Ditch Your New Year’s Resolutions and Try This Instead

New Year’s Resolutions (ah, that again) can at the same time be both helpful and hurtful - it all depends on our intentions, execution, and goals. 

Today we’re taking a few steps back, releasing any building pressure that may be coming with the new year, and reflecting on our paths forward as we think about our future selves and the steps we wish to take. 

It may be “customary” to start thinking about our future goals, dreams, and wishes as the new year rolls around, but today we’re going to explore the concepts of resolutions in a different light. In fact, we’ll also start looking at other, perhaps more productive, alternatives to the age-old new year’s resolutions.

What Are New Year’s Resolutions, and Why Are They So Popular?

The spirit of a resolution is imbued with self-improvement. At its core, a New Year’s resolution is a promise you make to yourself to either start doing something that propels you toward your goals, or stop doing something that is hindering your progress toward those goals.

Pressure abounds, and this may be where many of us start and stop - at the starting and stopping of a habit. 

And it’s no surprise that as another year approaches, we look to the “new” year as the single upcoming opportunity to begin anew. 

Even if New Year’s resolutions aren’t top of mind for you, you can’t turn on the TV or read an article online where someone isn’t extolling the merits of resolutions as the only means of self-improvement.

Ultimately, the act of setting a resolution is inherently optimistic with a little hopefulness sprinkled in. But without intentionality or a specific plan on how to execute, they can be unfruitful and can leave you feeling defeated.

Before we explore constructive alternatives to New Year’s resolutions, let’s first examine how resolutions can fail or be hurtful.

Why Do Resolutions Fail?

The list is long. But let's break down into 3 simple reasons. The first reason: time. Yes, there are 12 months in a calendar year, 52 weeks, or 365 days. 

That’s a lot of time. Or is it? And is it enough? 

Restricting yourself and your progress towards your goals within the confines of one calendar year is limiting. Achieving lofty goals may require two years, or even three years, of dedication. And that’s perfectly okay. 

The point is this - the calendar is cyclical, time is not. While another year may come and go, your progress towards self-improvement continues. 

The next problematic concept is that of the upcoming year as being “new.” Yes, it’s almost 2023, but so what? 

Most likely, when the clock chimes midnight on January 1st, 2023, you’ll still live in the same city, report to the same employer, and shoulder the same responsibilities — no magical metamorphosis occurring here.

So what’s really “new”? Realistically and honestly, not much. It’s just another day. 

And lastly, creating New Year’s resolutions, just because it’s the thing to do, is a recipe for disappointment. Doing anything solely based on the perceived expectations of others is misguided and can be damaging. 

Instead, focus on what’s important to you. Guided by your values and belief system, what steps towards change would you like to implement?

Uplifting and Straightforward Alternatives to New Year’s Resolutions

So now that you know how and why New Year’s resolutions can be problematic, let’s focus on empowering alternatives to embrace instead.

Pick a theme supported by guiding words for the year

Resolutions can be rigid or too prescriptive leaving us feeling constricted or pressured. Try embracing a theme for your goals instead. Themes are fluid and can be broad, providing space for you to freely navigate. 

To reinforce your theme, pinpoint guiding words that anchor your intentions to guide you through your journey.

Keep the momentum

Change takes time and transformation is a process.  Is this year two of your three-year journey? If so, take a moment to reflect on how far you’ve come and recalibrate when necessary.

Take your time

So it’s January 1st…who cares? You don’t have to rush. Take your time to set your intention or intentions for the year. Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Endurance, flexibility, and determination are qualities to embrace throughout your journey. 

Bite size pieces

Don’t know where to start? First, take a moment to honor yourself for beginning this journey. Next, create a roadmap for yourself. Setting daily, weekly, and monthly goals is an effective way to organize and evaluate your progress.

Refresh and recharge

The hustle and bustle of the holidays has ended. Check-in with yourself. How do you feel? 

Instead of forging ahead and diving head first into a new project, take a moment to recharge your battery. 

Journaling: write it down

Do racing thoughts keep up at night? Do you struggle with focusing on the task at hand because of your ever-growing to-do list. 

Try journaling. There’s no right or wrong way. Just get your thoughts down on paper. And if staring at a blank piece of paper or blank screen causes you to question the whole process — google “writing prompts” to get you started.

What’s on this year’s bucket list?

According to Google, and in the traditional sense, a bucket list is any number of experiences or achievements a person hopes to have or accomplish in their lifetime. 

Momentarily, let’s sidestep tradition. Create a bucket list for the year. What do you want to accomplish in 2023? 

Are you finally ready to take that long awaited vacation? Or are you eager to sign-up for those east coast swing dance lessons?

Vision boards: seeing is believing

Tune into your creative self and construct a vision board. Not only is it a fun activity, creating a vision board fosters motivation and visually manifests your intentions.

Be curious 

Maybe “to be more curious” is your theme for the new year. Start by making a list of things you would like to try or learn more about throughout the year. 

To be curious is to have an open mind, to be a seeker of knowledge. Learning is a sign of growth and can help you challenge yourself to move beyond your comfort zone. Our helpful hint here is listing your curiosities as a writing prompt for journaling.

Expand your mind

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go.” –Dr. Seuss

Sticking with the theme “to be more curious,” create a reading list as part of your exploration. 

You don’t love to read? Try an audio book or podcast instead. Thanks to technology, new and exciting information is accessible in a myriad of formats.

So Goodbye 2022 and Hello 2023! Instead of the self-critical talk and pressure setting New Year’s resolutions evoke, try these empowering alternatives instead. 

Allow yourself time and space to reflect back in order to continue to move forward. Look inward and embrace mindfulness and intentionality as your guiding cornerstones.