New Year, Same Old Me: A Different Approach to Resolutions
Welcome beautiful 2024! I want to wish you a happy New Year. I want to talk about resolutions, or rather, anti-resolutions. You see, I don't want you to set any resolutions this year.
Resolutions have become a common tradition at the start of a new year. We hear about them everywhere - on social media, in apps, and even in conversations with friends and family. But did you know that less than three percent of people accomplish their New Year's resolutions? It's a staggeringly low number that makes you wonder why we continue to set them year after year.
The truth is, that humans hate to fail. And yet, we continue to set ourselves up for failure with resolutions that we know deep down we probably won't achieve. We get caught up in the new year, new me energy, and hope that this time will be different. But more often than not, we end up feeling disappointed and down on ourselves when we don't meet our goals.
So, instead of setting resolutions, I have a different approach for you. For over a decade, I have been using words as my guide for the year. I choose one or two, at most three, words that represent how I want to feel and what I want to focus on. And let me tell you, it has been absolutely transformational.
Here's how you can do it too:
Download the cheat sheet: This cheat sheet give you a long list of value words - I know that the list is long, but better to have too many options than none. Take some time to go through the list and circle or write down the words that speak to you for this year. Think about how you want to feel and what you want to focus on, rather than specific goals.
Narrow down your list: From the words you circled or wrote down, choose one to three words that resonate with you the most. It can be challenging to narrow it down, but having too many words will dilute their impact.
Define your words: Take the time to define what each word means to you personally. Write out what it means to you and why it's important. This will give your words depth and meaning.
Once you have your words, here's how you can use them throughout the year:
Make decisions: Use your words as a guide when making decisions. Consult them and ask yourself, "What would my word tell me about this decision?" This will help you stay aligned with your values and make choices that are in line with what you want.
Influence your behavior: Let your words influence the way you behave and show up in the world. Use them as a reminder to be authentic, kind, or whatever values you have chosen. Ask yourself, "How does my word influence the way I show up in this situation?"
Hold yourself accountable: Use your words as a way to hold yourself accountable to yourself. When faced with challenges or tempted to break promises to yourself, ask yourself, "What would my word tell me?" This will help you stay true to your values and build self-trust.
To make your words even more powerful, put them in places where you'll see them every day. Write them in your journal, put them on your fridge or mirror, or even set them as your phone or computer screensaver. This constant reminder will help you stay grounded and focused throughout the year.
I am excited to hear what words you have chosen for this year. Share them with me on our Instagram page, respond to the comments section below, or shoot me an email. Let's support each other in this journey of personal growth and transformation.
Remember, this approach is gentler and more encouraging than traditional resolutions. It allows you to focus on what truly matters to you and make meaningful changes in your life. So, let go of the "shoulds" and embrace a new year, same old you, but with a little more focus and intention.
Note: This blog post is based on the transcript of the Mental Makeover Radio podcast episode. To listen to the full episode:
To access the cheat sheet, visit www.ceciliamanella.com/wordsof2024.
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