By CPA Christabel Kakai
Crafting Authentic New Year’s Resolutions That Truly Matter
As we step into a new year, many of us are setting goals and resolutions. But where are these goals coming from? Are they rooted in our true desires, or are they a product of societal pressure? Are we moved by the call of the soul, or are we reacting to the cacophony of noise that surrounds us? The time has come to shift our gaze inwards. Checking in with ourselves involves taking the time to reflect on our values, passions, and aspirations. It means questioning the sources of our motivation and ensuring they align with our inner purpose. This is a process that calls for honesty and courage, as most of the time it means unlearning what society has instilled in us and embracing a path not necessarily considered normal.
We are living in a time of the aestheticized: the curated, picture-perfect ideal that saturates every inch of our individual existences. Aestheticism tells us how to clothe ourselves, where to focus for a career, and even how we should dream—as if through filters. But polished veneer and all, the uncomfortable truth lingers just beneath the surface: too many are losing touch with themselves. The question that shows up and actually begs to be asked is so simple, yet so profound: are we connected to our purpose, or are we unconsciously living someone else’s life?
We take on aesthetics that are not ours, copy goals alien to our real selves, and pursue dreams belonging to others. We can’t notice in this hyper-consuming world what is really genuine and new. We don’t know any more who we are, for our identities have shifted to the combination of influences around us that we have unconsciously accepted.
We live in a hyper-successful era when everyone seems to pursue the next big thing: an even bigger paycheck, an even fancier title, or that elusive “financial freedom.” But is this a relentless pursuit for our dreams or a way of filling up inner voids? Success has become a coping mechanism for many in an attempt to cover up the emotional void within. In many forms—loneliness, unresolved trauma, or just a general lack of purpose—one can try filling that void with substance abuse, temporary relationships, projects, promotions, or businesses. The irony is that when these external milestones are achieved, the hollowness remains. We find ourselves scavenging for the next achievement, caught in a loop of “doing” without “being.”
One of the greatest dangers in this hyper-successful culture is running someone else’s race. Social media really just pours gasoline on the problem, flooding us with other people’s highlight reels. We see their best moments, wins, achievements, perfectly styled homes—and we begin to compare. We adopt their dreams, goals, and plans and think it should also work for us since it worked for them. What happens when you actually get to the finish line only to realize that it was not even your race to run? It is when we lose our authenticity that we already set ourselves up for defeat. Fulfillment can only come when one pursues a goal in congruence with his inner purpose, not by the validation provided from the outside world.
Most talk nowadays about success tends to be built upon financial freedom. We have always been made to believe that money buys everything and, once the right income bracket is achieved, our happiness shall be sorted out. But this is a flawed narrative: success cannot and should not be solely measured by financial stability. The idolization of financial freedom masquerades itself as purpose, yet the two concepts are far from synonymous. Financial freedom is about taking away the impediments, but purpose is something different altogether—to give meaning to. One does not necessarily go with the other. The real question is, can we find contentment and fulfillment without tying our worth to our bank accounts? Can we live a purposeful life even if it doesn’t come with a seven-figure salary?
Locking in with yourself means reclaiming one’s authenticity against a world that never stops trying to mold you into something else. It is about canceling the noise, letting go of external influences, and finding your way back into what truly matters for you. Authenticity is not just a buzzword; it’s the foundation of a well-lived life. When we finally start to live authentically, we stop in our mad dash to please others and start in with creating a life that feels honest to ourselves. This year, instead of striving for someone else’s version of success, get on your version. Define fulfillment for yourself and pursue that unapologetically. Remember, it is not perfection in the journey but alignment that matters. And when you lock in with yourself, you unlock the power to live a life that is uniquely and beautifully yours.
Kakai Christabel is an accountant, a CPA finalist, and a writer passionate about finance, storytelling, and professional growth
kakainechesa@gmail.com
