While others are making (and breaking) New Year’s resolutions, I’m experimenting with a new tack: only one resolution.
My 2020 post New Year’s Resolutions for Healthy Survivors explained how “resolutions increase the chance of solving problems or, better yet, preventing problems—if you follow them.” That’s great. For patients, though, a list may feel burdensome.
While managing the demands of illness, more than one resolution may strain the ability to remember, which adds stress. The benefits of successfully fulfilling some resolutions may be erased by negative feelings triggered after failing at one. That’s why I’m thinking that one resolution may be more healing.
The commitment can be specific, such as resolving to begin each day by smiling before getting out of bed or by affirming appreciation for life—easily fulfilled in seconds. It can be celebrating weekly in a tangible way, such as by indulging in a favorite food or activity after six days of pleasurable anticipation. It can be mindfully adding coins to a donation box and enjoying the lingering lift of giving.
Alternatively, the resolution can be an overarching change, such as committing to avoid negativity—yours or others’. It can be to stay forward looking, consciously and quickly interrupting ruminations on failures or disappointments. Over time, practice may make the new outlook second nature.
My new calendar has a reminder noted in late December to blog about how this approach worked out for me. Meanwhile, if you were to make one resolution for 2023, what would it be?
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