How To Keep Your 2020 New Year Resolutions
It’s the first week of February, have you given up on your New Year’s resolutions already?
According to Best Life Online, most people have given up on their New Year’s resolution to lose weight or get fit by the second Friday in January! Wow. For 2020, that’s just ten days into January. Only 55% of people stick with their goals for the entire month of January. If you’re struggling you are not alone!
Luckily, you can start a new healthy habit ANY time of year and any day of the week. Regardless of whether you have already thrown in the towel or are still going strong, here are some ways to keep your resolutions for 2020.
1. Give up all or nothing thinking
If you miss a day or two and think “Well, I’ve blown it. What a failure!” you are unconsciously sabotaging yourself. While it may feel like missing a day or two means you have failed, you only fail if you give up. A set-back is only that, a small part of the process that leads to success. Even if you gave up you New Year’s resolutions on January 2nd it is not too late to pick up right where you left off.
2. Remember your why
There’s reason that you chose the particular goal that you chose. Maybe you want to get healthier because you want to live longer for your children or because you want to look & feel great on your summer beach vacation. There is no wrong “why” and reminding yourself of your motivation is the best way to get back on track.
3. Add it to your calendar
Whether your resolution is meditating, working out, or calling your friends more often, a simple reminder might be what is standing between you and success! If you use your phone’s calendar (or even if you don’t) add your resolution plus a reminder. Your phone will pop up and give you a gentle nudge toward doing what you really want to do, if only you didn’t forget. If you use a physical planner, actually write the task down like anything else in your day.
4. pick a new resolution
Is the reason you quit because you would like to lose 50 pounds but you don’t have the actual desire to work toward it? No problem! Pick a new resolution right now. Lifestyle changes are hard work and they take effort, especially when we implement them. If you don’t want to put the time into what you choose December 31st find something that’s worth getting up early for.
5. get accountable
It’s a lot more difficult to let a friend down than it is to let yourself down. Ask a friend or family member to be your accountability partner. They don’t have to be doing the same thing as you, or anything at all actually! Just ask them to text you once a day to check in, or call once a week to see how it’s going. It’s likely you won’t want to tell them you sat on the couch binge-watching something on Netflix instead of going for a walk so you’ll actually go for that walk.
It’s never too late!
Regardless of why you stopped, you can accomplish your goals. These are just a few examples of ways that you can get yourself motivated.
Stacey E. Aldridge, LCSW provides therapy
in Vicksburg, MS. She has started and quit
countless New Years resolutions over the years.
If you would like to schedule an appointment
to see Stacey in Canton, MS or Vicksburg, MS please call
(769) 224-4234
