New Year, Same You
As we enter into the New Year, there are thoughts surrounding goals, conversations about resolutions, and the viral caption on posts that reads “New Year, New Me”. Setting goals, increasing motivation, and having a desire to form healthy habits can be beneficial.
According to a Forbes Survey, 62% of people reported feeling pressured to set a resolution at the start of the new year with the most common resolutions being weight and body image related. Despite popular belief, it’s also okay to ditch the resolution mentality and choose to enter the New Year with self acceptance and love.
Finding self acceptance begins by challenging your “inner critic”, that pesky voice in your head that takes every opportunity to try to tear you down.
Try to shift your inner dialogue from focusing on the negative to making yourself notice and appreciate the positive.
Try listing the things you are proud of about yourself in affirmation form. This can be done aloud, in written form, or as a form of meditation. “I am strong and resilient,” “I love others passionately,” or “I am a hard worker.”
Practice kind thoughts about yourself while challenging the negative ones and you begin accepting yourself with compassion and love.
Ditch the pressure to set your goals in January. Try not to wait until the next New Year rolls around before going after your goals when they come up. Instead, set your goals when you are ready.
If you or someone you know would benefit from learning how to practice self acceptance or is ready to work towards healthy goals and habits, the professionals at Counseling and Wellness Center are here to help. Call us at the Counseling and Wellness Center, located in Parkersburg or Belpre, and one of our trained professionals would love to help you out.
