Why You Don't Need A New Year's Resolution
Why You Don't Need A New Year's Resolution
As the New Year approaches, many begin contemplating resolutions. These resolutions often take the form of some major life transformation, promising to change your life for the better. Suddenly, it’s February, and life is catching up with you. You've ditched your resolutions, and now you feel like a failure. Research shows that over 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by mid-February. Rather than setting yourself up for disappointment, here are three reasons why you might be better off skipping resolutions this year:
1. Resolutions set unrealistic expectations.
Just because it's a new year does not mean you have to change everything about yourself. The goals we set out on New Year’s are often overly ambitious without the proper systems in place to achieve them. Unrealistic expectations of massive changes at the flip of a calendar page can leave you discouraged instead of motivated. Oftentimes, the resolutions we think we need to set are not aligned with our values. If you’re looking to set goals, take some time to think about why these goals are important to you and make sure to start small and work yourself up.
2. Every day is a chance to improve yourself.
New Year’s resolutions are flawed to begin with. There's no real reason January 1st has to be the start date for changes we want to make in our lives. Begin new goals when it makes sense for you. If you want to improve your relationships, career, or health, you can start at any time! Use each new day as an opportunity to integrate better habits into your life, rather than postponing self-improvement plans for the new year.
3. Intentions matter more than resolutions.
Setting reasonable intentions allows for flexibility when life inevitably interferes. An intention simply means making a conscious decision to shift behavior, thoughts or attitudes. Intentions can adapt as situations change, whereas resolutions set strict and often unrealistic expectations. Focus more on setting better intentions for incremental improvement and less on the resolution with a fixed deadline.
This New Year, instead of making resolutions, write down a list of everything you accomplished in the past year. It is so important to remember how far you’ve come and use the new year as a reminder of all you have already achieved.
Having goals for the future is not a bad thing, but if you want to make changes, do it from a place of self-love rather than outside pressures. The new year offers a chance for reflection and renewed hope. However, you don’t need a new year’s resolution to make the most of it. Use the momentum and motivation of a fresh start without being limited by a strict resolution. Be gentle with yourself, focus on progress over perfection, and turn over a new leaf at your own pace.
If you are experiencing challenges this holiday season or are looking for a space to continue your personal growth, we are here to support. Schedule your free 15 minute consultation today.
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