As 2022 is coming to an end, it’s important to take a moment and reflect on what we are leaving behind. After we are done with that, let’s proceed to set goals or intentions for the New Year ahead. Now, if you are on your healing journey, then it might not be the right time for you to create big goals. It’s absolutely OK. We can still reflect and set intentions, even if we are emotionally drained and everything we want is to heal. I would like to share 5 tips with you on how to set New Year goals and what to focus on if you are currently healing.
1. Set an intention to prioritize self-care in the New Year
If you are currently healing from whatever traumatic event has taken place in your life, it’s important to prioritize self-care in the New Year and all years ahead. Plan on doing things that will make you feel good, nourished, and peaceful.
Therapist’s tip: choose self-care practices that you enjoy and create a schedule. If you haven’t already done so, I recommend creating morning and night routines for yourself in the New Year. It will absolutely change your life.
2. Let go of people and things that drain your energy
Your healing will require making some hard decisions. Letting go of those folks who don’t enrich your life in any way will probably be one of them. I know, it is now easy. Especially, if it’s a family member and you used to be very close. However, it is going to be necessary for your wellness and growth.
Therapist’s tip: set an intention to say “no” more often. Initially, it is going to be hard, but the more you do it, the more you will get used to it.
3. Learn to forgive yourself and give yourself time to grieve
It is a wonderful New Year resolution for those who are in the thick of healing. If your wounds are still very fresh, make it a goal to learn to forgive yourself and let yourself feel all of your emotions in the New Year.
Therapist’s tip: this one may require therapy because there are situations that are hard to go through alone. You are going to need some extra help and professional guidance. Again, during this time, it’s important to stay away from toxic people and everything that hinders your progress.
4. Start practicing mindfulness
Before you roll your eyes at me, please hear me out. Mindfulness has become a buzzword, but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t work. When we are mindful of our surroundings and our feelings instead of functioning on autopilot, we are able to truly focus on what we can control. A racing mind has never helped anyone fix their lives
Therapist’s tip: you don’t necessarily need to sit and meditate for 30 minutes if it doesn’t work for you. Simply sit down and name the things you see, smell, and feel. Describe to yourself what/how you feel. The more you do it, the more you will be able to answer the question: why do I feel a certain way and what can I do to make me feel better.
5. Spend less time online and avoid comparison
Last but not least resolution idea for the New Year is to stop mindlessly scrolling through social media and start living your life. When we spend a lot of time online, it is easy to get lost in what other people do and how they live their lives. You are unique, your situation is unique. How you live your life and how you heal is going to be different from others. Please, try to find better coping strategies during this difficult time, and avoid comparison.
Therapist’s tip: if you absolutely have to check social media every day, try to avoid doing it first thing in the morning and before you go to bed when your mind is the most perceptive and vulnerable.
I hope these tips will help you to start 2023 off right. I guess the most important thing I want you to take out from this post is that you don’t need to set and achieve very big goals to live an intentional life. Sometimes, small changes we make every day lead to big changes long term. Be loving and patient with yourself as if you would be with anyone you care about. If you become your best friend, amazing things will happen.
~ Tren
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