I always make New Years resolutions. Some years they are pretty serious and challenging, other years they are more light-hearted and fun. Either way, I think using the first couple weeks of January to take stock of where you are, where you’ve been and where you would like to go is a good use of time.
Like everyone else, my New Years resolutions often include things related to healthier living. These might include resolutions involving nutrition, exercise, home management (financial matters, tidy-ness, etc).
But I also like to include resolutions involving my social well-being and relationships. This might mean taking a look at how I spend my time and who I spend it with. Am I spending my time as wisely as I spend my money? Are there relationships that need to be re-kindled? Others that need to be changed or ended? Having a healthy, fulfilling social life (and that means very different things to different people) is a huge part of overall mental health, so it should be a part of our New Years resolutions too!
Sometimes I add a professional goal to my list of resolutions – some years it just feels important to make some changes, and some years things have been humming along just fine. Either way, January is a great time to ask yourself: “Am I where I would like to be professionally?” or “Where would I like to be at the end of the year and what can I do to get there?”
Lastly, I like to add at least one (sometimes more) resolution involving my hobbies. Some years it has been as simple as “find a new hobby” other years it has been more refined (like the year I resolved to learn to crochet). This year I have resolved to write down all the books I read (I read 2-3 each week so it feels important to keep track!). Regardless of what it is, avocations – or hobbies – are another important part of overall mental health so they need to be included too. Plus these resolutions tend to be a lot more fun – and easier – than going vegan or working out everyday.
Regardless of your resolutions, remember to keep them reasonable and do-able for your best chance of success!
What are your resolutions this year?