We made it through another year! Before I share my thoughts on resolutions I must pause and give thanks that we are still here. Stop and consider your blessings, the challenges 2024 brought and did not stop your resolve to move forward. It is not about where you have been but where you are going. The truth is that every day is fit for change and to seize every opportunity. My hope is that a new chapter of self-assurance and willpower will lead you to overcome every obstacle in your journey.
Sometimes the new year can bring statements we have heard before, “This year I’m going to make it happen, I’m not exactly sure how but I really mean it this time.” A goal without perseverance and a structured plan is only temporary excitement. Like a tree shoot that rose above the soil but didn’t expand its roots, ceasing its future growth. The motivation to improve your health is above achieving it. I say this because quick emotional desires sometimes lack the endurance to reach the goal. I’m sure many of us have been there in one way or another. The intention for a new beginning is genuine in the moment, phone calls are made, and money is spent that displays sincerity. Weeks or months roll by, and you find yourself seemingly without progress towards your original goal.
Don’t be discouraged, the biggest challenges and accomplishments are rarely without setbacks. If you hold onto your ambitions for change, you are making progress regardless of your circumstances. Even if you feel you have missed the mark somewhere, it is only a moment for reflection and learning. You can always learn from failure but learn nothing from quitting. What’s crucial about making a resolution is that you choose it for the right reasons. Some want change because they want to be noticed, others because of pressure to change, and some simply follow what others are doing.
I believe change of any kind including health wellness should be because you see the need for a better you. To be inspired by someone can help bring encouragement, but to compare yourself can be unhelpful. Pursue your health goals from a standpoint of personal interest and value, not because you want what others have. This type of mental awareness will shine light on your goals and aspirations going into the new year. The plan needs to be sound, with the mind at peace and confidence in who you are. Creating a detailed plan with short and long-term goals is necessary, but what matters most is what you did today and do tomorrow.
A word that comes to mind anytime I have sought change in my habits is accountability. Being conscious daily of your resolution and eagerness to reach your goals is part of the process that keeps you accountable. It is a blessing to have family or friends you can trust in sharing your goals and struggles with. But a powerful truth about improving yourself is that the only person you have to convince is yourself. I have found the act of journaling to be an indispensable tool in my health journey. Journaling can provide deep expression and clearer insight into your thoughts and ideas. Bring a good sense of humor with you for the journey, life isn’t fun without laughter. Whatever your resolution is going into the new year, pursue it and don’t look back. Here is a meaningful quote from Steven Covey, “Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.”
I’m thankful for this blog and all my subscribers that motivate me to continue it. Let 2025 be a year of growth and encouragement to all those who observe your life.
