New Years Resolutions and Fresh Starts

The holiday season is coming to an end, and for many, it feels as though life may be returning to some state of normalcy. January, though cold, is a beautiful time to start writing a new chapter, or start finishing up the last one. Many of you may have even participated in the traditions of New Year's Resolutions, Dry January, or burning notes. As beautiful as these traditions may be, it's important to remember these acts are rituals— that is, they are supposed to be celebratory, they are supposed to help facilitate joy, wellness, and ultimately community into the new year, not stress and self-esteem issues. The beginning of the calendar year is a great time to make positive changes, but it’s not inherently a better time than any other ordinary day. Don’t let pressure to grow stop you. Learn how to use it to your advantage!
 
The bitter truth is that most resolutions fail. The good news is that yours won't.
 
This is because most resolutions fail due to their rigid and out-come focused nature. That is, try to set goals for yourself that prioritize identity-based growth, rather than ones which require external verifications of success. For example, shifting from ‘I would like to lose weight,’ can be shifted to ‘I would like to exercise more often.’ And, ‘I would like to read x amount of books,’ will prove to be more successful when reimagined as ‘I would like to develop the habit of reading before bed.’ ‘I will get a promotion this year,’ for example, is a goal that offers no personal benefits. Look inwards, ‘I would like to find more excitement in my work,’ may be a more fulfilling and successful perspective with the same end goal.
 
The most common resolution is prioritizing health and weight loss, but rather than setting a specific amount of days to hit the gym, try intuitive movement when it comes to you. Intuitive movement can mean dancing, walking in nature or with loved ones, or simply stretching without timers and routines. Rather than starting the newest diet or counting your calories, try choosing foods that leave you feeling strong and energized.
 
Ultimately, focus on small habits. Switch your perspective from ‘what do I want,’ to ‘who do I want to become.’ Don’t set goals for yourself that only require one bad day to destroy your pursuits. Growth is a spiral staircase, not a straight line. And if you break or have already broken your resolution, rethink your intentions and remember that tomorrow is a brand new day that's never been touched.
                                                                                                -Kate Albert