New Year, New Opportunity

New Year, New Opportunity

Happy New Year!

My wish is that you are starting the year off with hope and possibility.  A New Year is a new opportunity for growth and change.  Although, you don’t need another New Year to start positive changes in your life, the New Year is a good way to start with a fresh clean slate.

Have you made a resolution for 2016 yet?

  • Better health?

  • Weight loss?

  • Quit smoking?

While many people chose to focus on resolutions to change their physical health, consider doing something to better your metal or emotional health.  In the past I’ve had clients say, 

 “Why make a resolution at all, come February I’ll have forgotten what my goal was”.  

 While it is true that many New Years resolutions have exhausted themselves by February, it is often due to the types of goals being made.  If you choose a goal to run a mile a day, when you aren’t running at all, it may be difficult for you to achieve.  After a week of not running a mile a day, you give up hope and give up your goal.  However, if you choose something tangible and realistic you may gain self confidence by completing your goal.  

 If you are looking to make a resolution for 2016, it is never too late to start. 

 Here are 3 ways to help you make your New Years resolution last:

  • Keep it Simple – If you are looking to shed a few pounds in the new year, start simple. Do not try to diet, join a gym, and drastically change your eating habits all at one time.  While you may be able to maintain that momentum for a week, it would be impossible to maintain all at one time.  Start by choosing one way you can better your health.  Keep it reasonable.  If you are joining a gym, make a goal to go 3 times a week.  Keep track of the days and know that if something comes up you have a few flexible days to keep you on track.  

  • Try A New Type of Goal – If in the past you’ve only made physical resolutions, try making a new kind of resolution this year.  While it is important to maintain good physical health, your mental and emotional health is also important.  What is causing you the most stress in your life right now? Work? Family? In- Laws? An Ex? Look for ways you can reduce this stress in your life.  Maybe your resolution isn’t about working less, but maybe incorporating a new hobby or form of relaxation to help balance your busy schedule.  If you are struggling with resolving a relationship, committing to therapy can be a goal to help resolve the relationship or allow you to find peace with it’s current status.  

  • Not Achieving, is not Failing – Whatever your goal may be, you may need time to get adjusted to the change.  Just because you didn’t accomplish your goal this week, does not mean you’ve failed.  True change takes time, and it’s ok to stumble along the way.  If you wanted to go to the gym 3 times a week, and only made it once this week- acknowledge the barriers that are preventing you from going and start a clean slate for the next week.  Each week you have a new opportunity to achieve your goal again.  If you resolved to mend a broken relationship in your life, understand those types of repairs do not occur overnight.  Depending on the relationship there many be hurt and years of anguish to over come.  Just because the relationship does not repair overnight does not mean the relationship won’t ever change.  Keep working toward your goal, looking at each week with a new opportunity for growth.

Whatever your resolution is for the New Year, Hope Therapy Center wishes you health, and happiness. 

We are here to help you achieve your goals.  Therapy can help you explore ways to change behavior, contact us today.  Our Burbank Therapy office is warm and positive place to start changing your life today.

Photo by Jason Dent on Unsplash