Endings and beginnings 12.30.2023
2023 is coming to a fast close and what a year!! I don’t know about you but my year was chock full of ups and downs. Managing the flow of life is a practice, a lifelong practice. There is no end until the end you know?
I am not a fan of New Year’s resolutions. Research says 44% of the people in the US make a new year’s resolution and as the months go by the statistics decrease for keeping those resolutions (Oscarsson et al, 2020). This same study showed that people who made “approach-oriented” goals were more successful than those making “avoidance-oriented” goals. Approach-oriented goals involve positive actions and habits like “ I am going to walk for 20 min 5 days a week”. This alters the relationship to the change process and can contribute to better success.
Change is consistent creation. It can be helpful to be ready to let go of what no longer serves us. Determining our readiness can empower the change we want and help us stick to what we truly want. Effective change is not a short-term solution it is a lifelong path.
Sooooo no New Year resolutions but we can decide to do something that adds value to our lives.
A Facebook post by Donna Ashworth states “Why do we start a new year with promises to improve? Who began this tradition of never-ending pressure?” Instead of always trying to improve something in ourselves why not give yourself some grace? Laugh more, rest often, eat some delicious food, read a good book, or just relax and watch a movie. If we act kinder to ourselves then we will eat better and move about more, connect with our community, and feel better! This kindness to ourselves will translate into healing from the inside out.
May your 2024 be filled with ease, flow, abundance, and most of all self-love.
With love
Pam
References:
https://www.facebook.com/donnaashworthwords/posts/908400623982001
Oscarsson, M., Carlbring, P., Andersson, G., & Rozental, A. (2020). A large-scale experiment on New Year's resolutions: Approach-oriented goals are more successful than avoidance-oriented goals. PloS one, 15(12), e0234097. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0234097