New Years Resolutions?

I have been thinking much about New Years Resolutions. . . .  and asking myself some questions. What does a resolution mean to me? Will I condemn myself if I can't keep the resolution?  Will it cause anxiety to put big expectations on myself and bring disappointment if I can’t keep them?

I am a big believer in setting goals, and in my mind, they are different than resolutions.  I looked up the definitions of goals and resolutions. A goal is a desired result that a person or a system envisions, plans, and commits to achieve. A New Year's resolution is a tradition in which a person makes a promise to do an act of self-improvement.  Do they seem different to you?

I look at a new year as a time for reflection on the previous year and a time to think about my goals and desires for the coming year personally, in my family, and professionally.  It is important to write down goals and desires.  It may be helpful to make a timeline and plan to achieve those goals and look back at them periodically throughout the year.  If I don't take time to write down accomplishments and goals from the previous year, it is easy to fly through the year and lose sight of what mattered.  Be intentional and mindful of your time and resources in the coming year.

My mantra as I mentor my doula clients is to be present and mindful during each moment of their birth without being attached to the outcome! It is valuable, to me, to be fully present with whatever I am doing at any time and not be attached to outcomes.  Being outcome focused can cause me to have big expectations, spend much energy worrying about the outcome and bring disappointment if something shifts and expectations aren’t fulfilled.  It is easy to miss and enjoy what is happening RIGHT NOW! Resolutions, to me, seem outcome focused.

How do you view New Years Resolutions? Is it valuable to you to make them? Do you set goals?  How do you keep those goals present in your life?

I am excited about some goals my husband and I talked about last night as we reflected and dreamed of 2018 and 2019. I'd love to hear your thoughts and reflections!

Happy New Year and Blessings in 2019!

~ Shalene