What is it about a new year that makes setting resolutions so enticing?  Even if you don’t set New Year’s resolutions, there is most likely talk of it all around you.  Why is this the case?

Though there are probably many reasons, we’ll focus on one today:

The lure of a clean slate.

Isn’t there something refreshing about having a clean slate?  All the past failures and disappointments wiped away, leaving a blank page ripe with all the possibilities.

That’s what a new year can signify.  And perhaps that’s why it’s a common time to resolve to do or be something different.

But it seems a clean slate draws us not only for this newness, but for the perfection of it all.  The future has no mistakes, no failures, no disappointments.  It only has possibilities.  

While that is great (and quite helpful to get our creative juices flowing!) seeing it this way can prove problematic:

• We think of our future selves as living out those perfect lives-finally!

• Once we do experience a setback, a mistake, a goal not achieved, we think we haven’t lived up to the perfect version of ourselves that we had in mind, so we might as well toss those resolutions out the door.

Sound familiar?  

So how do we take advantage of the clean slate moments, as this can prove helpful when starting new habits, while not getting off course when perfection doesn’t happen?  

1. Set resolutions/goals/intentions/habits in the context of your real life.

Take into account all the things you have going on and how this new way of operating can fit into your life (ex. If this is going to be a really busy year for your family, how can you still achieve what you want, knowing this is true?).

2. Squash all or nothing thinking. 

Thinking we have to do something perfect or not do it at all really upends our health goals.  When you see this pattern of thinking crop up, employ the “win-learn vs. win-lose” mentality.  There’s always something to learn about what didn’t go right, and this gives you new information that can help you as you pursue your goals.

3. Create more “clean slate” moments.

New Year’s doesn’t have to be the only clean slate moment.  A new week can serve as this, and so can a new day.  In fact, you can even start over every hour!  Adopting a clean slate mentality as often as possible can encourage you to keep going when you face setbacks.

If you find you’d like some assistance in adopting this new way of looking at resolutions or health goals, consider hiring a wellness coach!  

We walk you through goal-setting for your real life and out of the all-or-nothing mentality.  And we believe a “win-learn” rather than “win-lose” mindset is key for the self-compassion necessary to make lasting health changes.

Wondering if wellness coaching is for you?  Check out our free PDF:  5 Ways to Know If Wellness Coaching Is Right For You!

Photo Credits:
Photo by Beth Rufener on Unsplash
Photo by Eric Nopanen on Unsplash
Photo by Tim Arterbury on Unsplash