New Year’s resolutions can be either a fresh start or a yearly obligation, and a local nurse practitioner reminds everyone to set their goals wisely.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Melynie Cagle said humans crave a new beginning, as the New Year offers an opportunity for that fresh start. Cagle said when setting goals, make sure to make each one realistic and measurable.
“I think that it’s important to focus on what you can change or what you can add, what you can do, rather than focusing on what you are not going to do or what you are not going to allow in the New Year,” Cagle said.
Cagle said many people tend to think negatively about themselves after not seeing the progress they expect. Cagle said this often comes from setting unattainable goals with harsh deadlines.
“I’m never going to eat any of these foods again, and the second donuts come into the office, or we don’t meet that specific goal, we say, well, we might as well give up, or I’m going to start again on Monday, or I’m going to start again next year,” Cagle said.
Cagle said resolutions can promote the idea that failing to meet specific goals instead of shooting for incremental progress. Cagle said it is important that people see the bits of progress. Cagle said individual lives can impact resolutions, as people often compare themselves to others.
“We want to have similar goals to them, or we look at what they have been able to accomplish, and that can positively and negatively impact our success, or our perceived success,” Cagle said.
Cagle said those who might not be used to too much structure might have a harder time keeping resolutions than those who are used to highly structured environments. Cagle said having reachable goals is a very healthy way for people to work for something positive in their lives.
“Kind of clarify our values when we look at what’s important to us and what we want to focus on,” Cagle said. “It can be a way to bring about structure and give each day intention, and be a way to bring positive changes to our lives.”