Perhaps “permission” FOR A BREAK FROM DISCIPLINE from Sigmund Freud is a starting point…he is quoted as saying: “A holiday is a permitted — or rather a prescribed — excess, a solemn violation of a prohibition.”
AND I’m agreeing with Dr. Freud. Too much pressure to start a new year in a new and “perfectionist” manner is not the best way to begin. Everyone needs a break — from staying in bed with your favorite author’s new book to binge watching your most loved new series, to frequent naps, to long aimless walks vs intense exercise, to a long leisurely day — or even TWO — doing whatever appeals to you as you read this.
So consider this alternative: before shifting into GOALS FOR THE NEW YEAR (okay, RESOLLUTIONS if you insist)….
— give yourself a break of at least an hour — longer if you can
— pick a comfortable spot to relax, get as quiet as possible, and just let your mind wander
— if you are a meditator, give yourself 10 to 20 minutes for meditation
— if you don’t yet meditate, just let your mind wander….
— now shift to experimenting with visualization… imagine your life exactly as you’d like it to be…fantasy is encouraged!
— see yourself living where and how you most desire… this is about imagination vs reality
— bring yourself back to the present and write down everything that floated through your mind
— now ask: what PART, even the smallest part, of the visualizations/fantasies is actually possible…and write your answers
— finally, see what you’ve captured on paper that can be turned into goals (or resolutions) for the coming months
— be realistic vs idealistic and don’t over promise yourself on anything….
Take a relaxation break from the process. Have tea or coffee and walk around for a while. Now return to what you’ve written.
For each thing you want to put into practice in the coming months, identify and write down a start date. Next identify a date for checking into your progress. That can be a month or two or even three from your start date. Reflect at each point of evaluating. Are you doing what you want to do? Is it working? Can you reward yourself for progress vs giving yourself a hard time for any slips?
Now, hopefully you have a start. And hopefully a break from discipline was a good jump start! In fact, if you feel you’re struggling with progress on goals, give yourself another break from discipline….and start again.
And I wish you much good energy for heading your life in the direction you want. If you feel you need to talk to anyone about what you’re working on….if feeling at all frustrated….be sure to reach out. Discussing frustrations can often help you break through to new territory! And you can contact me with questions any time. Happy New Year!