Relationships December 24, 2017
Don't be too hard on yourself. You got this.
Are you feeling pressured to have an AMAZING 2018 already?
There’s nothing wrong with having a few New Year’s resolutions, especially if they’re in your health’s best interest. However, with all of the “resoluting” going on, it’s easy to feel like your reasonable goals for 2018 aren’t big enough.
So if you’re feeling the pressure to be INCREDIBLE in 2018, here are some healthy reminders to supplement your New Year’s resolutions.
1. You are not an incomplete person if you don’t know how to cook properly.
2. Going to the gym is awesome, but do not emotionally punish yourself if you don’t.
3. If the completion of your goals depends on other people, you may need to give yourself more than a year to finish it.
4. Some parts of the plan are out of your hand.
5. Instead of always looking at the ways you could improve, remember to sometimes reflect on all the ways you are enough.
6. If you don’t feel like you are enough, see if there’s anyone in particular who is making you feel that way.
7. Bring this to their attention. If nothing changes after several tries, spend as little time with this person as possible.
8. You don’t have to strive to be an “expert” at any particular skill by December 31, 2018. Striving to be intermediate, or even an amateur by the end of the year is also perfectly respectable.
9. Just because you didn’t finish (insert insanely dense and long book trilogy or the Bible here) this year, that doesn’t mean your work ethic is a hopeless cause.
10. You are physically, emotionally, and spiritually stronger than you think.
11. Breathe.
12. Don’t let anyone’s negative opinion of you be the reason you strive for success. Succeed for your own personal growth.
13. If you’re financially in debt, don’t let your spirit feel that debt. If you’re currently working to repay it, you’re doing exactly what you should be doing.
14. Try to be conscious of all the times you furrow your eyebrows or frown (traffic, late for work…so yeah, driving in general). Once you notice your negative facial expression, try relaxing these muscles. Not only will you probably delay the onset of wrinkles, but it can improve your mood. I did this every day this summer, and it turned Los Angeles rush hour into a blissful meditation exercise. This could probably be one of the most relaxing New Year’s resolutions you adopt.
15. The existence of a love life does not have anything to do with vocational or personal success. In fact, the very feeling of love can produce the same hormones as extreme stress.
16. If you want to be amazing at something, make a list of things at which you are already amazing.
17. If you find yourself not liking who you are, serve your community. In an interview with Entity, actress Meredith Scott-Lynn revealed that serving her community keeps her sane…despite her insane success in the entertainment business and children’s education.
18. Being the best version of yourself does not mean be the most strung-out version of yourself.
19. Force yourself to like your body. You don’t have to love every little thing about it, but choose the aspects you’ve always appreciated, even if subconsciously. If you don’t like your weight, focus on the positive qualities of your skin. If you don’t like your skin, focus on what you appreciate about your hair color.
20. Don’t let choice paralyze you. Pick a path, and if it’s the wrong one, you’ll know pretty quick.
21. Don’t be too hard on yourself. You got this.
We hope this relieved you from any pre-2018 stress brought on by too many New Year’s resolutions. After all, the new year brings enough stress on its own.
