It’s easy to get caught up in the hype of a new year, and many people set lofty resolutions for themselves. But, unfortunately, “life happens” and many times we find ourselves not being able to keep those same resolutions. That doesn’t mean you have failed or are a disappointment! Read on as we discuss why it’s OK to not keep your New Year’s resolutions.
Reality Check
It is important to understand that life will happen. Whether it be an unexpected work emergency, the flu, or just plain procrastination, there are so many things that can prevent us from keeping our resolutions. It is important to give yourself some grace and remember that life will always get in the way of our plans at times. Take a step back and assess your situation; you may find that your expectations were too high given your current circumstances.
Set Realistic Goals
If you find yourself not keeping your resolutions even after reassessing your situation, it could be time to reset your goals. Consider setting smaller goals or goals that are more manageable with where you are in life right now. This way you won’t be setting yourself up for failure by having expectations that are too large for the season of life you are currently in. For example, if one of your resolutions was to run a 5K this spring but after assessing your situation realize that isn't currently possible due to time constraints then consider setting a goal like running 1 mile 3 days a week instead until the 5K becomes feasible again. This will keep you motivated without feeling discouraged when larger goals aren’t attainable right now.
Don't Give Up!
When all else fails don't give up! Just because one resolution didn't work out doesn't mean all hope is lost! Consider this an opportunity to refocus and try again next year or even sooner if possible! Trying something multiple times before giving up is actually an indicator of success according to Forbes magazine--it shows persistence and resilience instead of failure so don't be afraid to keep pushing forward no matter what obstacles come in the way.
We all struggle with keeping our New Year's resolutions sometimes so don't beat yourself up if things don't go as planned this year! Life happens and sometimes we need readjustments along the way in order to stay on track with our goals-this doesn't make us any less capable or successful than anyone else who has kept their resolution intact! So take a deep breath, reassess where you are at right now and set realistic goals (and don't forget-you got this!) And most importantly--be kind to yourself throughout the process knowing no matter what happens--you still rock!
We hope this article has helped you to understand why it’s OK to not keep your New Year’s resolutions, and that you feel encouraged to continue pursuing them in a realistic and self-compassionate way! Good luck!
Blog written by:
Lisa Anderson
Owner of A Healing Place