Why You Should Write That New Year's Resolutions List

New Jersey

It's 2019! Cheers to the New Year! With a new year comes both celebration and also a definitive period for self reflection that is evident in the timeless New Year's Resolutions list. You hear about it in commercials; you may be reminded of it by friends and family. With the busy-ness around this time of year though, it can be easy to brush the list aside and continue on doing what you are doing.

This post is to suggest why you should be writing that New Year's Resolutions list, some tips in making sure you write the best list for you, and the ways in which you can successfully achieve your resolutions.

New Year, Improved You

I'm sure we have all heard the saying, "new year, new me". Even if you have not heard this, there is an enchanted idea of starting completely fresh when the new year comes around. The first step to a successful New Year's Resolutions list though, is to accept where you are in your journey at the present moment. In this sense, the new year does not offer the possibility for a new you, rather it allows the potential for a version of you based on all of the experiences, wins, and losses that have shaped you to become the person you are at the current moment. Loving yourself regardless of where you are at the moment is the same love that will propel you to continue growing. Only then will you be able to put together a list that will be most effective at guiding you to become a person you are even more proud of.

Painting the Picture

When it comes to New Years Resolutions, the first step is to think up what you want your resolutions to be. The next step, which is equally as important, is to write this list down. While there is nothing wrong with keeping a mental list, there is something special about writing it down as well. For one, it becomes less difficult to forget. Even if you have one resolution, life gets busy and it can be easy for even that one resolution to slip your mind. Having a written list allows you to go back to the promises you made yourself, unaffected by the time that has passed in between. You write your resolutions list when these changes seem most possible. A resolution to drink 8 cups of water a day around January 1st might seem much more doable than later on in the year when that 8 cups gradually becomes any amount of water a day because drinking 8 was too much of a hassle. Having solely a mental list might make this resolution edit less of an issue. While it is good to be flexible, returning to this list is a reminder that these changes are always possible. There is no differentiation that makes starting a change easier on January 1st than any other day. Writing a list can help internalize this mindset, especially if the list is looked over frequently.

While I definitely do forget to read my resolutions, I have recently been making an effort to go through them during my morning routine. They are in a way a form positive affirmations! 

What Goes in a New Year's Resolutions List?

Honestly, anything you want, as long as you're honest with yourself. That being said, your list might show your vulnerabilities and that is okay. There is nothing wrong with where you are on your journey and you should be proud of yourself for even taken steps towards self improvement. Lovingly acknowledging your flaws can be difficult because flaws are so often seen as a problem. It takes balance and care to understand that there is nothing wrong with you because there is only one you- and only you know how to be the best version of that you. So, what goes on your New Year's Resolutions list should consist at least partly of what your own evolved self would do, even if you already do that very thing. In fact, doing so shows that you already have components that you yourself find amazing, and that your evolved you is not so far off. 

Every year, I always start my list with 'Smile' and 'Be happy'. This doesn't mean that I was miserable the previous year, and it also doesn't mean that I will go through the entire year with a single emotion. What this means to me is that an evolved version of me that I am working towards finds the positive in any situation and gratitude in every action.

To Share or Not to Share

This is also a personal decision, but I would recommend limiting the resolutions that you decide to share with those around you. Wanting to make changes about you should be motivated by you. While it may be a benefit having someone to make sure you are sticking to your resolutions (like promising to go to the gym together), if you fall off there may be more shame attached. It's okay to slip up and it's okay to try again the next day, but there shouldn't be the added pressure of what someone else might think of you slipping up. Resolutions are promises to yourself, and so it is you that must be your own biggest motivator if you want to see lasting change.   

So, no matter what time of the year you are reading this post, write up that New Year's Resolutions list and smile! You, like all of us, are on personal journey and that list will help guide you through it!

Cheers!
Aijah