New Year’s Resolutions

Hello again, and happy 2020! We’re not only beginning a new year, but a new decade, which can come with some innate pressure to make changes and be better than you were, before. While I’m all about self-improvement, I get concerned around this time of year with the constant talk of improvement, because to me, that discounts the hard work you have put in thus far to get where you are today. Not to mention, it can be defeating for some individuals who are struggling to maintain their baseline, and don’t have the energy to think about making positive changes beyond that. 

So, where’s the line between over-ambition and realistic goals? 

From my perspective, I think new goals at the new year (or decade) can be helpful and meaningful, if they are thoughtfully considered and have a strong reasoning for why the change needs to happen. What does this mean, really? Make sure you are making changes for yourself, not someone else. More often than not, if you are making changes for another (i.e. my spouse wants me to fix up the house every Saturday this year) then chances are, it won’t be something worth sticking to. However, if the motivation is fueled by your own hopes and desires, it is much more likely to stick (i.e. I want to sell this house in a few years and completing a home improvement project once a month will increase its value). 

One thing to keep in mind is that this is the most common time of year for us to be flooded with ideas that our bodies are not good enough. Social media, tabloids, and even the news pushes us to try a new diet or weight-loss trend, cut out the harmful flavor of the week, and follow the notorious “new year, new me” pattern. While many of us can make changes in our lives to be healthier, again I would challenge you to identify why you are interested in doing something along these lines – a cleanse, dry January, etc. Perhaps these changes are exactly what you need! The most important thing is to be aware of your own body and how you’re responding to what you’re trying, while also understanding that restriction in our lives can lead to binging later, whether that’s restricting food, social media, or sleep.

Did any of this strike a chord with you? Perhaps you’re looking to more clearly identify how you can work toward your goals this year in a healthy, realistic, and attainable way. Please reach out if this is you! Counseling can be a great place to identify what aspects of your life you would like to change, and specifically how you can go about doing that while also having support from an unbiased third party as you navigate these changes.

Enjoy the rush of excitement that comes with the new decade!

Meagan

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational and educational purposes, and is not to be used as a substitute for a therapeutic relationship, individualized mental healthcare, or medical healthcare.