Goal setting for yourself, not others

Setting goals is important, but being kind with yourself is crucial

“New year, new me” is a rhetoric that we see on all social media platforms towards the end of every year. It is a time for people to reflect and decide what changes they’d like to bring into the new year and what they’d like to leave in the old year. It is the perfect time to set resolutions for yourself.

I have seen many people mock those who utter phrases such as “new year, new me.” The reality is people should not be made fun of for trying to make changes in their lives. Self-awareness is the key we all need to determine the path and future we want for ourselves. I like to make short term goals that will help me in the long run. I like to write down all my goals and take the time to visualize them. To do so, I create mood boards and vision boards for the new year. It feels better when you can picture them. I like to set habits and stick to the habits I do. Journaling, yoga, and Pilates are all things I enjoy. It is important to remind myself why I enjoy them and why they are good for my physical and emotional well-being.

It takes about a month for something to become a habit, which means that it is important to set reasonable goals for yourself, ensuring that they are goals that will not overwhelm you in the long run. If something is not working out for you, then perhaps it is time to change things. This is completely normal.

Often it feels like a failure if we get overwhelmed because of these new goals. It is important to understand that it is okay if a particular routine does not work for you. What works for someone else might not work for you, and what works for you might not work for others. Comparing where you are in life to where others are in life will only make you miserable. Comparison is the thief of joy.

In the past, I have made goals that were extremely unreasonable. When things did not go the ways I planned for them to go, it was difficult for me. Today, I would say that version of me is gone and that it is okay for me to take a detour. Sometimes life just does its own thing, and it is up to you to let it happen instead of wallowing in despair and self-pity. I understand that this is easier said than done. It takes a lot of practice.

Setting goals for yourself is a tool that can help you cultivate the life that you want. It helps you curate every aspect of your life and how you would like it to go. The reality is that the most important relationship we will ever be a part of is the one we have with ourselves. It is important to nurture that relationship because, at the end of the day, it is all that will always stay with you. Nurturing your emotional well- being and your mental health is crucial to moving forward in life. The pandemic has been extremely difficult for so many people and it is a blessing to still be alive and well today. I hope people realize that it is okay to be unsure about the future. Ultimately, we are all trying our best given our circumstances.