Why we crave a clean slate
You know that rush that hits in January — that “new year, new me” buzz?
Psychologists call this the ‘fresh start effect’. It’s the reason why so many people suddenly believe they will drink more water, write that book, or start meditating before sunrise.
The start of a new year, month or week acts like a mental line in the sand, separating us from who we were from who we want to be. That little psychological distance helps us move on from our past flops and try again.
The challenge is keeping this optimism alive over time. Many people find it difficult to hold onto that January energy as the year goes on. Fortunately, there are some ways you can bottle up the ‘fresh start effect’.
Instead of seeing a reset as a blank page, think of it as the next paragraph. Ask yourself, “What did my past self already learn that I can use now?” This helps you carry wisdom forward, rather than pretending your old self didn’t exist.
Willpower fades, but structure sticks. Research shows that people who build cues into their routines sustain change longer. Cues are small signals that make the desired action easier. They can be simple things like setting reminders or calendar alerts, laying out what you need the night before, pairing a new habit with an old one, or turning off notifications or moving tempting apps off your home screen.
The excitement of a fresh start can make us forget why things failed before. Psychologists call this emotional amnesia — the tendency to leave discomfort behind too quickly. Before you plan the “new you,” pause to recall what tripped you up last time. Not to dwell, but to adapt.
The reset effect is mostly psychological, but it can still work in your favour. It’s a mental spark that helps you begin again.