#45 - Who Put the F in February? Dealing With New Year's Resolution "Failure"

In this episode of Tidy Tidbits, Tidy Dad talks with Kate Strickler, the creator of the Instagram account Naptime Kitchen, and the author of the book “I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen: And Other Lies I Think Will Make Me Happy (Small Habits and Mindset Shifts to Find Contentment and Joy in Life)”.

Together, we explore the mindset shifts needed as we move into February, when the “new year, new you” energy of January often fades and self-doubt creeps in. This conversation focuses on finding the middle ground, breaking free from all-or-nothing thinking, and building sustainable habits that actually stick.

If you’ve ever felt like you “failed” a New Year’s resolution, this episode offers practical reframes and gentle strategies to help you reset without starting over.

In this episode, we talk about:

* Why January should be viewed as a starting line, not a pass/fail test

* The importance of the middle ground—and why progress still counts

* How to rethink “failure” by asking better, more curious questions

* What to do when a goal feels too big or unsustainable

* Why consistency matters more than motivation

* How to identify one small, doable step to get back on track

* Letting go of the all-or-nothing mindset

Tidy Takeaway

Sustainable change isn’t about perfection, it’s about adjusting, learning, and choosing small actions you can repeat.

—

Reel mentioned by @No.Food.Rules, about the “all or nothing” mindset”:

Important Links:

👀 Follow Kate Strickler on IG: @naptimekitchen

🌟 Kate’s book: “I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen: And Other Lies I Think Will Make Me Happy (Small Habits & Mindset Shifts to Find Contentment and Joy in Life)

📚 Order my book: Tidy Up Your Life

🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com

📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad

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