You know the drill—we count it down, the ball drops, (maybe you get a smooch) we all look towards the year with rose colored glasses, and then! … life happens.
Maybe by the time the ball dropped this weekend you’d already started on your resolution for the year. Or maybe not … because that’s a lot of pressure to put on yourself immediately after celebrating two back-to-back holidays. If you struggle making and keeping these massive goals, you’re certainly not alone. That’s why we’re suggesting an alternative way to do the traditional, single, New Year’s Resolution. Instead of diving into the year head first, let’s walk in methodically, confidently, and with a long-term game plan.
Instead of trying to do one massive overhaul on your life and inevitably feeling like a failure when you can’t stick with it by February 1st, try changing your life one piece at a time with mini-resolutœ™¡ions. Focus on one change each month, see how you enjoy the adjustments, and then move onto the next while carrying along what you just learned. This way you’ll be able to focus on the steady progress you’re making instead of on how much further you’re slipping from that grand idea of a goal you set your heart on.
One of the biggest issues with Year-Long Resolutions is how generalized they are. You might want to overhaul your finances, gain muscle, travel more, learn a new skill etc. And while those are all great changes to make, they all require several steps to accomplish. Often times, we aren’t too kind with ourselves when we make these big goals. Without taking into consideration upcoming projects, travel, ongoing and expected stressors, we don’t give ourselves the time or tools to make them remotely possible. So if you’re hoping to make a larger change over the course of the year, give yourself the tools to make it happen by adding something new each month.
For Example: Year-Long Goal is to Get Organized
January: Organize Your Schedule: Find a planner that works for you (paper, digital, etc.) and learn how to use it. Watch tutorials online and set aside time once a week to plan out your days.
February: Organize Your Home (or even just one room): Clear out any unused, unwanted, or unnecessary clutter from your home. Make donations, sell items on Facebook and prioritize only what you need. Invest in closet/pantry/space organizers to make the most of what you have.
March: Organize Your Meals: Plan your week of meals, whether that means meal prepping or just meal planning. Set aside time to create a weekly menu, shopping list, and cooking list.
Or, if you’re just looking to make positive changes without a larger goal in mind, stay present and committed to working on yourself year round by focusing on different areas of your life each month.
For Example: Independent Resolutions by Month
January: Refresh. Sort out any old clothes, books, decor, etc. that don’t have a place in your home anymore. Clear out clutter and make room for the new.
February: Get Moving. Add some form of movement to your day whether that’s active stretching, daily walks, or fitness classes. Find friends to join you!
March: Reflect. Write in a journal daily. Start keeping track of thoughts, ideas, and feelings. Notice how they change as the month goes on and you become more used to getting them on paper.
The good news is, there are no rules and no consequences—whatever changes you hope to make this year are entirely up to you and can be implemented as fast or slow as you need. And remember, the changes you make are always for your own benefit and growth. Your life doesn’t need to look like that influencer you follow to be ideal—because let’s be honest, their life probably doesn’t look like that either!
Happy New Year to you all—let’s enjoy the journey, step by step 🥂
