Avoid New Year's Resolution Overwhelm

Happy New Year! I’m just interrupting your regularly scheduled Mel programming to offer up a timely tip. With the rollover of a new year, I think we can either:

Get so overwhelmed with our bright, shiny, I-will-make-this-year-better-than-last-year-so-help-me-Dolly-Parton plans that we end up frozen within a few days.

- OR -

Wonder “what’s the point?” of trying to grow or do anything different. Everything always stays the same and today is just another Friday.

I’m sure there are other variations, but I’ve definitely felt both versions of this in previous years.

So today, I just want to encourage you to simply…

Do something that matters to you.

Maybe it’s a new habit you’re working to install. Maybe it’s an old habit that supports your happiness. Maybe it’s spending some time with someone you love. Maybe it’s doing something fun or relaxing or exciting or rejuvenating. Maybe it’s picking up a project you’ve been meaning to work on.

Do something that matters to you and notice that you’re doing it.

The noticing is the important part. We do great things for ourselves all the time, but never make note of them and then don't feel motivated to continue. Just like when you finish that day feeling unsatisfied, but it’s only because you didn’t pay attention to the awesome way you took care of people in your life, you prioritized and took care of what mattered, and totally rocked the day.

My something that matters is going to be playing the guitar for 10 minutes. I’ve been “meaning to” relearn to play for a couple of years, but I finally borrowed a guitar from a great friend and now I can turn “meaning to” into doing at least for today. Tomorrow will take care of itself.

That’s it! Happy New Year!

Love,

Mel