01Jan

A New Type of Resolution—The Practical Side

I have said in past blogs that I do not believe in New Year’s resolutions. What I mean by that is that I am always trying to better myself, though I often fall short. My quest to grow personally does not just happen in the month of January each year. My journey of personal growth is a lifelong process of making resolutions, succeeding, failing and starting again. 

Having said that, I am all about personal growth—the emotional kind—and setting goals. So, since it is January, I want to combine my love of personal growth and goals in order to share with you a new kind of resolution. I guess you could call it an “emotional resolution.” 

There are two parts to creating a goal-oriented emotional resolution. First, decide what you want to work on (the emotional piece). Second, make sure that it is measurable (that is the goal part).  When it comes to emotional health, the possibilities for resolutions are virtually endless. You may want to carve out more personal time for self-care, or to spend more quality time with your significant other, or just to become a better communicator. Whatever changes you are wanting to make regarding your emotional health, I recommend starting with the one that is most pressing to you. 

Once you have decided what your emotional resolution will be, you can set a measurable goal. Here are some examples that you may be able to relate to:

  1. Emotional Resolution:  I want to take better emotional care of myself this year by participating in more self-care activities each week.
  2. Goal:  I will know that I am participating in more self-care activities each week by taking Yoga at least once a week, meeting a friend for a meal or coffee at least once a week and refraining from all work related activities on Sundays.
  3. Emotional Resolution:  I want to have more self-control when interacting with my children.
  4. Goal:  I will know I am more self-controlled with my children on days that I count to 10 before answering them when I feel angry and by not raising my voice/yelling when I feel frustrated.
  5. Emotional Resolution:  I want to be better at communicating with my partner this year.
  6. Goal:  I will know I am working hard at better communicating with my significant other when I start my sentences with the word “I” instead of “You” and when I repeat back to him/her each thing s/he says to me before going on in the conversation.

I hope these examples give you some ideas for your own emotional resolution.  Achieving your emotional resolution(s) will be much easier with the expertise of a licensed mental health counselor and/or trained marriage and family therapist.  In fact, I believe all emotional resolutions are more attainable with the support of a seasoned psychotherapist.   So why not try meeting with one as part of your “New Year’s emotional resolution?”

If you are struggling with depression, anxiety, emotional angst over the coming New Year or any other emotional issue, a trained Orlando-area psychotherapist can help. She can provide the support and skills you need to address your emotional needs and experience a new level of personal growth and peace this New Year. Please contact Life Enhancement Counseling Services today at 407-443-8862 to schedule an appointment.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Yolanda Brailey