdated beliefs, and unrealistic standards behind you.

The SwEll peakX Way

At SwEll peakX we believe in:

• Sustainable goals
• Present-moment pleasure
• Confidence without punishment
• Progress without shame

✨ Should Bye™ to guilt-driven resolutions.
✨ Hello to joy-driven living, lust and love.

This moment is the one that counts.
Not five minutes ago.
Not ten minutes from now.

Take a breath.
Loosen the grip.
Pick what genuinely feels good and is practical.

Trauma hip the should right on out of it! If you are a client…. You know!

2026 doesn’t need a stricter version of you.
It needs a more present one.

And that?
Is where the magic lives 💖