I’m cringing right now. Here I am putting yet another article out into the world about New Year’s resolutions, when most of them are abandoned six weeks into the new year! The word “resolution” seems to be like the word “diet”-great for a while but then no one can keep up. It’s like they’re made to be broken, and often, we make the same resolutions year after year. The truth is that as a therapist, I have faith in people. I know we can accomplish what we set out to do and that we have the power to change our lives. I have a theory though, that we’re going about this resolution thing all wrong.
How about we starting changing the resolutions we make altogether? Instead of quitting a bad habit, let’s start new habits. Instead of setting lofty goals and beating ourselves up when we fail, let’s take baby steps and admire our progress when we check off an entire list of little achievements. Let’s look at the big picture and make resolutions that matter, things that will make us proud, regardless of whether we get recognition from other people.
Need some inspiration? Think about what you wanted as a kid, before society planted seeds of what you should want and who you should be in order to be “successful” and happy. Create a vision board or an unfiltered, stream of consciousness list of all of the big picture ideas you have for your life. Now take that laundry list and break it into micro-goals. Consider chatting with a therapist to help you organize and prioritize your ideas. Here’s a list of small, achievable resolutions you might want to try in the coming year:
- Put your reusable bags in your vehicle and remember to use them.
- Leave your desk for lunch, even if just to walk around the building.
- Hire a babysitter once a month, even if you don’t have anywhere to go.
- Put your phone on “do not disturb” mode (You’ll still be able to receive emergency calls.) from the hours of 10pm to 6am.
- Volunteer for any non-profit organization at least once this year.
- Practice breathing from your belly while doing the dishes or taking a shower.
- Set your alarm clock for 15 minutes earlier.
- Go to be 15 minutes earlier.
- Park farther back in the parking lot.
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Once a month, go somewhere you have never been, even if just in your city.
- Get in your family photos instead of staying behind the camera.
- Delegate and ask for help.
- Say no.
- When your kids drive you nuts, put YOURSELF in time out for five minutes to cool down.
- Ask whether you really need the thing you are about to buy.
- Talk to your parents more often.
- Find a way to let the elderly people in your life know they are not forgotten.
- Eat at least one serving of fruits and vegetables with every meal.
- Treat your own health with as much care as you treat your kids’ (i.e. don’t skip your doctors and dentist appointments.)
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