2023 has just hit and the new year has a lot of new events taking place and new people to be met. While it could seem as though making a new years resolution is “pointless” or “something that will never happen”, making goals that you can actively try to reach throughout the year is a smart idea. Goals can be made whenever you want, but a new year may just be the new beginning you are looking for. Whether you want to be healthier, change a part of your lifestyle, or just read more, making goals is a helpful way to make your desires become a reality.
The trick to goal-setting and new years resolutions is to make them achievable. When setting goals, create a plan that leads you to what you want. Make it achievable and keep setting new goals to improve it moving forward. Some important goals you may want to have for 2023 are healing, getting healthier, and improving your relationships. Here are some plans for achieving these goals.
Healing
Chances are there is something in your life that you need to heal from, whether it is a break-up, parental issues, friendship drama, or literally anything else that has unhealthily impacted you. While it seems easy to say you want to heal this next year, there needs to be a plan for healing that helps you rather than hurts you. Therapy is a great place to start because it allows you to communicate your feelings, process them, and get professional advice on how to move forward.
Another tool for healing is to adopt a hobby. Rest and rejuvenation are great ways to recharge, but a lot of people don’t realize that rejuvenation means doing things you enjoy. Start drawing! Learn to knit! Start a paint by number! Resting is amazing, but recharging is also important. Get that special thing you love doing and set time aside to do it.
Read more. Reading is a relaxing activity that allows you to learn more. Find books on topics that interest you. Read self-help books. Expand your mind and allow yourself to grow as a person. Reading is a great way to cool down and learn more, or just gives you a healthy hobby to improve yourself and your well-being.
Lastly, write your feelings down. Get a journal, and just write in it. Write how you feel, list things you’re thankful for, and write your dreams and goals. Get everything out. Journals are a great way to externally process everything you feel and what is going on whenever you need to. Your journal is completely confidential and can help you feel better because you are not bottling anything up.
Getting Healthier
Getting healthier is one of the most popular new years resolutions that there is. Most of us are constantly hoping to start working out more or eating healthier, but this goal seems like it is the most commonly failed goal there is. This is because many people don’t know where to start or make their goals surrounding getting healthier seemingly unobtainable and get overwhelmed in the process. But getting healthier does not need to be the difficult task it is made out to be. Take little steps when trying to get healthier; balance is critical to a healthy lifestyle. Decide to start cooking more meals yourself at home, and have less take-out. Decide to go to the gym twice a week, and when you have been consistent with that start going three or four times. Decide to start going to bed an hour earlier than normal, and then make it another hour earlier until you reach your goal. Know that small progress is progress. Baby steps will still get you to the finish line. Be consistent and go after your goal.
Improving relationships
Relationships are a large part of life, and yours may need some improvement this next year. Whether it is friendships, romantic partners, or family, there are ways of improving your relationships and getting to the healthy place you desire.
Friendships are wonderful. Everyone loves companionship and having a good group of people to go to. However, friendships can be difficult to navigate in college. Your schedule is busier, you have other priorities, and miscommunication can occur. It is important to look into your relationships this year so you can improve them. Set time aside for those you are close to and make plans with them. Make sure you communicate with your friends what you need, the necessary boundaries, and the plans that you have. This is the year to get closer to those around you.