2023 Goals and Resolutions for the New Year
Here we are in a brand-new year! Each year should be full of hope, prospects, dreams, and goal setting. According to Webster’s Dictionary, a resolution is something that is resolved. Have issues? Make a resolution to fix those issues. Simply. Right?
Wrong.
Most New Year’s resolutions are broken within the first week to six weeks after it is made. You are setting yourself up for failure. Once it is broken, it is a free fall of poor choices and surviving until January 2024 comes barreling around the corner.
Another new year full of hope, prospects, dreams, and goal setting.
Broken resolutions again.
The cycle continues until Jesus comes back.
I do not want to begin each year with lofty expectations and ideals only to be defeated before the month ends. That is a depressing thought. So, for me, I do things a bit differently.
Monthly goal setting is something I have done for many years. Struggling with depression can sometimes cause me not to want to do anything. I mean ‘anything,’ as simple as brushing my teeth, eating healthy, and budgeting. Goal setting was something that I struggled with because I thought they had to be big, and I knew I would fail.
With that knowledge, I decided to set smart goals. For the first 30 days, I set the goals of drinking one bottle of water, brushing my teeth, and putting a bra on. That was it. After that month was over, I moved on to the next month. I kept the last three goals and added in getting dressed (in my clothes, not my husband’s clothes), eating lunch, and setting up a bathing schedule. After that month, I kept the last six goals and added three more.
These smart goals were attainable and have set me up for success. Again, I was severely depressed and struggled simply to get out of bed. These goals may seem trite to some people, but they were game changers for me.
Over the years, my monthly goals have gotten bigger. Last year, I proposed to do all the small things and add in bimonthly freezer cooking. Also, I went back to school. I have planned to stay in therapy though it has been challenging. A vulnerability has been a goal of mine. Oh, and reading books was another goal. I succeeded in those things though some are still work in progress.
My 2023 goals are loftier than before, and I want to let you know that I still have my smaller goals on that list. They are more of a habit now, so I do not have to think about doing them consciously. It is more automatic for me. So, for this month, these are some of my goals.
- This year, my goal is not to give a crap about what other people think of me. Today, a dear friend told me (12.31.22), “If anyone believes the BS of what others say about you, then they don’t truly know you. And they aren’t worth your breath to share your side (the truth).” That statement hit me hard. I do not want to give my breath to things that do not matter: my God, my husband, my children, my family, my heart, that is what matters. If you do not like me or believe something without asking me, that is your problem, not mine. This will be a constant move from month to month goal.
- Another thing I want to continue to work on is my weight goal. Last year, I joined weight watchers and lost about 20 lbs. I am proud to say that I have kept it off but need to lose a bit more. It has been a slow process that is quite annoying, but I see the difference in how my clothes feel even though the scale does not move much anymore.
- A big goal is my health. I have focused so long on everyone else that I do not even know how to behave when I am at the doctor’s office. I fumble my words, I do not know where to begin, and we end up just staring at each other. Something is going on with me, and we need to figure it out. So far, I know that I am 100% Lupus and 100% not. Weird, I know. I have a follow-up appt this month to see which road we walk down.
- My goal with my friend is to finish reading Psalm and since I think we will be done before the end of the month, we pick up another book. I’m not sure what book to start with but we will decide together.
- I would like to mark off something from my bucket list,
- stay in therapy,
- find a job,
- work on my perspective of certain things.
- Give more yeses than nos.
- Be more intentional with my kids and grand kids.
What are your 2023 goals? Are you setting smart goals, or have you thought of monthly goal setting? Let me know in the comments below! Next month, either roll-over goals or add new ones. We shall see!
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