How have the first few days of 2023 been for you?
Have you made a new year’s resolution?
This week’s Mental Sunshine is all about not making one.
Why?
We all feel a certain amount of pressure at the beginning of a new year to live a better life.
The media doesn’t help, with endless ads for weight loss products and all sorts of nonsense.
The gyms are always full in January with people who’ve resolved to get fit.
The truth is that most of us will make a resolution at the beginning of January, and by the end of the month, it’s fallen by the wayside.
And all we’re left with is a sense of failure.
Feeling like a failure is not a great way to begin your year – and it’s definitely not the best motivation to make a change.
This year then, I propose something different. Instead of making resolutions or setting out “SMART” goals, just resolve to enjoy your life and to be present in the moment.
Instead of saying “I’m going to exercise more this year” think about whether you might enjoy going for a walk or even a run or a swim today.
The key word in that sentence is enjoy – instead of putting pressure on yourself to become an unachievable superhero version of yourself.
Just look at what you can do today that will feel good.
Forget the resolutions and enjoy what you enjoy…
When we feel good, we naturally make better choices.
When we think about what will really make us feel good, we usually know that a walk will feel better than a slice of cake in the long run.
That tidying up our workspace will feel better than slumping in front of a Netflix box set for several hours.
Go with that – and have a joyous and prosperous new year!
