It’s a Few Weeks Into the New Year—Now What?
Every January, I notice the same thing—both in my own life and in my coaching work.
The first week of the year is loud. Intentions are bold. Everything feels possible.
But a few weeks in, the volume drops. What’s left is quieter—and more honest.
That’s usually when people start reaching out.
Not because they’ve failed.
But because they’ve noticed something.
The Part of the New Year We Don’t Talk About
A few weeks into the year is often when the pressure shows up. The goals that sounded right in theory start to feel heavy in practice. The systems you promised yourself you’d maintain begin to crack under the weight of real life.
I’ve been there—many times.
This space between intention and reality is something I write about often in my coaching work, on this website, and in the book I’m currently working on. It’s the place where we stop performing growth and start telling the truth.
Real Change Rarely Starts on January 1st
The calendar changing doesn’t magically make life simpler. Burnout doesn’t reset. Nervous systems don’t catch up just because the year turned over.
For many of us, clarity doesn’t arrive as motivation—it arrives as discomfort.
That moment when you realize:
The plan doesn’t fit the life you’re actually living
You’re tired in ways productivity tools can’t fix
You want something different, but can’t quite name it yet
That’s not falling behind.
That’s awareness waking up.
This Is Where the Real Work Lives
In my coaching practice, this is often where we begin—not with big declarations, but with honest observation.
Instead of asking “Why can’t I stick to this?”
We ask:
What feels unsustainable right now?
What am I forcing that doesn’t fit anymore?
What would support look like instead of pressure?
These aren’t questions meant to be answered quickly. They’re meant to be lived with.
You’re Allowed to Change the Plan
One of the themes that runs through my coaching book is this idea: growth isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about listening sooner.
You’re allowed to change your mind.
You’re allowed to adjust the timeline.
You’re allowed to choose a version of progress that doesn’t cost you your wellbeing.
That isn’t quitting.
That’s self-trust.
Why I Built Custom Path Coaching
Custom Path Coaching exists because I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. I’ve lived what happens when people try to force themselves into systems that were never designed for how they think, feel, or function.
A few weeks into the year is often when people realize they don’t need more motivation—they need clarity, structure, and support that actually fits them.
That’s the work.
Quiet. Personal. Sustainable.
If This Feels Familiar
If the New Year didn’t land the way you hoped…
If you’re somewhere between wanting more and not knowing what’s next…
If you’re craving direction without pressure…
You’re not alone—and you’re not late.
Sometimes the most important shifts don’t happen at the beginning of the year.
They happen once the noise fades and you finally start listening.
If you’re realizing a few weeks into the year that the plan you made doesn’t quite fit the life you’re living, you don’t need to push harder—you need space to recalibrate. Coaching offers a place to slow down, get clear, and build a path that actually works for you. If you’re ready to explore what support could look like right now, you’re welcome to book a free connection call.
Erin Akerson is a life, academic, and career coach and the founder of Custom Path Coaching. Her work centers on helping people navigate transitions with clarity, compassion, and practical support. She is currently writing a coaching memoir exploring quiet transformation, burnout, and learning to coach yourself through life’s in-between seasons.
