January is a good time to take stock of our lives – but where to start? David Robson finds some answers in the latest psychological research
With the turning of the calendar, many of us may have started reappraising our lives. As one Dear David reader reports, however, our soul-searching can often yield confusion rather than insight. “My New Year’s Resolution is to feel more fulfilled – but I don’t know how to start,” he tells me.
“What can I do to find a new sense of direction?” A little frustration is par for the course. Contrary to what most self-help gurus tell you, there is no shortcut to happiness that will work for all. That said, a few reflective exercises should help to realign your priorities, vastly increasing the chances that you will find a better path. Michaéla C. Schippers and Niklas Ziegler at Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands describe this process as “life crafting” – andof the available psychological research on finding meaning and purpose, they suggest that it involves the following action points: First, consider your values and passions. What do you enjoy doing, and what do you want to be remembered for? Second, look at your competencies and habits – what you have now, and what you would like to develop in the future. Third, think about your present and future social life. For example, who gives you energy, and who leaves you exhausted? Then, consider your career, your ideal future, your goals and, finally, your commitment. How can you be held accountable for your actions? As you can see, the list encompasses both our personal and professional lives, including our sense of social connection, which is recognised as a core driver of emotional well-being. Recognising our current competencies should boost our confidence in our capacity for change, while identifying areas for growth will help us to articulate what we wish to achieve in the future and how to get there. When setting your goals, Schippers and Ziegler suggest using a process known as implementation intentions, which involves creating a series of “if-then” plans to overcome the obstacles ahead. Suppose you recognise that creativity is a core value and your dream is to write a novel. You might set yourself the following objective: “If I get home before 7pm, I will write for an hour before dinner.” Finally, in the last step, which focuses on commitment, you look for ways to enhance your accountability by sharing your plans with others. In one experiment, the researchers asked students to take a selfie with a written statement outlining their goal, which they then posted on social media. Don’t expect to come up with all the answers at once; you may need to return to this exercise multiple times. Like any “craft”, living a better life will involve constant learning. Here’s to giving it a try in 2026.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Top 3 Must-Watch Netflix Shows This Weekend: January 16–18, 2026Greg is a Lead TV Writer & Critic at Screen Rant. He has published over 2500 articles, including weekly binge guides and Rotten Tomatoes reviews.
Read more »
XRP Price Analysis for January 16Can traders keep the price of XRP above $2 this week?
Read more »
Bitcoin (BTC) Price Analysis for January 16Does Bitcoin (BTC) have energy to fix above the $95,000 zone?
Read more »
NBA Picks: Our Expert Moneyline Parlay Bet for January 16Kick off your weekend in style with a three-leg parlay courtesy of NBA expert Jon Metler. Moneyline picks for the 76ers, Clippers, and Timberwolves.
Read more »
How to redeem the $30M YouTube kids' privacy payout before the January 21 deadlineToday's Business Headlines 01/15/26
Read more »
3 Best New Prime Video Movies I’m Watching This Weekend (January 16-18)The best new Prime Videos to watch this weekend include the sci-fi sequel 'Alien: Romulus' and a charming Jennifer Aniston rom-com
Read more »