New “YOU” Resolutions are better than New Year’s Resolutions

It’s so easy to get sucked into the whole pomp and circumstance of the start of a new year. And many of us, whether consciously or unconsciously, we’ll find ourselves swept up in the desire to set goals and take positive changes in our lives. These New Year resolutions are intended to help improve ourselves and our circumstances. However, despite our best efforts, these resolutions often fall by the wayside, leaving us feeling discouraged and defeated.

New You Resolutions are about cultivating self-kindness and patience which are the essential qualities that can help us navigate the ups and downs of life with greater ease and resilience. When we’re able to show ourselves compassion and understanding, it becomes easier to cope with challenges and setbacks, and we’re more likely to persevere in the face of adversity. Instead of dwelling on why you haven’t achieved your new year’s resolution, you settle into the knowledge that everything takes time. And it starts with giving ourselves permission to be patient with ourselves coupled with engaging in acts of self-kindness, so we can feel motivated and inspired to keep going.

So, I’ll share 10 strategies that I have used over the years to cultivate the power of self-kindness and patience in my life:

1. Practice gratitude and positive affirmations: One way to cultivate self-kindness and patience is to focus on the things we’re grateful for and to speak kindly to ourselves. I start each and every day by writing down three things I’m grateful for each day, or I’ll say them to myself as I look into the mirror. What I’ve discovered is that the words of gratitude serve as repetitive positive affirmations to myself.
2. Set boundaries and prioritize self-care: It’s important to set healthy boundaries and to make sure we’re taking care of our own needs. This might include setting aside time for relaxation and hobbies or saying no to commitments that drain us.
3. Seek support from others: Having a supportive network of friends and family can be a great source of strength and encouragement. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help or support when you need it.
4. Engage in mindfulness and meditation: Mindfulness and meditation can help us cultivate self-awareness and self-compassion. By focusing on the present moment and accepting our thoughts and feelings without judgment, we can learn to be more patient and understanding with ourselves.
5. Find joy and purpose in the present moment: Instead of getting caught up in regrets about the past or worries about the future, try to find joy and purpose in the present moment. This can help cultivate patience and a sense of contentment.
6. Let go of perfectionism and embrace imperfections: Perfectionism can be a major barrier to self-kindness and patience. Instead, try to embrace your imperfections and focus on progress and self-improvement, rather than striving for perfection.
   
7. Practice forgiveness and self-acceptance: Forgiveness and self-acceptance are important practices that can help us be more kind and patient with ourselves. Try to let go of grudges and negative self-judgment, and instead focus on self-acceptance and self-compassion.
8. Cultivate a growth mindset: Adopting a growth mindset, or the belief that we can improve and learn from our experiences, can be an important step in cultivating self-kindness and patience. Instead of dwelling on setbacks or failures, try to focus on opportunities for growth and learning.
9. Take breaks and allow for rest and relaxation: It’s important to take breaks and allow ourselves time to rest and relax. This can help prevent burnout and cultivate patience and self-compassion.
10. Seek professional help if needed: If you’re struggling to cultivate self-kindness and patience, it might be helpful to seek support from a mental health professional. They can provide guidance and support to help you develop these important qualities.

By incorporating these strategies into our lives, we can cultivate the power of self-kindness and patience and find greater peace and happiness in the present moment. New Year’s resolutions don’t have to feel so daunting or unattainable when we focus on being kind to ourselves first.