Resolutions Out, Goals In!
Wow, 2023 disappeared and already 2024 is slamming me into work mode.
Once we hit the new year many of us start evaluating the previous year and what we can do to make the next even better. So, of course we start thinking about New Year’s resolutions, yuk. Do you remember the last time you actually stuck to one of these? I can’t even remember the last time I set one. I don’t bother anymore because I find they cause me stress and anxiety for some reason. I believe it’s because they always feel like a promise to myself, and I don’t like breaking promises.
This year, how about joining me in setting goals instead of resolutions? So, if your resolution about eating healthier and hitting the pavement each day is still gathering dust somewhere, then join me instead.
What's wrong with Resolutions?
Nothing if you are a better person than me. 😆 I always feel that a resolution is like a year-long promise to yourself, and wowser, are they ever hard to maintain for a whole year! If you’re like me, breaking a promise doesn’t make you feel all that great. You feel like you’ve failed somehow and just end up adding a lot of pressure to yourself. I mean, life throws a lot at us as it is, why make it harder on ourselves?
Instead of resolutions, that always seem to have a negative vibe to them, let’s instead think about positive goals to make our lives easier and more enjoyable.
Goals: The New Resolution on the Block
Setting goals instead gives us a positive and beneficial approach to the New Year. It can be a lot of fun and empowering setting goals. Here are a few simple steps to help:
Grab a cup of coffee or tea, or a glass of bubbly (if it’s not too early in the day lol), your favourite notebook and pen, find a comfy spot, pop on some music you love, whether it’s meditative or some fun pop music, relax, smile and enjoy the process.
Think about what you truly want to achieve this year. Don't rush this process, relax and enjoy it. You could even close your eyes for a few minutes and try imagining what you want to see in 2024.
Write out your list of goals. They can be anything from more me time, to travelling, to specific goals you want to achieve.
Remember to revisit and adapt your goals as you make your way through 2024. Goals don’t have to be permanent rocks in life, they should adapt to you and your changing desires.
Don’t be too hard on yourself if you notice you’re not meeting your goals. This is the great thing about setting goals. They can be changed or adapted as you grow, and your objectives change. This is why I love goals instead of resolutions. It’s all about personal progress, not perfection!
To help you out, here are some of my current goals for 2024:
Grow my art business. (A big focus for me this year).
Continue to grow my painting techniques and style. (I love change and continual learning).
Grow my email list and create beautiful content for my community. (Join me if you like, link down below).
Put more structure in my work day by planning in advance; set out tasks I need to accomplish in my business by using a calendar/planner and check them off as I achieve them. (Tick).
Be more unapologetically me on Instagram! (Fun!).
Bring more colour and love into my life by painting what I love. (More pink? Yes please. 😆).
Find more time for me, including meditating, walking, stretching, enjoying my morning coffee, relaxing with my little dog, enjoying nature. (Yes!).
Spend as much time as I can with my family having fun and laughing. (Time with my family makes me so happy).
Use affirmations for a positive mindset – make them visible, write them down when I need to, say them out loud. (Must remember this one more often).
You can see that I don’t set true ‘goals’, meaning they can’t all be measured, but that’s the way I am rolling this year. I want to be much kinder to myself. I want you to also be kinder to yourself. I think the world needs it more than ever. 💝
Affirmations Examples
I thought I would pop in some affirmations that I will be using this year in case you want to try them too (from Gabby Bernstein):
I am a super attractor
I am creative
I am a magnet for good and only good comes to me
I am fully supported by the universe
I am right where I need to be
I am love
I am confident
I am strong
I am healthy
I am abundant
Today I choose to be great
The minute I stop caring about what others think is the minute I start being myself
Inspiration flows through me naturally
I believe I am worthy of what I desire
I am right where I need to be.
There are so many more affirmations. You can even create your own to suit your current goals. Just sit down and write short beautiful, positive statements that resonate with you.
Conclusion: Your Year, Your Way
So, are you ready to give resolutions the boot and embrace goals instead? Let’s do this together. Just remember, it’s ok and normal to slip occasionally and have negative thoughts, we’re human, it’s about how you handle them that matters. Just stop, remind yourself of your goals, decide if they need changing, think about one of your affirmations, and reset. This is one of my goals when I slip, to choose love and positivity instead. I may not always achieve it, but I will be aiming for this goal. 🥰
If you have any amazing affirmations to share, then please email them to me. It’s always great to have a bank of beautiful affirmations.
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