New Year’s resolutions are a time-honored tradition we’ve practiced for decades. From goals and aspirations to ongoing to-do lists, resolutions have proven successful for many in the past. However, have we officially come to the point where New Year’s resolutions are, played out?
After living through a pandemic, setting a list of goals at the top of each year is no longer necessary. Even though setting out to accomplish certain tasks can be crucial for our growth, setting resolutions are counterproductive– here’s why.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over this past year, it’s that things don’t always go according to plan. I’ve also learned that it’s okay when they don’t. Sometimes, we may not meet a certain goal we’ve set for ourselves. When that happens, it can be easy to get wrapped up in all of the things we haven’t accomplished yet. It’s important to remember to look at all of the things we do have.
Setting New Year’s resolutions makes the work you’ve done the previous year seem unimportant. It’s like saying they no longer matter and it’s time to keep striving for more. Doing this is very harmful. If we constantly keep looking ahead for what’s to come in the future, how can we ever be appreciative of the present moment?
Ahead, are a few things you can do instead of making resolutions for the new year that are self-talk friendly and can actually help you achieve all of the things you’ve planned for yourself in an effectively loving way.
Create Gratitude Lists For The Things You Have Already Accomplished
It’s easy for us to constantly strive for more rather than appreciating the things we do have and have already accomplished. Instead of getting yourself wrapped up in all of the things you need to do for yourself, try creating gratitude lists instead of resolutions. Doing so will improve the way you speak to yourself. This can actually help you achieve more because you already appreciate what you currently have.
Be In The Present Moment And Allow What Is, To Just Be
Rather than looking ahead for what you should be doing in the future, try embracing what currently are. This will allow you to plan your goals more effectively. It also helps you set goals in a more compassionate, loving way. Therefore, if you don’t meet the goals you’ve set for yourself, you’ll give yourself more love and grace.
Make Your Resolutions Realistically Attainable
Why is it that when we make resolutions, the ones we make seem so far out of reach? Oftentimes, we make resolutions that are not always attainable in the timeframe that we’ve set for them. So instead of making resolutions that seem impossible to reach, start small. Rome wasn’t built in a day!
View The Journey To Your Goals As More Important Than The Destination
When wanting to become better people, we often focus on the destination rather than the lessons we are meant to learn on the way. This is counterproductive because if we don’t learn the lessons, how can we improve? Instead of focusing on the end game, focus on the bigger picture of what the journey will teach you. Although practicing discipline can be hard, it’s extremely beneficial for learning patience.
Take Breaks From Achieving Your Goals
If we’re constantly striving for our goals all of the time, it can be hard for us to be reflective on the things we may need to change our pivot. Sometimes, our plan to achieve may have to change every now and then, and that’s perfectly fine.