2022: What is the Theme of Your New Year?
We’ve all seen it before, the hashtags (#NewYearNewMe), the goals, the resolutions, the promises of change. We live in a world and culture where we are expected to constantly change physically and mentally, and what better time to make those changes than the new year. It is likely that we have all attempted to make some large change at the start of a new year - I know I have. Whether it’s to lose the excess pounds we gained throughout the year or to quit a bad habit, we start the year with high hopes and confidence that we will succeed and accomplish our resolutions. This is due to a mix of seeing others succeed at resolutions and due to our history of multiple attempts at resolutions self-change. You may successfully follow a new diet for a few weeks or you may give up coffee for a month, however, these successes are all too often followed by relapses because let’s be honest, resolutions are difficult and we often end up returning to our previous state (because coffee is delicious). This previous state is usually filled with self-criticism, self-blame, hopelessness, and a significant decrease in our confidence. It may start to feel as if failure is easier to achieve than success when we can’t achieve our resolutions.
Self-change attempts and resolutions do bring some positivity to our lives, otherwise, we wouldn’t attempt to make any changes. When we set a resolution and embark on a self-change attempt, we are hoping for some type of reward. These rewards can be positive for mental health and overall-well being, but let’s discuss a few ways that we can more easily keep these resolutions throughout the entire year to avoid the relapse and the not-so-great feelings that come with it.
Ask yourself these questions:
Are my resolutions realistic?
Are they achievable for ME?
How could I make this more realistic? More achievable?
If your answer to the first two questions is “no,” it’s time to change your idea of what the new year and resolutions mean to you. Instead of setting resolutions or goals, what would it be like to set a theme for your life and your year? Do you want to be more intentional in your interactions and relationships? Do you want to be more accepting of yourself? Do you want to read more? Do you want to be more kind to yourself? Do you want to be more forgiving? Notice the difference between these themes and more concrete and often difficult goals such as “lose 15 pounds,” “read 1 book every month.” Setting a theme for your life and year is more realistic and achievable as it allows for flexibility and is free from self-criticism. Themes are a great way to start your year off right and the reward that comes from these themes will help grow your confidence.
Above all else, take time to celebrate yourself and your resiliency over the last year and what’s to come. You have overcome another year and another phase of the pandemic. Celebrate your ability to adapt to the ever changing world and the demands of your job, your family, and your life. No matter your theme for the next year, focus on beginning this year well with an achievable theme and open-mind.
We are here and available for you if you want someone to walk alongside you as you anticipate the year ahead and are curious about what theme you are embracing for 2022.