Looking to start off 2024 on the right foot with a resolution?
Want it to last longer than 6 weeks?
I’ve got 6 facets to consider for a resolution that lasts throughout the year.
I was never a resolution person until I had kids. I was pretty happy with my self-discipline and I didn’t feel like I needed a reason for betterment. If I wanted to make a change, I just made it, regardless of what the calendar read.
When kids arrived, all hell broke loose and Sara dropped in priority. Now I need the kick in the pants of the new year to remind myself to focus on me and get the train back on its track.
But if I’m going to actually make a resolution last, I can’t put too much pressure on myself or make it too big of a change. I have a 4-year-old and a 1-year-old and a full-time job, so I still don’t have a ton of time to spend on myself.
In 2023, I wanted to read more, specifically more non-fiction. I knew that picking up physical books and reading with my eyes wouldn’t result in me getting significantly more read. That sort of reading just doesn’t fit in my lifestyle at the moment, even though I desperately wish it did. So I turned to audiobooks. I didn’t quantify what “more” meant, but by all accounts, I succeeded. I listened to 70 audiobooks (working on #71) and conventionally read 12 books (working on #13)!
My 2023 resolution was super successful, so I reflected on what made it work so I can hopefully have another resolution that lasts in 2024. I came up with 6 things to prioritize when you’re trying to decide on a resolution that lasts in 2024.
1. Make it attainable
Pick something very specific. If you have an idea that can be incredibly broad, pick one facet of that idea and focus on that.
In my 2023 example, I wanted to read more, but that could be huge. So I focused on non-fiction audiobooks. Because I made my resolution pretty specific and attainable, I felt confident adding on to it and including conventional fiction books.
2. Make it fit in your current life
Although it’s very tempting to look at a new year’s resolution as an opportunity to overhaul your life, it doesn’t usually work out that way. Instead, focus on incremental changes that will actually fit into your life as it is now. Incremental changes are way more likely to last the whole year and beyond that major transformations.
For my reading resolution in 2023, I knew that I couldn’t read many more conventional books than I was already reading. That lead me to focus on audiobooks because I knew I had many more opportunities to listen to audiobooks. I listen while I’m folding laundry, unloading the dishwasher, cooking dinner, etc. It has fit into my life so well that it has now become a habit and I see myself continuing the momentum for many years to come.
3. Make it flexible
Rigid resolutions are not your friend. Don’t set yourself a year-long goal that includes specific targets. You’re just setting yourself up for failure. Instead, pick something more flexible that just builds on a good habit or set week-to-week goals.
I chose to go with the vague goal of reading more for 2023. This goal didn’t put too much pressure on me to hit a specific number of books or read for a certain amount of time. Leaving it open-ended worked really well for me.
4. Make it positive
It is so tempting to focus on things you want to cut out of your life. Going negative has not lead to positive changes in my life, though. So whatever you choose for your resolution in 2024, put a positive spin on it. Want to lose weight? Don’t set your resolution as losing 20 pounds. Instead, resolve to walk more or eat more vegetables. Make it a positive change so you’re adding to your life instead of subtracting.
Reading more in 2023 has been a huge addition to my life. I’ve gained a ton of knowledge, done a whole lot of introspection, and made monotonous household tasks more enjoyable. What a positive impact that resolution has had on my life!
5. Make it a family affair
Don’t feel like you have to go it alone. Even if what you choose for your 2024 resolution is personal, get those close to you involved. Have regular check-ins about your progress, sign them up for Weight Watchers too, or go on family walks. It’s so much easier to accomplish your goals if you feel like you’re making changes that will better the lives of your family and friends too.
I’ll admit, it’s hard to read with someone else, especially when I’m usually reading as I fold the laundry. Instead of sharing my reading adventures with someone, I encouraged my husband to also download the Libby app and go on his own audiobook adventure. We’ve even read a few of the same books and have been able to talk about them once we have both finished listening to them.
6. Make it an opportunity to give yourself grace
No one is perfect, not even you. It’s important to remember that we don’t have it all together all the time. To err is human. When you do fail or have a temporary backslide in your resolution (which you will), remember that tomorrow is another day that provides another opportunity to try again. Give yourself grace. If you’re too hard on yourself, you will just quit. So support yourself like you would support your loved one who is trying to reach his or her goals.
My 2023 resolution got off to a rough start. I downloaded the Libby app and searched for a few titles I had been wanting to read and all of them had weeks-long waiting lists. I got discouraged and ended up only listening to two books in January. But then I took a chance on a book that was available to rent that I didn’t have on my list and loved it. After that experience, I significantly expanded the books I was willing to listen to and picked up some major momentum that has lasted the rest of the year. I could have easily given up in January, but I’m so glad I gave myself grace and tried again in February!
Happy New Year, everyone! Good luck with making resolutions that last in 2024. If you need some support, head on over to my Instagram @sarainseason. We can all support each other over there.