New Year Resolutions?

We were having tea with our neighbor yesterday who was talking about her New Year resolutions.

I was reminded of how often we make these ambitious statements to ourselves and then in a few months we get discouraged and anxious (“I’ll never really be able to do that!”), or life has taken over and we are preoccupied with what seems more important. Or maybe those old habits just don’t want to let go. We feel overwhelmed, even depressed that we cannot seem to stick to that diet, change that relationship, find that new job. Does this all feel like a setup?

Maybe there is a different way to approach this. We all want to make changes, but judging yourself for not achieving that New Year’s resolution could deepen anxiety or depression symptoms. You don’t have to pressure yourself to feel more alive and happy!

Instead I might encourage clients to visualize themselves in a year and how they generally want to feel, rather than just the specifics. Also a goal can be broken down into ‘baby steps”; feeling small achievements along the way encourages you to stick to it. Being mindful of small victories helps you to build confidence for the bigger picture. Changing old habits (like anxious or depressed thinking styles) is hard, and you may need someone to support your steps and hold you accountable.

I can coach and encourage you to find joy in the process, rather than focusing on just the end result. Many folks also have great results with my Hypnosis treatment. The tools of Mindfulness (look for these trainings I offer), self affirmation, the practice of Gratitude for small achievements along the way- all these can help you avoid feeling let down in later months!