Caution Ahead: Reflection with a Touch of Sarcasm
by Lisa Kjeseth
It’s almost the end of the year and the beginning of a new one. We know this because of the calendar but also because of all the advertisements in our face “New Year, new you.” “Here’s to new beginnings.” “Make 2025 your year.” “What are your plans for 2025?” The list goes on and on. And cue the heightened anxiety.
What if you turned the resolution on its head? I challenge you to switch out the word ‘resolution’ for ‘intention.’ What if you made a plan to add some new intentions to your life this next year? The word resolution is so final, intentions are much kinder and allows for humanness. Additionally not every plan for the new year has to do with our waist line. Maybe it has to do with overall lasting health? Hmmm, a resolution not tied to a billion dollar industry?....... Did I catch your attention?
How about trying to set monthly intentions in the new year, instead of a massive goal. Here is my proposal example: ‘January I will go to bed one hour earlier than my normal time to ensure I get enough sleep.’ People are often surprised with how much better they feel with proper sleep. Maybe you pair that with doubling your water intake for the day? Does that seem like something you can do for one month and see how you feel?
By month two/February these small changes can become habits and you have not had to turn your life upside down. Then set an additional intention for February. Maybe this one includes cutting your doom scrolling time in half and picking up a book? Come March that is a habit and you have completed a book from your crowded shelf. Research shows that most resolutions are done by the second week in February. Looking at our intentions here you are well on your way in the third month of lasting change.
When picking your specific intentions think about total wellness, not just your weight or sweating at the gym. Think about different aspects of wellness such as: spiritual, emotional, physical, ecological, social, financial when setting your monthly intentions. Bring a few friends onboard with you to make it fun and have encouragement. Other ideas for monthly intentions could include:
Taking your vitamins daily
Schedule a consultation with a therapist
Join a support group
Practice gratitude
Journalling
Add creativity: paint, doodle, photography, graphic art
Take a short walk everyday
Read Poetry
Wake up on the first alarm
Spiritual Practices: Pray, meditate, go to church/community
Increase your vegetable intake daily
Save your Starbucks coffee money
Declutter a small area in your home
Meatless Mondays (for us carnivores)
Schedule that annual physical (the one you haven't scheduled since pre Covid, no judgement)
Call that friend you have been meaning to see
Do stretching (morning, lunch, midday, night whenever just do it)
The important thing to consider is that you can take bite size changes to make long term changes that have a big impact on your life. As we say in the therapy room, “how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” Last tip, don’t start your resolution on January 1, give yourself a day or two post the holiday to start these intentions. Over the next few days take an appraisal of your life and things you want to incorporate in daily or weekly. Then you can look back at 2025 as a great year of intentions; incorporated. What intentions do you want to set for the new year?
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