It’s February! How are those New Year’s Resolutions going?
Most people have a really hard time keeping them, so, 1) you’re human, 2) no one is actually keeping score, and 3) why not start over again?
Starting over again is actually a way to recognize our humanity. It’s a way to be kind to ourselves, just like we wouldn’t expect a young child to do something perfect the very first time around. In fact, here in the US, we pretty much give a child 12 years to learn things…
It’s also a way to succeed.
Successful people aren’t necessarily those with high self-esteem. They are people who have been able to develop self-compassion. Dr. Kristen Neff defines self-compassion as having three components:
- Self-kindness — being supportive of yourself; treating yourself as you would a family member or friend.
- Common humanity—an antidote for isolation; understanding that everyone makes mistakes and you’re not alone; recognizing that suffering is a universal experience.
- Mindfulness—observing your thoughts and emotions with nonjudgmental awareness; being present in the moment even when negative feelings arise.
So go on. If you haven’t lost those five pounds, start over! Take a fresh look at what you wanted to do this year – and go for it, not with aggression but with kindness.
