The new year always rolls in with the promise of new beginnings and fresh starts. Many of us find it hard to resist the idea of initiating something new without much thought to unsuccessful attempts in the past. We are able to step outside of the thought loops which for some of us derail our best laid plans before they even take off the ground. Whether it is hitting the gym, cleaner eating, or setting healthier boundaries, everyone has a new vision of what they would like to bring with them into the New Year.
Make Lasting Resolutions
We are enthusiastic and hopeful that our new habits will be long-lasting. But sadly, many of us give up on our resolutions before the first quarter of the year is over. There are many factors impacting the longevity of our resolutions. Some would say what matters is how resolute we truly are, but I would beg to differ. Perhaps it has less to do with our resolve than it does with our own fluctuating emotional landscape. Because our moods impact our energy levels, on days when we feel our energy reserves are low, we can be flexible and adjust our expectations.
Tune Into Your Energy
Within every resolution, there can exist high energy and lower energy octaves of the same goal or objective. For example, we can set the goal of not going to bed with the day’s makeup still on. So, what that could look like is on days that our energy levels are optimal, that could mean getting up and washing our face over the sink. Whereas on lower energy days a makeup wipe at the side of the bed does the job. Or when it comes to working out. Deciding to hit the gym for a full workout seems more feasible on days when our energy levels are optimal. On days when there is less time and energy, a 30-minute walk on our lunch break may be just what we need in order to maintain a sense of constancy in achieving our resolutions. Either way being able to recognize the need to remain flexible with our expectations as they pertain to our emotions can be as important as the resolutions themselves.
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About Nikki Lemke:
Nikki sees clients who struggle with depression and anxiety, pregnancy and peripartum issues, personality disorders, moods disorders, relationship transitions such as divorce, remarriage, parenting teens, as well as clients pursuing spiritual integration and growth work. I apply a variety of modalities working with my clients such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Gestalt, & Gottman.
Nikki understands that you have an expert view into your own life. As your therapist, her job is to learn about you! How your values, background, experiences, dreams and aspirations shape your perspectives. In session, Nikki holds space for you to examine self-limiting beliefs, out dated value structures and negative self-concepts which have outgrown their usefulness.