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The clock struck twelve and 2022 became a memory. With it, supposedly so did everything you disliked about yourself and the previous year . . .right?
Honestly, the thought of reinventing yourself because of the societal expectation to do so can be quite overwhelming for some. For others, the idea that many people are undertaking such a task together is comforting and reassuring. For both groups, the idea is a tad bit unsustainable, which is why so many people are unable to keep up with their resolutions early into the new year.
Maybe a bit of reframing is in order.
The truth is that one day is not going to change who you are. When you think it will, you set yourself up for disappointment. The idea of a rapid change in the entirety of your being is a fairytale of a shortcut. But some destinations are worth the lessons learned along the journey. You are worth the time and effort to reevaluate your current and past actions, decide on preferred habits, and actualize change in your life.
So just do it . . . but give yourself some grace.
Chances are that the 2022 ‘you’, while in possession of some unsavory habits, was not a total trainwreck. Chances are that there were some redeemable qualities in your 2022 self. Acknowledging this truth is vital in ensuring that you do not become overwhelmed while on the journey toward self-improvement. Once you are ready to begin self-improvement for the new year, try these suggested steps for your journey.
- Take inventory of the ups and the downs of the past year.
“I didn’t get a lot of sleep this year.”
- Evaluate the part you played in the outcome of these ups and downs, acknowledging instances in which you had no control over an outcome.
“I spent a lot of time doom scrolling before bed.”
- Sit with that, giving yourself grace and understanding that the past cannot be changed.
- Jot down a few lessons learned from events you either liked or disliked.
“I could improve in the area of sleep hygiene.”
- Condense each lesson into a healthy habit or action you would like to see yourself incorporate into your repertoire.
“I will limit my screen time by turning off my phone one hour before my
bedtime.”
- Being realistic, select one or two actions to practice for a time, event, or period in which you know that certain areas of your life will be challenged.
“I’m starting STEP 1 studying soon and proper sleep is important.
Therefore, I want to start the semester off with a trial run of my intended
action so that the healthy habit comes naturally by the time dedicated
starts.”
Rinse and repeat.
These steps might work better for some areas of life more than others, but they are a start. Regardless, you are worth the try. And just think of it—If you try this method and commit to just three areas in which you would like to change, you’ll be surprised with how different you might be as December rolls around. You’ll still be the same ‘you’, just a ‘you’ with healthier behaviors made from wisely informed observations, goals, and simple actualization.
And as the clock strikes twelve at the end of this year, 2023, you can start anew with even more information, more wisdom, and more appreciation for how far you’ve come.
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