New Year New Me, Not: Rebooting Your Resolution

Ah, February! The month where we finally start to realize that the “New Year, New Me” was perhaps a tad ambitious. Some of us may have even forgotten we ever made a New Year’s resolution to begin with. You see, there’s this curious phenomenon that takes place the second Friday in January, called “Quitter’s Day.” It’s not a national holiday (though maybe it should be), but statistically speaking, it’s the day where most people abandon their New Year’s resolutions. So, totally understandable if those goals seem dusted and forgotten. But fear not, it’s never too late honor the seasons of change and embark on a journey of self-realignment.

Reclaiming Your Resolution

Sure, we may not have’t stuck to our plans of regularly hitting the gym, eating healthier, or mastering that new hobby, but that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. It’s all about perspective. We don’t have to be perfect, because we aren’t. So instead of beating ourselves up over our perceived failures, we can instead utilize it to reflect on what went wrong and what we can correct moving forward.

Self-Reflect:

Before diving headfirst into setting a new resolution or goal, it’s essential to take a moment for some introspection. Find a comfortable, quiet place, and maybe cozy up with a cup of tea – it’s time to get reflective. Here are a some prompts to get you started:

1. What were my original intentions behind my New Year’s resolutions?
2. What obstacles or challenges did I encounter in sticking to my goals?
3. What aspects of my resolutions brought me joy or fulfillment?
4. How have my priorities or circumstances shifted since the beginning of the year?
5. What lessons have I learned from my successes and setbacks?

Realign:

After you’ve had a moment to reflect on your journey, it’s time to realign your goals with your current reality. Remember, flexibility is key to sustainable progress. Consider SMART goals as a framework to ensure your objectives are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound:

1. Specific: Clearly define what you want to accomplish. Instead of a vague goal like “exercise more,” aim for something specific like “go for a 30-minute walk, three times a week.”
2. Measurable: Set criteria for tracking or measuring your progress. How will you know when you’ve achieved your goal? Consider using metrics like distance, duration, or frequency.
3. Attainable: Make sure your goal is within reach given your current circumstances. It’s okay to dream big, but also be realistic about what you can accomplish.
4. Relevant: Ensure your goal aligns with your values and priorities. Is it meaningful to you? Will it contribute to your overall well-being and happiness?
5. Time-bound: Set a deadline or timeframe for achieving your goal. This adds a sense of urgency and helps you stay focused and motivated.

Reboot:

Now, with this newfound clarity and a strategic plan of action, it’s time to embark on the next phase of your journey. But before we depart, let’s raise a glass (of water, because hydration is important) to embracing the next season of our lives. Let’s acknowledge that while our New Year’s resolutions may not have not gone as planned, there’s still plenty of time to make positive changes in our lives. And remember, it’s not about achieving perfection – it’s about progress.

So here’s to reflecting and realigning our resolutions. Here’s to embracing the beauty of imperfection and the endless possibilities that lie ahead. And most importantly, because this is The Joyful Junction, here’s to laughing in the face of Quitters Day and showing it who’s boss. My fellow resolution rebels – Cheers!