Resolutions

It's a whole new year, new decade, new chance to ditch old habits. Janus was the Roman God of beginnings and endings, choices, and doors (I guess that makes sense). He is also the one for whom January is named, rightfully so. He had two faces, one that looked ahead and the other that looked behind. The week leading up to New Year's is the perfect time to be like Janus; to review this past's celebrations and failures while reflecting on what will make the future better. It's a great time to decide what your resolutions will be and how you plan to create your own "Year of Clarity!" (like we discussed in the last post, remember?) Of course, I want your resolution to stick around longer than old fruitcake jokes, so I've put together some strategies for you!

- Be Specific! 
Let's say your resolution this year is to eat healthier in 2020. You didn't eat a single vegetable in 2019, so you have a salad for lunch on New Year's Day. Resolution accomplished, right? Yeah, didn't think so. Taking the time to define what "healthier" means will make your goal that much easier to reach. Maybe you are trying to incorporate more whole foods in your diet, so you resolution is really "eat at least 2 cups of fresh vegetables and fruits each day."

- Ease into it. 
When many people make NY Resolutions, they seem to think that the second that ball drops, the switch flips and their awesome new behavior or habit kicks in immediately. In a couple of weeks when things get hard, all of a sudden, that new habit is gone and so is the resolution. Instead give your resolution a time frame so you can take the steps needed to make the habit permanent. If your goal is to run a marathon in 2020, you can't just go run 26.2 miles on New Year's Day (unless you are Dean Karnazes, and in that case, Hi Dean! I think you're really cool and I'm fan-girling that you are reading this!). Point is, you know you need to train your body for a physical feat, you will also need to train your brain for these new habits. Start with something small that doesn't have too large of an impact on your normal routine until it becomes second nature. Then, increase and repeat.

- Keep the number of resolutions small. 
When my daily to-do list is a mile long, I get mentally drained just looking at it and go back to sleep. Shorter lists are easier to manage, easier to accomplish. Pick 3-5 things that you want to do this year and work on those.

- Don't wait for New Year's! 
If you have accomplished all of your goals for 2020 and it's only June, make some Mid-Year resolutions! Or, Labor Day Resolutions or October 16th resolutions! Don't wait to change your habits until the calendar says it's time.

- Pick a goal that is challenging, but reasonable. 
Do something that is going to force you to step, not leap, outside of your comfort zone. Sign up for the 10K race, because that is the Golidilocks distance for you (5K is too short, marathon is too long, 10K is just right!). Decide you are going to read 5 books about health this year, not 20.

- Chose resolutions that have a variety of goals. 
This is a health & wellness blog, so that's the focus here, but it isn't my whole life. Chose 1 resolution that focuses on your health, maybe one that focuses on fitness, and have the others focus on your other hobbies. Learn how to make a quilt, or change your car's oil, or build a tree house, or go camping with your family, or whatever makes your heart sing. We have many reasons for wanting to keep ourselves healthy, don't let yourself forget what those reasons are.

- Remind yourself of your goals. 
Have a place where you can see your goals regularly. Bathroom mirrors, closet doors, and refrigerators are great. Read them regularly. My 2019 goals were saved as calendar reminders in my phone so I would see them monthly.

- Finally, forgive yourself for your mistakes. 
If you fall off the wagon, dust yourself off and climb back on. You are human, which means you are perfectly imperfect. There are going to be weeks that life gets crazy. I have many a week where my depression and anxiety get in the front seat and it's a battle to do anything that doesn't involve sleep. The thought of being concerned about my chocolate intake is incomprehensible. But, when I am able to get myself back in charge, I reflect back on what made me lose control and how I can fix it for next time. We are on a journey, not a race, and we shouldn't be in a hurry to reach our destination.

I wish you good health and good cheer in this New Year (that wasn't supposed to rhyme)! I hope that 2020 is the best year ever for you!! To close, here are my goals this year!:

- Run a Marathon (Husband has found one in Savannah in November. Come join us!)
- Do a pull up from a dead hang
- Read 35 books I haven't read before (2019's goal was 12 books, I smashed that goal quick and ended the year at 31!)
- Learn German well enough to have a conversation with someone
- Attend twelve social events that don't have anything to do with work

What are your 2020 goals? What are your plans to help you reach them?