As we step into a new year, many of us find ourselves jotting down resolutions – aspirations for positive change and personal growth. We applaud anyone taking steps for growth and finding ways to better themselves. The beginning of the year often marks a period of reflection and a commitment to self-improvement. Whether it's adopting healthier habits, pursuing a new skill, or fostering stronger relationships, resolutions are expressions of our desire for positive changes. However, setting goals when everywhere you look is telling you to set resolutions can feel daunting. There’s a lot of pressure to change your life around and start new hobbies during this time.
Friendly reminder: you are under no obligation to change anything about yourself.
The heightened pressure associated with societal expectations can lead to increased anxiety or even depression. Resolutions, while well-intentioned, can contribute to this pressure and make individuals feel like failures when faced with seemingly unattainable goals.
It’s also okay if your resolutions come across detours along the way. If you’re struggling to keep your New Year resolutions, did you know there is science to back it up? Humans, like many creatures in nature, have evolved to sync with the seasons. Winter, a time of shorter days and longer nights, invites us to slow down, rest, and rejuvenate. It's during this period of rest that we gather the energy needed to embrace new routines, especially as spring emerges. So, next time you beat yourself up for not sticking 100% to your goals – give yourself grace! Your body could be just needing rest, and rest is just as important.
However, we are still rooting for you to find improvements in your life. You may just need to be more intentional and break down “why” this is important to you.
Tips for being more intentional with your goals:
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Make is measurable
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Instead of saying, “I want to be happier,” or "I want to be healthier,” maybe your strategy is, “I'm going to do one fun thing every week,” or “I'm going to go to the gym four days a week for 25 minutes at a time.”
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Break it down
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When we start to set short-term objectives that feel like they're much more doable and we start to see progress, that progress keeps us motivated, so we're more likely to stick to them.
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Ease into new habits
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Instead of creating a bunch of new habits, which can be daunting and hard to maintain, try habit stacking! Where you add a new habit to an old habit. (Shoutout to the book Atomic Habits for the tips on habit stacking)
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Track your progress
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The act of writing it down and seeing it on paper raises our awareness and tends to motivate us.
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Be kind to yourself
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No explanation needed. :)
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If you are looking to set new goals and build a different life for yourself, do it for yourself, not because society is telling you to. In the pursuit of personal growth, remember that your journey is your own! Do what works for you and how you want to reach your goals. Enjoy the journey, and don’t look at setbacks as failures; instead, look at them as growth. We are cheering you on every step of the way. Here’s to a year of intentional growth and self-discovery.
Need extra support this new year? Contact us here.
