Start a new season with an optimistic approach
and a fresh set of resolutions.
September isn't just the end of summer - it's an
opportunity for a new start.
Summer is always a big thing. During the summer
build-up we go on diets, attempt to shape up, try on last year’s clothes and
decide we still need a little more work. Now that summer’s coming to an end, we
tend to lose steam. But why give up the optimism?
Resolutions are usually made at New Year’s or
before the summer, but in some ways the chances of sticking to them are stacked
against you. Why? Because you’ll only compare yourself with others, whether you
like it or not, and when your mates start to fail it’s too easy to justify
following in their footsteps. And New Year’s is so loaded with expectation that
one slip-up feels like an earth-shattering disaster.
Seasonal
resolutions
So what about post-summer resolutions you can
make and work towards on your own terms? For a lot of us winter means greyness
and the overwhelming temptation to stay in bed. The idea of giving your life an
overhaul seems out of the question. But think about it, there’s a lot less
pressure and plenty of time to decide on things you really think you can
achieve.
The fact is, human beings are creatures of
habit, and even though making big changes can ultimately be very positive,
doing something different is always scary. Changing set patterns and routines
means that you have to step out of your comfort zone. What’s important to
remember is that change is sometimes necessary, as long as it’s not just on a
whim.
First steps
Write down a list of all the things you’d like
to do or change, even if some are impossible. Now pick the task that’s most
important to you, and possible to achieve. Break it down into smaller tasks and
set some deadlines for it. For example, if you’ve decided that you want to go
travelling around the world for a year you’ll need to work out how long it’ll
take you to save up, who you want to go with, what areas you want to visit, and
what vaccinations and insurance you need.
Dealing with
changes
Deciding to do something different can give you
a big boost. But sooner or later, the hard work sets in, and you might feel
that you just can’t be bothered. If you’ve broken down your tasks into smaller
sections, you can aim for certain milestones and reward yourself accordingly. If
you’re the type of person who loses motivation easily, make your rewards bigger
at the beginning to get your enthusiasm going. Or if you are too easily
satisfied, save the better rewards for the end.
Tips:
- Don’t try to do everything at once: too many people decide
that they want to go on a diet, join a gym, give up smoking, change their
job, and find a new partner all in one go. That just isn’t
going to happen all at once, and you’re only making your goals more
difficult to achieve. Big changes take time, and quick fixes can backfire,
leaving you feeling disheartened or even like a failure.
- Prepare yourself: there’s no point deciding to quit smoking
if you’re hoarding just-in-case ciggies under the mattress. The greater
the temptation, the quicker you’ll screw up. And you don’t want to keep
reminding yourself of what you’ve given up!
- Focus on the immediate: think about getting
through the next minute, hour or day. Imagining a lifetime without
alcohol/cigarettes/chocolate just won’t help. And the further you get, the
easier it will become!
Giving things up
Giving up anything that’s played an important
part in your life is going to be hard. There are bound to be times when your
resolve threatens to cave in, even once you think the worst is over. If you’re
giving up something tangible, like smoking, save the money you would otherwise
have spent. It soon builds up, and after the first tough month you can treat
yourself to something with all the money you’ve kept back.
Be optimistic
Don’t lose sight of the fact that masses of
people have been in your position, and gone on to conquer their bad habits. The
key is to set yourself up with strategies for overcoming those inevitable
moments of weakness, from talking things through with a mate to taking up an
activity that’ll keep you occupied.
Good luck!
Picture of a sunset by volunteer photographer
Sarah Barrett
