Keeping Resolutions Simple

Resolutions are a tricky business. Without them, we might spend the next year bumping along aimlessly missing opportunities to grow and improve. But often, these same resolutions are sunk by the events of ‘life’ within a few weeks or months.  It seems like so much of it has to do with our mindset in the moment.  Perhaps keeping things small (ish) and simple might be just what we need.

Press pause for just a few seconds, and take a nice breath in through the nose, and out through the mouth.  This can help you refocus what might be rattling around in your brain onto something more helpful and positive.

Move more and eat better. It doesn’t have to be a complete overhaul of your schedule and your meals.  In the moment, do something small.  Park farther away.  Cut up the cucumber when you get home from the store. Walk around the house during a commercial.  Split the dessert.    

Once a week, before you reach for a snack, make an impulse purchase, or send a snarky text or post, give yourself 15 or 20 minutes and see if the urge passes.  Go outside, sort that pile of mail, drink a glass of water or fold some laundry to distract yourself. 

Reach out to someone.  It can be someone you know, or someone you don’t know. Share a smile or a kind word. These small kindnesses can really create a positive ripple for them, and for you.

And, when even the small (ish) and simple things seem too much, give yourself a break.  Take a minute to check in with yourself; you know yourself best.  In this moment, maybe you need to pick something even smaller.  Or maybe you just need to rest, and try again tomorrow.