Real Resolutions

It’s that time of year when people start thinking about naming resolutions to make for the coming new year. I know what usually happens around our place when it comes to resolutions, most likely the same thing that happens to your resolutions; they go nowhere. Good intentions are a great place to start, but this is where most resolutions end. So, how do we get ourselves over that obstacle of intent & turn it into action?

I believe your journal holds the key. The end of the year is a perfect time to spend rereading your journal, in particular this past year. Read with purpose. Look for the issues you return to over & over again. Note these in your current journal, or notepaper, so you can journal about it afterwards. Spend time writing reflectively on these topics. How ready are you for change in these areas? Are you willing to make some slight alteration in your habits? If you are ready, weigh up what the change would bring to your life. Perhaps you only need to change one thing.

If you are ready plan a course of action. Taking the example of losing weight, instead of making your resolution as vague and broad as simply losing weight, make a much more specific and achievable statement in your journal. Perhaps how much weight you plan to lose for the year, but even that can be off-putting. We all want to achieve such a goal instantly and can lose motivation when it comes to actually reaching this goal. So, perhaps your resolution could be to stop snacking after a certain time of night, to eliminate/moderate a certain unhealthy food from your diet, or to add to or begin a regular exercise programme.

Whatever resolution/s you create for the coming year, aim at making them achievable, something you really want, & something you have found is an important issue for you from rereading your journal. Weight loss is only an example. Some of you might want to change negative behaviour, habits or create more positive attitudes in your life.

Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
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