Lose weight. Work out more. Eat less junk food. Run faster.
The New Years Resolution has been a tradition since what feels like the beginning of modern times. Year after year, I hear family, friends, coworkers, and clients setting lofty goals, only to be disappointed in themselves when they don’t reach the unattainable. This year, I think I will take a new approach to resolutions:
#1. Be kinder.
… That’s it.
If you’re anything like me, you may struggle with being kind to yourself, which I’ve learned makes it harder to be kind to others. With the new year upon us, this is prime time to go into self-improvement mode. I don’t knock self-improvement, by any means – I’m all for insight and growth! But it is easy to cross the line into self-abuse territory. Think about treating yourself like you would someone you love. What does being kind look like when you practice it on someone else? Maybe being kind means not overeating, because it will put you in discomfort. Maybe being kind means eating a few too many cookies, and forgiving yourself for it, because you really enjoyed them. Maybe being kind means allowing time for a walk outside a few times a week. Maybe it means signing up for sessions with a personal trainer. Maybe it means incorporating more rest days into your week. Maybe it just means you’ll continue all your healthy habits that you’ve begun practicing over the past year, and will try a little harder to let go of judgment around your own imperfections (which, as much as I hate to admit it… we all have).
Let’s wave goodbye to this year, and start out 2015 on a really loving note. Tell yourself something nice today. Try to repeat that behavior tomorrow. Then again the next day. You may be amazed at the difference you’ll see by this time next year.
Warm wishes to you in the New Year. Remember to be kind to yourself.
The New Years Resolution has been a tradition since what feels like the beginning of modern times. Year after year, I hear family, friends, coworkers, and clients setting lofty goals, only to be disappointed in themselves when they don’t reach the unattainable. This year, I think I will take a new approach to resolutions:
#1. Be kinder.
… That’s it.
If you’re anything like me, you may struggle with being kind to yourself, which I’ve learned makes it harder to be kind to others. With the new year upon us, this is prime time to go into self-improvement mode. I don’t knock self-improvement, by any means – I’m all for insight and growth! But it is easy to cross the line into self-abuse territory. Think about treating yourself like you would someone you love. What does being kind look like when you practice it on someone else? Maybe being kind means not overeating, because it will put you in discomfort. Maybe being kind means eating a few too many cookies, and forgiving yourself for it, because you really enjoyed them. Maybe being kind means allowing time for a walk outside a few times a week. Maybe it means signing up for sessions with a personal trainer. Maybe it means incorporating more rest days into your week. Maybe it just means you’ll continue all your healthy habits that you’ve begun practicing over the past year, and will try a little harder to let go of judgment around your own imperfections (which, as much as I hate to admit it… we all have).
Let’s wave goodbye to this year, and start out 2015 on a really loving note. Tell yourself something nice today. Try to repeat that behavior tomorrow. Then again the next day. You may be amazed at the difference you’ll see by this time next year.
Warm wishes to you in the New Year. Remember to be kind to yourself.