By Emma Huntzinger, Communications Manager
Each new year brings with it feelings of renewal, hope, cleansing… But it can also bring with it feelings of intimidation, anxiety, and fear.
So, as the clock strikes midnight this weekend, I have to ask – are New Years resolutions helpful or harmful?
New Years resolutions can be helpful and motivating…AND New Years resolutions can be intimidating and disappointing. The bottom line, don’t take them too seriously.
It’s a new year, but it’s not a new you. Not immediately at least. Real change takes time, and if your resolutions push you to be better, follow them! If your resolutions are stressing you out and taking away from the good in your life, abandon them.
There’s no shame in abandoning New Years resolutions. Here at CommUnity, we like to say “you are not alone” a lot, but you’re quite literally not alone in abandoning resolutions. 23% of them are abandoned by the second week in January. Personally, I’ve already abandoned my 2023 resolutions and it’s December 30th, 2022.
Focusing on small habit changes that lead to a better you is a more attainable approach than making your end goal your resolution.
- “I will make an effort to be physically active each day”
- “I will reach out for help when I need it”
- “I will speak nicely to myself and treat myself with respect”
Each of these resolutions have an end goal of better mental health without the pressure to have “perfect” mental health by the end of 2023.
And remember, if you do abandon your resolution, you’re not giving up. You’re giving yourself the grace and space to achieve your goals outside of the confines of a particular year. Change is a journey, not an assignment.
We’re always improving. Even when we don’t know it. This New Year, let’s continue the excellent work we did in 2022, and continue to give ourselves and our neighbors empathy and grace in 2023.
See you next year!
