New Year. Same me. And that’s okay.
I am not a huge fan of New Year’s Resolutions. In the past I would start off the New Year with such excitement and enthusiasm. Somewhere down the road (*cough* middle of January *cough*), stress and overwhelm crept back in and disrupted the balance of my life. Some of the shiny and sparkle of my resolution would fade. And then it would completely fizzle out.
I can think of a variety of reasons that I ditched my resolutions: lack of commitment, lack of patience, lack of interest, lack of clarity, or simply life happened– and another “thing” needed my attention.
But there was a bigger reason why I stopped creating New Year’s Resolutions. If I didn’t achieve the goal that I set out to reach…well, that felt crappier than if I would have just stayed stuck. I was left feeling discontent with my life situation and worse about my ability to create change. It was like an emotional, mental, and spiritual hangover from
So, I did what most people have done. I ditched setting New Year’s Resolutions. That felt defiant and liberating at the same time. Like I was completely in control of me. DING. Light bulb moment. I needed to tweak my meaning of what a New Year represents to me. It has been various things at various times depending on what was happening within my work or personal life.
Review the previous year, write out ways to improve or increase positive outcomes, then do it
Create a word or phrase to use as a guide for the year
Add a positive activity to my daily/weekly/monthly calendar
Learn one new thing from the important people in everyday life
Create a bucket list for the year
Complete a 21- or 30-day challenge
Carve out time monthly to practice a skill that needs a boost
Create a Vision Board for one aspect (or all aspects) of life
Say the words “I love to network and market my practice” until I don’t feel queasy saying it (okay, that one I never did)
I give myself permission to create whatever end or beginning of the year ritual I want…or not. And boy, does that feel good. When I give myself permission to do it my own way; not only does the excitement and enthusiasm last but I achieve what I set out to achieve–because it’s meaningful. Meaningful to me. There is no defiance just liberation.
So, if New Year’s Resolutions feel good to you—create one of your own (or use one from the list). If Resolutions do not feel good–ditch them. Be defiant and liberate yourself. Be the you that feels good for you. Just remember if you do create a New Year’s Resolution, only share it with people who have your best interest at heart.
If you need a boost or support, set up appointment and we will create a plan for you to move forward. Or if you are soooo ready to dive right in to creating a change in your life check out my new self-paced course on MemberVault: https://riversjourneywellness.vipmembervault.com/teaser/
