The new year still lies before us like a blank slate. For many, the holidays are a welcome opportunity to reflect on what we could do better or differently in the future. And to reflect on what our resolutions for 2022 actually turned out to be. Were we actually able to implement them? Or did things not go as originally planned? No problem: With clear ideas and a bit of goodwill, you won't miss the goal or get lost along the way.
Image: Well, whose resolution is also to eat healthier?
Whatever you start, do it because you want to.
Often, good intentions are rooted in a guilty conscience. Because experience has shown us what we've wanted to change many times without actually doing it. Or we allow ourselves to be pressured from outside, from family, friends, and (social) media. Neither of these is ideal. The desire for change should come from within and reflect our own values. Am I staying true to myself if I stop doing this or that? If that's true for you, it'll be easier to give up limiting habits and embrace new ones.
Image: Stay true to yourself.
Is the list too long or the ambition too high?
Whether you want to finally declutter your basement or balcony, or spend more time with family and friends. Whether you want to stop saying yes to everything, live a more mindful life, or consume less: Some resolutions are easy to implement, while others require an iron will and a lot of perseverance. How long will you last to reach your goal? Not every resolution has to be stubbornly pursued for an entire year. Often, small changes or shorter periods of time are enough to make you feel better—and proud of yourself.
Image: Even the smallest plant can grow into a tree.
Every stage is a milestone.
Take enough time and create a coherent plan. Don't aim for an unrealistic ideal, and choose the right time to start. If you want to jog more, it's best to start in spring, not January. The same rule applies here: Even the longest journey begins with the first step. You just have to take it. If you proceed this way, there will be fewer obstacles to your good intentions. Be happy when you reach a milestone and reward yourself for it. This motivates you and increases your success rate.
Image: Step by step - this is how you reach your goal.
Practice new routines slowly but steadily.
Do you want to reduce your ecological footprint by a few notches and bring more sustainability into your life? Buy only seasonal and regional food. Or actively help protect the environment: Choose sustainably produced clothing or consider replacing that slightly broken TV, slow PC, or cell phone with a scratched screen with a new one. Many things can be repaired inexpensively. This way, you'll also save resources and energy.
Image: How about your own organic vegetable garden?
Imagine, ...
...how a new job would inspire you, how you could live a fitter life, or how you'd no longer have to spend money on cigarettes. Visualize your own personal successes; this will also help you achieve your resolutions. Create a concrete image of them and keep it in mind. Every thought has the potential to manifest into reality. This will also give you new strength to overcome even greater challenges. Good luck—and keep at it! And not just for your own sake.
