Forget Resolutions. This Year, Let's Move Because It Feels Good
Every January, the pressure to reinvent yourself feels overwhelming. Lose weight. Get fit. Be better. Transform completely by February. But here's the truth: most resolutions fail because they're built on what you think you should do, not what actually brings you joy.
This year, we're inviting you to try something different. Instead of chasing perfection, what if you chose movement that makes you feel alive? What if building confidence through dance became your path forward, not another item on a guilt-inducing to-do list?
Why Resolutions Feel So Hard (And What to Do Instead)
At Brookhaven Dance in Brookhaven, GA, we see it every January: adults walk through our doors carrying the weight of past failed resolutions and the fear that this year will be the same. But when they start moving — really moving — in a way that feels good, something shifts.
Traditional New Year's resolutions often fail because they're rooted in shame or comparison. "I should lose 20 pounds." "I need to look like I did ten years ago." "Everyone else is doing it, so I should too."
That kind of thinking sets you up to feel like a failure before you even begin.
Research backs this up. According to a 2023 study by Dr. Michelle Rozen published in Forbes, only 6% of people who made New Year's resolutions followed through by mid-year, while 94% did not. [1] The problem isn't willpower, it's that the goals themselves are often unrealistic, punishing, or disconnected from what genuinely matters to you.
Instead of resolutions, try intention-setting. Ask yourself:
What do I want to feel more of this year?
What kind of movement makes me feel strong and capable?
How do I want to show up for myself?
When you shift from "I have to" to "I want to," everything changes.
Why Dance Works Where Other Resolutions Don't
Here's what makes dance different from typical January fitness goals: it doesn't feel like punishment.
When researchers studied what motivates adults to dance, they found something interesting. According to a 2015 study published in PLOS ONE, adults are primarily motivated to dance for self-confidence, mood enhancement, and socializing — not just physical fitness. The study revealed that self-confidence was actually the highest-rated motivational factor among recreational dancers. [2]
This matters because when you're moving for reasons that feel good emotionally and socially, you're far more likely to stick with it.
The research on dance and confidence is compelling. A 2025 systematic review published in Frontiers in Psychology examined 16 studies on dance interventions and found that dance significantly enhanced physical self-esteem and self-confidence while reducing social anxiety across all adult age groups. Whether participants tried Latin dance, contemporary, or even belly dancing, the results were consistent: dance helps adults feel better about themselves in ways that go beyond physical appearance. [3]
Another study on modern partnered dancing found that adults who danced regularly reported improvements not just in physical fitness, but in cognitive functioning, social connection, mood, and self-confidence. These weren't professional dancers, they were regular people who simply showed up to move.
What does this mean for your January goals?
It means that if you choose dance as your form of movement this year, you're not just signing up for a workout. You're investing in something that research shows can change how you feel about yourself, how you connect with others, and how you show up in the world.
That's not a resolution. That's a lifestyle shift.
Setting Dance Goals That Actually Stick
If you're ready to make movement part of your life this year, here's how to set goals that won't fizzle out by February:
1. Start Small and Specific
Instead of: "I'm going to dance three times a week no matter what." Try: "I'm going to attend one adult dance class this month and see how it feels."
Small, specific goals are easier to achieve and give you a foundation to build on. Success breeds momentum.
2. Focus on How You Want to Feel
Instead of: "I want to lose 15 pounds through dance." Try: "I want to feel energized, confident, and proud of myself for trying something new."
When you focus on feelings rather than numbers, you're more likely to stick with it because you're honoring what actually matters to you.
3. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
Dance isn't about getting every step right. It's about showing up, trying, and noticing how far you've come.
Did you remember more of the combination this week than last? Progress. Did you feel less self-conscious in class today? Progress. Did you smile while you were moving? That's progress too.
4. Build in Flexibility
Life happens. You'll miss classes. You'll have off weeks. That's not failure. That's being human.
The key is to give yourself permission to return without guilt. Our adult dance classes in Brookhaven are designed for real people with real lives. Drop in when you can. Build consistency over time, not overnight.
5. Connect Your Goal to Something Bigger
Why does movement matter to you? Maybe it's about:
Reconnecting with a part of yourself you've lost touch with
Building strength and confidence as you age
Finding a creative outlet that isn't tied to work or family
Proving to yourself that you're capable of trying new things
When your goal is connected to a deeper "why," it's easier to stick with it when motivation wanes.
What Movement That Actually Feels Good Looks Like
At Brookhaven Dance, we teach adult ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, and more. Not because we think you need to master every style, but because everyone deserves to find the kind of movement that resonates with them.
For some people, that's the structure and elegance of ballet. For others, it's the energy and attitude of hip hop. Some people love the expressive freedom of contemporary. And some just want to be in a room with other people, moving to music that keeps them coming back.
Movement that works looks like:
Showing up in clothes that make you comfortable, not self-conscious
Laughing when you mess up instead of spiraling into shame
Feeling your body get stronger without obsessing over appearance
Looking forward to class instead of dreading it
Leaving with more energy than you walked in with
If your current routine (or lack of one) doesn't feel like that, it's okay to try something different. You don't owe your January self anything except kindness.
Your Invitation: Start This Year Differently
So here's your invitation.
Forget the all-or-nothing resolutions. Forget the pressure to transform overnight. Forget the idea that you have to punish your body into submission.
This year, choose movement that feels good. Set goals that honor where you are right now. Build confidence through dance, one class at a time, in a space where you're welcomed exactly as you are.
At Brookhaven Dance, we offer adult dance classes for every level, from absolute beginners to those returning after years away. You don't need experience. You don't need to be in perfect shape. You just need to be curious.
Ready to start?
Try a drop-in class to see how it feels (no commitment required)
Explore class packs or memberships if you're ready to make it a regular part of your routine
Bring a friend - movement is always more fun with company!
Because this year isn't about becoming someone new. It's about remembering who you've always been — and moving like you mean it.
Find Adult Dance Classes Near Me in Brookhaven, GA
Looking for adult dance classes near you? Brookhaven Dance offers beginner-friendly classes in ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, and more. Our studio in Brookhaven, GA serves dancers from Dunwoody, Chamblee, Sandy Springs, and the greater Atlanta area.
Whether you're looking to build confidence through dance, achieve your movement goals, or simply find a welcoming community, we're here for you.
Visit us: 1350 Dresden Dr. NE, Brookhaven, GA
Explore classes: brookhavendance.com/class-schedule
Let's make this the year you move because it feels good, not because you have to.
