I have said it before and I will say it again—I don’t believe in “New Year’s Resolutions.” I do believe in dreaming, planning, trying new things and working hard to form new habits. I believe in lifestyle changes that emerge from thinking critically about the kind of life you want to have and mindfulness that results in awareness leading to long-lasting life-style changes.

As a New Year begins it is natural to think about a fresh start and dream about what you would like to try or accomplish in the New Year. It can be helpful to think about “trying” something new versus “accomplishing.” Thinking about your new goals this way makes them less burdensome and reframes them positively as “experiments” versus “tasks that have to be done.”

As January is upon us, what are you wanting for the upcoming year? In order to make good choices it is important to try and imagine the kind of life you want to have if you could wave a magic wand and have any type of life you want. Is there something you currently have and just want more of? Is there something you want to stop doing and exchange with a new and more positive habit? Or, is there something brand new you want to “add” to your life?

I think many of us are naturally wired to be our own worst critics and think first of what we should stop doing, instead of thinking of something we want to add. But isn’t it fun to dream about something totally new? I am not saying you cannot decide to extinguish an old behavior or mindset, but I am suggesting you can also add something to your life that was not there before. Something to make it different, better.

Some things that you can add may include, spending more time with friends, trying a different kind of workout, or learning to cook a new food. Last year a friend of mine decided to cook at least one new dish every week—resulting in 52 new dishes tried for a year. Or maybe you need to add improving your mental health to your New Year’s list. This may involve seeing a therapist weekly, reading books your therapist recommends, journaling, exercising or even joining a support group.

No matter what you choose to add, physical and mental health should always be at the top of your list. The saying is so cliché, but if you don’t have your health you really don’t have much. So, find some time to sit and quietly reflect on your current mental health. Are you suffering from anxiety or depression, are you having trouble communicating effectively with those around you, do you have a history of trauma? Whatever mental health issue you are facing, a licensed Orlando psychotherapist can help you have a better life in 2018. Please call Life Enhancement Counseling Services today at 407-443-8862 to make an appointment and “add health” to your life in the New Year.