If New Year's Resolutions Aren't Your Thing, Try This

Welcome to 2020!  It’s a new year and it is a time many ponder how to make this year better than the last. Many people have a list of goals or resolutions they wish to achieve by the end of the year. Most of the time, people will try to focus on several different ideas instead of focusing on one goal or accomplishment, so by the end of January, they give up on the ideas. 

When it comes to living with chronic illness, setting and achieving goals can be difficult, overwhelming and ultimately discouraging when the goals are not attained. Those with chronic illness are often already feeling defeated by their afflictions, so not completing a goal can make them feel even worse.

Several years ago while surfing the internet, I came across the idea of choosing a word for the year instead of making a list of New Year’s resolutions. I thought the idea was excellent. This allows one to focus on a particular word which results in an action, instead of trying to meet several separate, possibly unrelated goals at one time. This concise approach makes reaching success more attainable and increases the likelihood of maintaining the new habits throughout the remainder of the year. This process can be further explored here. 

For 2019, my word for the year was “intention,” which was derived from a quote I saw on a mug while out shopping, “Live with intention.” That is what I needed! Do everything with intent, have a plan. This included various goals, such as taking medication more regularly, eating healthier and exercising more regularly. By applying that one word to all my actions, it increased the likelihood of improving all of those areas of my life. I was able to focus the first half of the year and I did lose weight and eat healthier. However, the second half of the year was difficult for me and I lost focus. So, although the word was not a complete success the whole year, I have made some changes to my lifestyle and am ready to move forward with the progress I did make in 2019.

I look forward to seeing 20/20 this year. Yes, my word for the year is “vision,” sharpening my focus on what I started last year.  I will keep in mind although things might not be perfect all the time, at least I am moving forward! 

So, what is your word for the year?