SHOULD I MAKE A NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION?

Every year we hear so much about New Year’s Resolutions. Many of us wonder if this is an opportunity for change or just an old tradition? From a mental health perspective, a resolution can be effective. The hardest part about making changes in our lives is to find the motivation. Each January 1st allows us the opportunity to find that motivation we need, and it helps that you may have friends, family, and coworkers who are also motivated to make changes. So, the New Year offers the mindset for a new beginning. The environment of your social network also being ready for change, alongside the tradition of a fresh start… All of these combined offer a unique annual opportunity to make your life better.

I would offer some basic guidance as you start thinking about your resolution. Create a resolution using a S.M.A.R.T. goal. This stands for Simple, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time Bound.

Example of a typical resolution: “I want to feel less depressed in 2022”

Example of a S.M.A.R.T. resolution: “I will work to improve my mood through exercise 2x weekly each month for the first 3 months of the year.”

The reason that the S.M.A.R.T. goal or resolution is more effective for change is because you have narrowed your focus and created a guide. The more simplified and specific you can be, the more likely you are going to be able to meet your goal.

It’s also important to consider what you would do and how you might feel if you are unable to reach this goal or resolution. My answer as your therapist would be that you should offer yourself some forgiveness. We are never gong to reach perfection immediately with anything we hope to change. However, if we can set up specific goals, we can easily return to them if we don’t reach the achievement during the first attempt.

Returning to the example, if you are unable to exercise twice during the week, it is helpful to re-focus and re-attempt. Don’t consider this a failure, but rather an opportunity for growth. Try to narrow down why you were unable to exercise twice. Are you too busy at work? Are family obligations making this too complicated? Do you enjoy the form of exercise you are doing?

As we continue to narrow down the reasons, we are then able to begin down the path of reaching your resolution rather than discarding it and feeling like you have failed.

Overall, anytime we make goals we may not achieve greatness during our first attempt. Instead we learn from experience what motivates us to improve our lives. Once you locate that inner sense of motivation, hold it close to you. That allows you to more easily find that sense of motivation in the future.

Have a wonderful New Year, and I wish you all the best with your resolution.