For many of us, the new year brings promises of new opportunities and goals. We take time to think about the year that’s passed and the potential of the one coming up. It can be pretty exciting! At the same time, the new year can remind us of the things we didn’t accomplish. It can remind us of the losses experienced over the year.
Sometimes we can get stuck thinking about what we’d like to change in the new year.
So often, the world tells us we need to focus on goals that others can see. For example, goals like eating healthier, working out more, or going on more vacations. During this new year’s resolution season, I encourage you to set goals for yourself focused on your internal state. Think about ways you can better your mental health in 2022. I’ll discuss some ideas here!
Practice Gratitude
As we enter a new year, it can be tempting to think about things we should add to or change about our lives. What if, instead of trying to add more, we are grateful for what we have already? In therapy, we often discuss gratitude as a way to battle anxiety and depression. Practicing gratitude is not a cure-all for mental illness. But, it can bring us some peace when the world seems big and scary.
Practicing gratitude does not mean we cannot acknowledge our hardships. Instead, gratitude suggests we point out the little things that offer support or joy amid hardship. As a therapist in Roswell, GA, I can attest to the impact of writing down the things we are grateful for. It can give us a tangible list to revisit when the weight of the world is upon us.
Start Small
I suggest beginning a gratitude list that first focuses on the smallest items. When we’re struggling mentally, it can be hard to think of the big things we’re grateful for. Look around you… Are you grateful for the space you live in? It may not be perfect, but you have a cozy blanket that keeps you warm. Or, you may have a cute pet in your home that sits with you in both the good and the bad feelings.
Starting with the small things we’re grateful for, like the heat in our homes, or the food in our fridge can help center us. We all encounter times in our lives where it feels like our world is crumbling. But taking a moment to slow down, focus, and think about what we do have, instead of what we don’t, can make a difference. I encourage you to practice gratitude in the new year to help yourself slow down.Setting Boundaries With Yourself
Another tip I want to share for the new year is setting boundaries. We discuss boundaries a lot at our Roswell, GA-based therapy practice. There are all kinds of boundaries, ones with yourself, with others, with work, and so on. In the new year, try focusing on the boundaries you can set with yourself. This can be a great way to begin boundary work.
What could boundaries with yourself look like?
You may struggle with spending too much time on social media. This can be a way that we distract ourselves from the life we are actually living. Many phones nowadays can set time limits on certain apps. Do you find yourself feeling bad about yourself after scrolling Instagram? Try setting a time limit on your phone’s settings. Only allow yourself to use Instagram for an allotted amount of time per day. Hold yourself accountable to this boundary. Remember, this is something to help you, not hurt you, even though it may be challenging at the moment.
Sometimes, we struggle to do the things for ourselves that we know make us feel good. For example, things like grocery shopping, laundry, or dishes. These tasks pile up before we know it! So, a boundary could be setting a designated time each week for those annoying tasks. Set aside a day or time slot to go to the grocery store or do laundry instead of when it’s convenient in the week. These things aren’t fun, but they need to get done. And if we take too long to complete them, we can mess up our whole schedule! This can help you stay on schedule the rest of the week instead of having things hanging over your head.
Gratitude and Boundaries for Your Mental Health
A great way to support your mental health on your own is to try gratitude and boundary practices on your own. Putting time and effort into your relationship with yourself can help boost confidence and trust in yourself. Imagine if you spent a few hours a week doing a gratitude journal and completing those pesky tasks for the week.This can be a big ask for parents and caretakers. But, how can you pour from an empty cup? If you need to care for others, think about who is taking care of you. Unfortunately, as a caregiver, this responsibility often falls on you. If you’d like to see changes in the new year, I encourage you to start small. Keeping a gratitude journal and installing boundaries with yourself can be the start of a major shift. If you’re looking to better your mental health in the new year, make small, attainable goals like these.
Begin Online Therapy in Atlanta, GA
You deserve to start the year off on a positive note. Our team has supported many clients in meeting the goals they set for themselves. Our caring therapists would be happy to support you from the comfort of home as well! We offer support from our Roswell, GA-based therapy practice. To start your therapy journey, please follow these simple steps:
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Meet with a caring therapist
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Start a hopeful new year!
Other Services Offered With Wellview Counseling
We offer a variety of services from our Roswell, GA-based practice. This includes anxiety treatment, depression counseling, trauma and PTSD treatment, chronic illness counseling, and therapy for postpartum anxiety and depression. Our team also offers child counseling and play therapy, individual counseling, teen counseling, young adult counseling, and family counseling. Learn more about our social groups for kids, and online therapy services today. Or, feel free to visit our blog for more helpful information!