We are just passed Mardi Gras mode and as I call it, the New Orleans New Year has finally started. My January New Year’s goals and resolutions have lost their momentum. I am back to many of my old habits and ways of doing things. And just like every year during Mardi Gras, the abundance of King Cake is not helping me with my goal of eating better.
One small part of my goals for the new year was to not lose sight of my goals. So back in January, I put it on my calendar at the end of each month to check in on myself and my goals. That popped up this week and it hit me kinda hard that the excitement of the new year only lasted about 2.5 weeks. That didn’t feel great. I think I heard most people fall off of their resolutions by January 17th. Yep, that is me.
Every year for the last couple of years, I have picked a word/motto of the year. This year it is to “stay motivated.” So while I realize I have slowed down and am not as motivated as I was on January 1st, my calendar reminder brought me back to home base. It gave me the opportunity to reflect on what I really want to achieve and adjust my mindset again to keep moving forward and “stay motivated.” I hope this post can do the same for you.
If you are feeling less motivated than you did back on January 1st, revisit the list you made, and let’s make some progress. Even if it is small. Sometimes it is one small step that can make the biggest impact. It can give you the head start you may need.
First, give yourself some credit. I am sure you did something great in the first 2 weeks of January, if so, what was it? Reflect on the feeling you had in the first week after you went to the gym, or made the healthier food choice, or finally cleaned out the junk drawer.
A few ideas for you:
Were you going to eat better? You can start eating better any day of the week. It doesn’t have to be January 1. Just start somewhere. Are you trying to cut out sweets altogether? Adjust to no dessert after dinner but eating after lunch is ok? Make one small adjustment so you don’t think you are throwing in the towel altogether.
Were you going to exercise more? Maybe the first week felt great but you were really sore so you skipped week 2. Or you were tired because you did too much. Try 30mins at the gym instead of an hour. Take a walk instead of running. Do 10 squats instead of 100.
Did you want to be more present with your kids? Put your phone away for 1 hour and play their favorite game. Ask them to take a ride with you to the store and play I spy in the car. Turn the TV off during dinner and just talk. Lately, rather than me just asking them questions about their days, I started telling them about mine. It’s got them to them ask questions and keep the conversation going.
Did you want to work on decluttering the house? Start with a drawer instead of looking at the entire room. Clean out the fridge of the condiments you don’t use or that are expired. Do one quick skim of your closet and pull out 5 tops you don’t wear anymore. Clean off your nightstand and stage it.
Now that your goals are top of mind again and you have a few ideas on how to start small again.
Treat a new month as your new start. What is one thing today that you can do to move the needle forward on your goals for the year? And add it to your calendar for the end of each month to revisit your goals and track your progress.
This is my friendly reminder, that even if things aren’t as perfect as you would like them to be, it is ok! Hey, even Marie Kondo, the queen of clutter-free, admitted this week that she no longer stresses over a tidy house since she is a mom of 3!
Goals and resolutions are often more of a lifestyle change if you are hoping to go all in. And those big changes take time. So start small and stay motivated. I am this year.