Resolution Realism
Resolution Realism
By: Briley Rakow
Every new year, our society takes time to reflect on the past and make resolutions for the year ahead. Following the holidays, many of us are in need of a mental and physical reset, which is why January is full of new gym memberships, diet plans, and self-care practices. The problem is, as we set high expectations for ourselves and make drastic changes to our routines, it is inevitable that some resolutions will fall through the cracks. This year, instead of trying to turn your life around all at once, it might be time to give yourself some grace and focus on simple things you can do to bring a little more joy and health into your life.
Resolutions are too often gargantuan tasks, and while it is okay to have big goals for your life, the best way to work towards accomplishing them is to take small steps at a time. If you are thinking about starting a more consistent exercise routine, try to pick a few days a week that you can go to the gym to do light workouts like walking at an incline, or taking a fun workout class. By keeping your expectations for results realistic and not overscheduling yourself, you allow yourself to slowly grow in strength without burning out.
The same idea goes for all resolutions. Instead of starting a strict diet, start by switching out snacks you typically eat with healthier options and developing a regular eating pattern. If your goals are for your mental and emotional well-being, make sure to give yourself time to get into a routine. Doing a task every day is not always easy to start out of nowhere, so whether you are venturing into journaling, meditation, or a new skincare routine, give yourself grace if you do not remember to do it every day.
The new year is a time of reinvention and reflection, but we cannot expect to change our entire lives in a few weeks. Start small with your goals and remember that every resolution will likely have missteps along the way. You can only fail if you stop trying, so stick with your goals despite the challenges and by the end of 2023, you may just have a new healthy habit.
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