At the start of each new year, gym memberships soar. People lose themselves in the pure thrill of thinking, “new year, new you.”
People are full of enthusiasm especially when they make their new year’s resolutions. However, that enthusiasm sometimes disappears within a week. This early boost of energy makes us feel good at the start of the year but then we quickly move to ‘whats the point’ and give up.
Why do our resolutions fall short?
Usually this happens when you haven’t clarified the why. The why comes from a set of values that drives change. So the first question to ask yourself is why you want to hit the gym and get healthy.
- What does healthy look like?
- What value does it hold for you?
- What’s the appeal of being more healthy?
- What does the overall value of being healthy mean?
- How far away is this value for you?
In the context of being more healthy, how far away are you from this value? Does it feel like you‘re living with this value in focus? Or is way out of focus with a lot of effort required to get there?
This doesn’t mean that you’re failing. It may just mean that you’re focusing on the value of family instead, or personal relationships, or being successful in your career.
Consider the values you have paid less attention to recently and shift focus to them.
For example, imagine that one jar full of stones represents all our energy. If we remove all the stones to put them in other places, eventually we will have an empty jar – and no more energy.
We can pour 100% of our energy into one thing. Or separate our energy across many things and spread ourselves thin.
So one goal to aim for in 2025 is balance.
What is in balance and what is out of balance? What feels like it is going well and may only need some tweaking? And what needs an overhaul or construction to feel more inline with what’s important.
This is not someone else’s values, this is your values.
You may have broad values that shape your life. However, you also have other values such as work values, and family values, for example. And these may need assessing in more specific detail.
Overall, how are your values right now for 2025?
Better mental health in the new year
Re-focus your energy on what is important in your life.
Holidays can be a good time for some self-care to recharge yourself in preparation for setting goals. And then achieving your goals.
Switch from a busy doing mode – rushing to get everything done – to a being mode. In the being mode you can focus on being present in the moment. Focus on slowing down and enjoying life.
4 tips to try for a more healthy new year
- Focusing on sensory activities can help bring you into the here and now: breathe in fresh air; enjoy how a shower feels when it is hitting your skin; walk in the grass and pay attention to what it feels like; lay down in the sun, or listen to some music that you love.
- Take care of yourself by doing activities that give you pleasure or joy. Try singing, gardening, watching movies, walking the dog, journaling or doing things that you enjoy.
- To put yourself in a good space for 2025 you could focus on your spirituality. Remind yourself about your values to help you get in touch with what’s important. Spend time in nature, meditate, pray, go to church, or make a list of what you are grateful for.
- Don’t forget your physical needs. Go for a walk, start running again, or do some gentle stretches. Eating well is important, too.
By making a commitment to at least one small change in your day you can allow yourself to live a more peaceful 2025.
How to achieve your goals in 2025
Now that you’ve focussed on your values and centred what’s important to you, your goals may be clearer.
So how can you achieve your goals? What’s the best way to stay true to yourself? And how can you avoid having your resolutions fail?
In this video, Ali Abdaal shows how to make an action plan to set goals, and achieve them.
Talk to us
Get to know yourself better, work out your values and focus on what you want to achieve in 2025.
Or improve your relationships, or your motivation.
Reach out to us today for support.
Safe Place Therapy is your safe place to talk.
