Author: Amber French
I like to set resolutions. I do it all year long.
Some I say quietly to myself “I resolve to never eat that much peanut butter again – until next Tuesday”. Some I shout from the mountains (aka post on my Facebook page).
I like resolving to accomplish, give up, claim, conquer, surrender or accept something. I don’t think we need to reset only when the calendar flips from December to January. It is healthy to reevaluate and commit to things all year long. Short term resolutions can boost your confidence to tackle the bigger things.
But how do I know when I am setting myself up for failure or setting the stage for a inner dialogue that is ready to remind me that I can’t follow through on anything or that I lack the skills to cope with my said resolutions?
I have criteria for my resolutions. If a resolution doesn’t stack up it doesn’t happen.
Let’s start by looking at the word resolution. According to the all-knowing Google search Resolution has two acceptable definitions;
1. a firm decision to do or not to do something.
2. the action of solving a problem, dispute, or contentious matter.
I think typical resolutions fall into category #1. I prefer to fit mine into category #2!
I don’t want to denounce something and swear to never do it again (or start doing it immediately) in all situations and circumstances.
Instead, I would like to identify my problem (cause let’s face it if it wasn’t a problem it wouldn’t need a resolution. This way I have can have as many courses of actions as I may need to get to my resolution.
Let’s test-drive that. My Problem is eating too much peanut butter. If I go route #1 I denounce all peanut butter….and stare at the jar until one of us blinks. I then promptly eat all the contents of the jar (serves him right for staring at me). Resolution broken and confidence shaken.
Let’s look at route #2. I identify my problem: I eat too much peanut butter: This time I make a list of all the possible ways I can solve my problem and come to a resolution!!!
See where I am going??
Option #1 destroy all spoons in my house
Option #2 stop buying peanut butter
Option #3 start only hanging out with people with nut allergies
Option #4 stock the fridge with other nut butters
Option #5 start tracking when I eat PB and see if there are any other factors effecting the decision to gorge.
Option#5 take up knitting and see if PB consumption lowers
Option #6 Get more sleep and see if PB consumption continues to lower
Option #7 Stock my fridge with other viable snack options…..
You get the point.
You see this way, every day (whether I eat peanut butter or not) I am working toward my resolution. It can never be broken and therefore I am never disappointed and cruel to myself. As long as I have a new plan to tackle my problem I am constantly working toward my resolution until the right solution for me is found and sticks…resolving my problem indefinitely.
TRY IT, any problem, multiple resolutions, it works!!!!!
Make your resolutions from a place of kindness and self worth and you are armed and ready to resolute any day of the year!
Need help finding “resolutions” to your “problem” give me a shout. Glad to help!!
info@theveganhouse.ca
Happy Resoluting,
Amber
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