I Stopped Making New Year’s Resolutions—and This Ancient Practice Changed Everything

I used to set New Year’s resolutions every single year. And, year after year, nothing really changed. Honestly, by the middle of January, I had practically forgotten what they even were.

Then one year, I had a breakthrough.

I realized the real New Year isn’t January 1st—it’s the December Solstice, when the light begins to return to the Northern Hemisphere. So instead of following the Gregorian calendar, I decided to align with the Earth and the Sun’s timing.

I held a solstice ceremony, set my intentions, and for the first time I felt connected to something bigger. Something shifted in me.

Then came my next insight: what if I used each new moon to support those solstice intentions?

I broke my big, yearly solstice goals into smaller, monthly ones. And it worked. By the next December Solstice, I had literally accomplished everything on my list. I felt like I’d cracked the code.

Each new moon kept me connected to my vision. Every cycle was a chance to check in, take aligned action, and keep moving toward what I truly wanted. And the best part? I was doing it all in alignment with the cosmos—honoring the Sun, Moon, Earth, and the wisdom of my ancestors.

Because really, aren’t we all longing for deeper connection? To Spirit, to Nature, to the cycles of the Earth and Sky?

The Sun + Moon Cycles

The Sun’s cycle flows through the solstices and equinoxes—the four creation points of the year. The Moon mirrors this cycle, but every month. It moves through the entire zodiac, covering the same ground the Sun does annually.

Here’s how I work with the Moon’s monthly cycle:

🌑 New Moon: Planting Seeds

The new moon is when the Moon meets the Sun—when the sky is dark, and the cycle begins. This is the time to set concrete, doable intentions for the one moon-month.

For example, instead of saying, “I want to open my heart more,” make it tangible:

• “I will dedicate one evening each week to intentional connection with my partner.”

   

• “I will practice self-care three times a week.”

This way, by month’s end, you’ll know whether you did it—or didn’t.

🌓 First Quarter Moon: Take Action

This is the building phase, when the Moon is gaining light. It’s your first check-in point.

Ask yourself:

• How’s my intention going?

   

• Am I taking action—or have I forgotten about it?

Choose one micro-action—a baby step that feels easy—to move things forward this week.

🌕 Full Moon: Celebrate

When the Moon rises as the Sun sets, it’s time to honor yourself.

Modern culture often talks about the full moon as a time for releasing, but traditionally, this was a time of gathering—feasting, dancing, celebrating the light.

So I ask you: What’s one thing you can celebrate about yourself right now?
This is about letting yourself shine, even if only through inner acknowledgement.

🌗 Last Quarter Moon: Complete

As the Moon wanes and sits high at sunrise, it’s your final check-in before the cycle ends and begins again.

Ask:

• What small step can I take this week to bring my new moon intention to completion before the cycle resets?

Month after month, this process keeps you aligned with your larger solstice or equinox vision.

The Power of Living in Alignment

This is exactly what I guide women through in Moon Sisters Circle—working with the Sun and Moon cycles to break patterns of self-sabotage, clear the “head trash” (thank you Linda Perry for that phrase!), and finally create the lives we most want.

Inside Moon Sisters Circle, there’s live coaching with me twice a month, and a community of like-minded women walking this path together.

My own life transformed when I started living this way—combining the wisdom of the Sun and Moon cycles with modern transformational coaching and shadow work. It worked for me, and I know it can work for you, too.

So if you’re ready to stop letting your head trash run the show and start living aligned with your soul, I invite you to join us. You can learn more here: sheridansemple.com/moon-sisters

Wishing you an empowered, sacred, feminine week. I’ll see you next for the Aries Full Moon—a perfect time to celebrate the beautiful truth of who you uniquely are.

—
✨ With love,
Sheridan
Astrology Life Coach