2022 marks the beginning of a new year – and a flurry of ambitious New Year’s resolutions – but many people aren’t feeling very optimistic this year.
2 years into a pandemic that many of us thought would last a few months, millions of people are feeling burnt out and exhausted. The idea of 2022 being a fresh start seems far-fetched.
If you’re feeling pandemic-induced fatigue and hopelessness – you’re not alone. And we’re here to remind you that it’s okay to take a break from making a New Year’s resolution this year. In fact, we might be better off without them anyway.
Putting extra pressure on yourself after this incredibly exhausting year may only add to your mental fatigue. Instead, we encourage you to spend the new year celebrating yourself and all that you’ve overcome this year.
Where New Year’s Resolutions Go Wrong
While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to better yourself, new year’s resolutions can hurt your mental health if you’re not careful.
Mistake 1: You make lofty and unrealistic goals
Making lofty and unrealistic goals lead to disappointment and frustration. Failed resolutions can make us feel bad about ourselves and make it hard to cope in our day-to-day lives.
We set ourselves up for failure when we make goals that are too large and overwhelming. It can actually discourage us from reaching smaller, more manageable goals in the meantime.
Mistake 2: You make New Year’s resolutions that don’t align with your values
Many people make resolutions based on what they feel they “should” be doing. What ends up happening is you make resolutions that aren’t in line with what you really want.
When you choose to strive for things without considering what you actually want, you end up choosing things that you don’t have motivation to accomplish. This again sets us up for failure, and it distracts us from listening to what our mind and body truly desire.
Mistake 3: You aren’t ready to make a change
Change is not something that happens because of an arbitrary date. Before making a resolution, ask yourself honestly if you are ready to take the steps and do the work required to make that change.
Pushing yourself to change before you’re ready can lead to cycles of disappointment and shame. If you haven’t overcome the mental blocks and barriers that are preventing you from change, honor where you’re at in your process. It’s okay to not be ready.
What To Do Instead of Making a New Year’s Resolution
You might be asking, so what should I do instead? This year, we propose finding the time to pause, reflect, and celebrate yourself.
Be Gentler With Yourself
If these past couple of years have taught us anything, it’s that there are a lot of things in life we don’t have control of. But one thing we are in control of is how much grace we give ourselves.
Are you dealing with emotional exhaustion, feeling a lack of motivation, or grieving a loss? The difficulties we’ve faced in the last year make it more important than ever to be gentle with ourselves right now and throughout the year.
Being kind to yourself can help boost your happiness and confidence – which can actually help you create lasting, positive change in your life.
So give yourself room for mistakes and imperfections. Release yourself from unnecessary pressures and stop beating yourself up when you mess up.
Practice Gratitude
Rather than focusing on what we could be doing better, why not try cultivating a practice of gratitude instead?
Gratitude has been scientifically proven to increase happiness, empathy, and resilience. It also has been shown to improve physical health and reduce depression.
The power of gratitude is far-reaching, and this is the perfect time to reflect on what you’ve been grateful for this past year.
Journaling can help you get in touch with your gratitude. We sometimes take for granted things we’re grateful for or forget to acknowledge them. Writing it down on paper helps you consciously appreciate what fills you up.
Allow Yourself to Just “Be”
It’s hard to get away from “self-optimization” culture these days. Everyone is always trying to be better, happier, and more productive. The new year really ramps up these feelings in our society, and it can make you feel as if you’re not doing enough.
If you’re exhausted from trying to keep up – that’s perfectly normal. Humans are not endless self-improvement projects. And the new year does not mean we have to become a new us. We are enough just as we are.
This year, let’s focus on accepting ourselves – imperfections and all – and giving our minds and bodies the rest that it deserves.
Celebrate Your Wins
When we spend so much of the new year fixating on what’s to come, we often forget to celebrate what we’ve accomplished. Look back on the past year to identify things you did that made you proud – no matter how big or small.
Reflecting on what you’ve done really well, ways in which you’ve grown or changed, and moments that made you proud can build up your confidence going into the new year.
Looking back and realizing how much you’ve accomplished gives you a nice reminder of what you’re capable of.
We Are Here to Help
Got the New Year’s blues? You’re not alone. With convenient locations in the Georgetown and Liberty hill area, our licensed professionals are here to help.
You call, we match you. It really is that simple. Give us a call today.
On your side,
Jenna
