Negative Aspects of New Year's Commitments
In the spirit of the New Year, many people make resolutions in hopes of self-improvement. However, these resolutions can sometimes have a negative impact on mental health.
The all-or-nothing thinking in resolutions can contribute to stress and burnout. Resolutions often have a short-term focus, leading to long-term neglect and a cycle of starting strong and then 'failing'. Unrealistic expectations in resolutions can fuel anxiety and depressive thoughts. Many resolutions are framed around quick fixes, such as 30-day challenges or crash diets, that do not promote sustainable change.
To minimize these negative effects, it is important to set realistic, specific, and flexible goals. Focus on small, manageable steps instead of overwhelming tasks. Remain accountable by writing down your resolutions and sharing them with others. Practice self-compassion during setbacks and normalize the occasional need to restart with kindness.
One clear and achievable resolution is better than multiple overwhelming goals. Breaking goals into tiny, easy steps builds momentum and reduces stress. Regularly reflecting on progress and unseen wins cultivates self-compassion and reduces self-criticism.
Engaging with therapy can provide valuable support for making resolutions more achievable and improving mental resilience throughout the process. Therapy can help with self-awareness, realistic goal setting, and coping skills.
Following flexible plans that bend with life’s demands, such as the “9-to-1 rule” approach, helps accommodate unpredictability without giving up. Avoid vague or overly ambitious goals which often lead to feeling overwhelmed and negatively impact mental health; focus instead on clear, measurable, and adaptable objectives.
Mental health often gets sidelined in New Year's resolutions, leading to neglect and potential worsening of symptoms of anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion. Change is not linear, so allowing room for back and forth until the time between becomes longer can promote a more sustainable path to personal growth.
By rethinking the way we approach New Year's resolutions, we can reduce unnecessary mental health burdens and cultivate a more compassionate, sustainable path to personal growth. Registering on Belongly allows you to join conversations about this article. Applying now is an option for joining Belongly.
Therapists can offer valuable support for making resolutions more achievable and improving mental resilience during the process. Therapy can help with self-awareness, realistic goal setting, and coping skills that are essential for personal growth. Instead of focusing on New Year's resolutions that neglect mental health, it's important to aim for clear, measurable, and adaptable objectives that promote long-term sustainable change. Engaging with education-and-self-development resources, such as Belongly, can help you explore different strategies and connect with others who are pursuing similar goals. Strengthening your understanding of mental health through these resources can lead to better self-compassion, reduced self-criticism, and fostering a health-and-wellness-oriented mindset in your personal-growth journey.
