One resolution to rule them all
The end-of-year holidays mark a season of celebration and joy, yet they can also usher in stress and a constant state of busyness. As the holiday rush subsides, a new year dawns, bringing with it the expectation of renewing existing resolutions or creating new ones.
This scenario is familiar to many of us: we start with well-intentioned goals and set them in motion with great gusto!
However, as time elapses, our newfound enthusiasm wanes and before we know it, another new year is upon us, and we do it all over again! Statistics indicate that around 80% of resolutions have faltered by February. Traditional New Year’s resolutions often come with a sense of urgency, leading to ambitious and occasionally unrealistic goals. The challenge often arises from our search for quick fixes, the restlessness of our minds, and the common struggle to change our habits – a recipe for disappointment!
How can we break free from this disheartening cycle?
Enter – the transformative potential of mindfulness and the flexibility and adaptability it offers. Instead of deadlines or specific outcomes, mindfulness encourages ongoing self-improvement and personal growth. It allows room to adjust as needed, avoiding the typical ‘all-or-nothing’ mindset. Furthermore, grasping the driving forces that underpin our goals and aspirations is vital in charting our path towards them. Through the practice of reflective and non-judgmental awareness, we can assess the achievements and challenges of the past year. This insight can shape mindful intentions for the year ahead, aligned with our values and emotional well-being.
Let’s further delve into how mindfulness can act as the sole resolution that supersedes all others.
Pursuit of happiness
Resolutions, often rightly so, place happiness as an end goal. In our consumer-driven modern world, it’s tempting to seek short-term pleasures from external sources, which ultimately fail to provide lasting happiness. True happiness resides within us and can be unlocked through a mindful approach. When we take a moment of stillness, we
can observe our bustling minds filled with thoughts, emotions, and narratives, masking the underlying contentment. With the aid of mindfulness practices, we can peel away these layers, revealing a calmer, clearer, and more compassionate mindset – the ideal conditions for happiness to thrive.
Managing life’s unpredictability and stress
After setting resolutions, life’s unforeseen twists often disrupt our well-laid plans, leading us to find reasons to abandon them. Stress tends to reignite long-established habits, for example a
work deadline or family emergency can quickly derail healthy eating, sleep routines and self-care. Mindfulness enables us to consistently self-assess our inner state and the emotions guiding our actions. Regular meditation has been proven to reduce the size of the amygdala, which is closely linked to stress and fear responses. This reduction allows us to maintain a composed demeanour during times of stress, helping direct us to make more informed choices toward constructive behaviour.
Letting go of perfectionism
Mistakes are integral to the learning process and our personal growth, they don’t define us as failures; rather, they emphasise our humanity. A peaceful and lucid mind shaped by mindfulness is far more receptive to uncertainty and imperfection. This mindset empowers us to engage with situations openly, acknowledging that habits often require weeks or even months to form. Thus, it’s essential to blanket ourselves with acceptance, kindness, and patience, reinforcing that the journey is equally as significant as the destination.
Focusing on positivity
Resolutions can often be aimed at stopping certain behaviours. It’s ironic that these come after weeks of festive indulgence, which can lead to an excessive focus on ending negative habits.
Conversely, mindfulness cultivates a more positive perspective by redirecting our attention to the benefits we can attain, such as improved health, happiness, and a greater appreciation
of life’s simple pleasures. This heightened sense of gratitude naturally leads to a more optimistic outlook. So, this New Year, let’s ditch the unrealistic resolutions and break the cycle! Instead, with mindfulness as our compass, let’s infuse our thoughts with self-awareness and compassion so we can gracefully navigate the upcoming year with a sense of purpose, personal growth, and contentment.
Namaste and warmest season’s greetings!
By Namita Davey, Digital Projects Lead
