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Resolutions: Good or Harmful?
The downside of New Year resolutions
Around New Year's time every year, I notice a dramatic increase in the number of people at the gym. I hear about people’s new resolutions to lose weight, take up a new hobby, break bad habits, or fulfill their bucket lists.
People think about the new year as a fresh start, yet weeks or months later, they give up on their goals. They may regain the weight they lost or stop going to the gym. Some may succeed in small ways, but the resolute often feel worse off than before.
It is good to set goals and work to achieve them. However, New Year's resolutions can be harmful.
Ways Resolutions Can Hurt Us
Unrealistic expectations
Many of us are expecting a quick fix to the issues we face. Unfortunately, problems are usually complex and take time to resolve. If our expectations are too high, we will feel disappointed and discouraged. We may even beat ourselves up for trying.
Setting too many goals
If we set too many goals, we will feel frustrated and overwhelmed. The stress can paralyze us and keep us from moving forward in life. We may question our abilities and feel guilty for failing.
