After a tremendously difficult year, many people feel as though they're barely managing to crawl into the new year. If there has ever been a year where "new year, new me" seems applicable, it's this one. As 2020 comes to an end, many people find themselves self isolating at home, likely wearing yesterdays sweater and still picking through Christmas leftovers. The glimmer on the horizon? A new year. A fresh start.
Before you begin goal setting for 2021, we want to encourage you to take a moment to pause. Acknowledge the tremendous effort and strength it took to accomplish what you did this past year, and give yourself grace for the items on your to-do list that you never got to. As the year comes to a close you're likely to begin seeing posts about how much everyone around you accomplished. You may feel guilty or pressure to make up for it, but don't. Comparison is the thief of joy, and just surviving this past year--this global pandemic--is enough.
There are tons of different goals you could pursue in the new year, and many are worthwhile. But just because everyone else has the goal of working out more, finishing that novel, paying off their mortgage, whatever it may be, doesn't mean you have to. Take some time to think of what goals you want to actually tackle--not just the goals you think you SHOULD want to tackle. You won't accomplish a goal if you're doing it for anyone other than yourself. You need to want it!
Once you have a goal in mind, break it up into pieces. So for example, with the classic goal of working out more, here is how you could tackle it: first, get specific. In January, set a goal of working out for 30 minutes 3 times a week. That may not seem like a lot, but its a manageable first step. In February, up the days to 5. Then begin introducing more intensity. Set checkpoints for yourself where you can celebrate progress by doing something indulgent that won't impact your goal, such as $100.00 for fun shopping after three months of crushing your workout routine.
Overall, give yourself grace. You are worthy of gentleness and kindness.
Here's to a great year ahead!
(Photo via Canva)
Posted by Ken Richter on
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