Resolutions Should Include What to Keep, Not Just What to Change

January is the most optimistic month of the year when we dive into our new year’s resolutions.

February is the most deflating month of the year when we break those resolutions.

Let’s stop this madness!

Of course, it’s wonderful to want to improve yourself and achieve new goals. Heck, I’m in the business of helping women live their best lives their way.

But self-improvement doesn’t have to turn into self-loathing. Typical resolutions shine a bright light on all the ways we feel deficient.

It’s time to change that.

Rather than focusing solely on all the things you want to change about yourself, begin with all the great things you want to keep for another year.

Make a list of 15-20 aspects of your life that you treasure and will continue doing. Nothing is too small or insignificant to be included, e.g., monthly coffee with your bff, Saturday trips to your farmers market, long weekend walks with your dog, volunteer adult literacy tutoring, etc.

Now that you have listed all the great parts of being you, you may move onto those resolutions that you think will improve your life.

Choose 1-3 aspects of your life you want to improve, delete, or add. Be very specific. For example, you can add take a walk twice each week instead of once (improve), stop eating ice cream before bed (delete), or read a book for at least 15 minutes each day (add).

And if you like your life just as it is, yay you! Keep doing you.

Bottom line: there is always room for improvement. Just don’t let those few resolutions make you forget how great you already are.

May 2020 be filled with all your heart desires.