It’s that time of year again where we begin wrapping up and reflecting on our biggest accomplishments of the year. In those moments of reflection, some of us may tend to find flaws in ourselves and begin to create lofty goals that are difficult to reach in the new year. While the new year is a fresh start full of opportunities, there is often immense pressure to achieve better versions of ourselves.
Unfortunately, there is an unspoken rule that resolutions should be all or nothing extremities. Our competitive culture has instilled in us this idea of punishing ourselves if we don’t succeed at something, and ultimately we can end up hurting ourselves more. This pressure to perform well and achieve these unreasonable goals might lead us to fail more than it does to help us succeed. Studies have shown that only eight percent of people who make a New Year’s resolution will follow through all year, and 80 percent of people quit by February. Some reasons that lead people to fail at keeping their goals moving forward include existing extremities (all or nothing behavior), having little or no accountability, or setting goals that are not measurable.
The issue with these types of goals is that they can lead to some degree of self-sabotage before you realize it. The idea is that we shoot for the stars, but life doesn’t always work that way. If you don’t ease your way into your goals, you might find yourself failing more. When we fail, it might impact our mental health in negative ways and can perpetuate a cycle of slipping back into old habits.
You can create healthy resolutions by following these steps:
Be reasonable. Expect yourself to fail at times, and know that results might be slow-moving. Understand that life happens and things can get in the way of your goals, so try to ensure your goals are healthy and can be achieved without harming your physical or mental health.
Create a timeline. Try to avoid being rigid in your timeline, and understand that your timeline should not be compared to anyone else’s. It will be more proactive and productive to make small, incremental goals instead of extreme expectations.
Monitor progress. Understand that nothing changes overnight, so it might be helpful to find an accountability partner to help you monitor progress. Keep a journal to acknowledge your feelings regarding your progress, and document your feelings about your goals and what obstacles you face.
Allow flexibility. Offer yourself flexibility and give yourself grace. If you don’t do well this month, try again next month! Instead of trying to set goals that might not benefit your mental health, find activities that make you happy instead.
The new year does not have to be a brand new you. Take the time to do something fun and adventurous, and prioritize your health over punishing yourself. If you find yourself struggling in giving yourself grace and putting pressure on yourself, it may be time to reach out to a mental health professional. They can provide more tools on ways to set goals and how to create healthy boundaries with yourself.
As the old Christmas song says, “Fast away the old year passes; hail the New Year, lads and lasses!” As we head into a new year, many people in our culture wonder about New Year's resolutions. Pippa Gumbel, co-leader of Holy Trinity Brompton with her husband Nicky, and part of the Alpha groups (which encourage the exploration of faith and the meaning of life in the UK), recently received a question from a listener, asking if Christians should have New Year's resolutions. “Of course, all of us make resolutions that we fail to keep. The good news is that each year is an *opportunity* for a fresh start. But then so is each week. Every Sunday is the first day of the week – a new beginning. Actually, every day is an opportunity for a new beginning. The first three words in the Bible are, ‘In *the beginning*…’ (Genesis 1:1). New Year's resolutions are a tool for personal growth, but the most important thing to remember is to not only prioritize your mental health, but your spiritual health throughout the process. If a particular resolution is causing significant stress or negatively impacting your well-being, feel free to reevaluate and adjust your goals as needed. Who do you want to become this year? Whatever habits you want to develop this year, it all starts by spending time with God in the Bible. What are you hoping for this new year? Maybe you want a fresh start from the pain in your past, or maybe you are coming into the new year with hope and expectancy. As we anticipate the future, we can draw near to God—right now—through prayer.”
Michael Youseff from Leading the Way Ministries encourages you to look to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and have confidence in the Lord's power to do great and new things in and through you for His glory. This year, let's focus on the glory of the Gospel and allow it to fully occupy our minds and impact every aspect of our lives.
Bible Passages
Each of these passages tells us something about new beginnings and new opportunities, and suggests some possible New Year’s resolutions.
Delight in the Bible - Psalm 1:1-6
Focus on Jesus- Matthew 1:1-25
Enjoy God’s Creation - Genesis 1:1-2:17
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."
— 2 Corinthians 4:16
Prayer
God,
We thank You for all that You’ve done, and we look to the future with hope.
Our world is full of brokenness that only You can mend, so we pray for opportunities to boldly proclaim the hope we have in You.
We pray for believers all over the world—that they would be unified in You, loving and supporting each other.
In all things, help us to fix our hope on You this year.
Give us strength to persevere, courage to share Your good news, and peace in knowing that You are always with us.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Resources
https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/americans-top-5-new-years-resolutions
The Bible with Nicky and Pippa Gumbel, Classic Version, 2024
Mabel Martinez-Almonte, MA, OTR/L, NCC
If you or someone you know is in a crisis, get help immediately. You can text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
DISCLAIMER: The content on this blog is generated for entertainment or/and informative purposes, but not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or behavioral health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.