Every year it seems to become less and less popular in The Netherlands: New Year’s resolutions. For example, only a quarter of Dutch people think January is a good time to start with resolutions. Of course you don’t have to do this directly on the first of January, starting with resolutions later on in the year may work better for you. However, setting goals for yourself offer a dot on the horizon. Are you planning to set your New Year’s resolutions? Consider the question: “are my resolutions, healthy resolutions?” Because with healthy intentions you increase your chance of success!
Resolutions versus healthy resolutions
New Year’s resolutions offer you a moment to think about what you want to achieve in the new year: losing 5 kilos, becoming more productive or spending more time with family and friends. Quite fine to want that for yourself. Definitely worth it to spend time and effort on it! However, these resolutions often stem from something negative (such as fear or dissatisfaction with yourself). For example, you want to lose that 5 kilos because you believe you are unattractive. Or you want to be more productive because you are dissatisfied with what you have achieved or think of yourself as lazy. You actually tell yourself that you are not good enough as you are now. And that is how you give yourself a false start.
Increase your chance of success
Whether you start immediately in January or start to work with your resolutions later in the year, make sure you start from a healthy place. Healthy resolutions stem from self-love and self-compassion. The chance that you will make a lasting change in your life is much bigger!
A few examples of a health resolutions:
- I’m going to take good care of my body this year because I deserve better. I don’t want to eat junk food, I listen to my body and I take time to take good care of my body.
- This year I will make my dreams come true: I am good at what I do, I enjoy it and I want to make time for that. That way I can learn and grow even more.
- I deserve loving and healthy relationships with the people around me. This year I invest more time and attention in the people who are important to me. I enjoy time with them, I accept them as they are and they accept me as I am. Relationships that don’t work, I let go. This way both parties can go their own way.
There is nothing wrong with the desire to change things, but try to start from the positive and self-compassion. With the right motivation you will really change things and you will see that life is getting better and better!
Do it step by step and take your time. Reward yourself regularly too! Do you need some help with self-compassion, self-confidence or goal setting? We are happy to help you further! For more information about online help, visit our Getting Started page.
