How can the concept of New Year’s resolutions negatively impact our mental health? We all know the drill. Every January, we reflect on the year that’s passed and think about the ways we want to improve ourselves in the coming one. We make big plans and declare that this will be the year we finally lose those extra pounds, save more money, or get promoted at work. But come February, most of us have already given up on our well-meaning resolutions. Why is that?
Resolutions are often not specific enough
Part of the problem is that we set ourselves up for failure by making resolutions that are too vague or unattainable. For example, a resolution to “lose weight” is much less likely to be successful than a resolution to “lose 10 pounds.” Similarly, a resolution to “save money” is less likely to succeed than a resolution to “save $50 per week.”
But even if our resolutions are specific and achievable, we’re still not very likely to stick to them. That’s because most of us approach our resolutions from a place of lack—lack of self-love, lack of motivation, lack of discipline. We believe that we need to change ourselves to be happy when in reality, lasting happiness comes from acceptance and self-love.
Regularly taking stock of your life is essential for maintaining mental health and well-being. It allows you to identify areas causing stress or dissatisfaction and make changes accordingly. It can also help you to appreciate the good things in your life and set realistic goals for the future. So if you’re feeling lost or stuck, don’t be afraid to take some time for soul-searching. A little reflection and re-evaluation may just be what you need to get back on track.
Why you should re-evaluate things instead
So what should you do instead of making New Year’s resolutions? Re-evaluate your life and set intentions for the coming year. Rather than focus solely on how you want to change yourself, take some time to reflect on what’s working well in your life, what you’d like to see more of, and some things that may not be working for you. Reevaluating your life doesn’t have to be an extensive, formal process. It can be as simple as taking time each day to reflect on your past choices and how they’ve affected your life.
What were your biggest accomplishments last year? What did you learn from your mistakes? What are your goals for the year ahead? Asking yourself these kinds of questions can help you get clarity on what’s important to you and where you want to focus your energy. It can also help you let go of old patterns that no longer serve you. Taking a good, hard look at your life may seem daunting, but it’s pretty simple. Taking stock of what works for you and being honest about what needs to change can help you to make changes in your life and set yourself up for a successful year ahead.
Tips on accomplishing your goals
It can be difficult to stick to your goals, especially if you’re trying to make a major change in your life. However, there are some things you can do to increase your chances of success. First, it’s important to have a clear plan of what you want to achieve. Write down your goals and break them into small, manageable steps. Having a specific plan will make it more likely that you’ll stay on track.
Second, tell your friends and family about your goals and ask for their support. Having someone to hold you accountable and encourage you when you’re feeling discouraged can be helpful. Finally, give yourself permission to make mistakes. No one is perfect, and setbacks are part of the process of change. Be patient with yourself and keep focusing on your long-term goal. With effort and determination, you can reach any goal you set your mind to.
Be intentional in your goals
Many people set goals, but few achieve them. Why is this? Often, people set goals that are either too vague or too unrealistic. Without a clear plan and a realistic timeframe, it’s easy to get discouraged and give up. This is why it’s so important to be intentional in setting goals. When you’re setting a goal, ask yourself what you want to achieve and why it’s important to you. What steps will you need to take to reach your goal? And finally, what is your timeline for achieving your goal?
Answering these questions will help you create specific and achievable goals. Remember, the key to success is taking small, consistent steps each day. You’ll be surprised at what you can accomplish when you’re intentional about reaching your goals. While it can be exciting to plan ahead and think about all of the changes you want to make, it’s important not to get overwhelmed or discouraged by the process. Remember that progress takes time, and there is no better way to keep yourself motivated than staying positive and believing in your ability to make meaningful changes.
Therapy can help you on the path to success
When setting goals, it’s important to set yourself up for success; therapy can be a great way to do this. A therapist can provide guidance and support as you navigate the process of change, helping you stay focused on your goals and empowering you to make lasting changes. Therapy can also help you identify unhealthy patterns that may be holding you back from reaching your goals.
With the help of a professional, you can learn to develop more effective coping strategies and gain insight into the motivations behind your actions. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure of how to move forward, consider reaching out to a therapist near you for help. With their guidance, you will be able to reach your goals and achieve the life that you deserve.
How to get the most out of therapy
If you’re considering adding therapy to your goals for the upcoming year, you should keep a few things in mind. First, be clear about what you hope to achieve in therapy. Do you want to learn how to manage your anxiety? Improve your communication skills? Change some unhealthy behaviors? Once you have a goal in mind, you can work with your therapist to create a plan of action.
Keep in mind that therapy is a journey, not a destination. Just like any other goal, it will take time and effort to see results. But if you’re patient and committed, therapy can help you achieve lasting change. Serene Health has various behavioral health and mental health services that can help you make positive changes in your life. We also offer therapy online from our telehealth platform so that you can benefit from therapy no matter where you are. To learn more about our services, call us at 844-737-3638 or visit www.serenehealth.com to book an appointment.