What do you want to change about yourself in 2024?

Happy New Year! It’s that time of year for looking back and planning ahead, thinking how we might like things to be different in 2024. Every year hundreds of us make New Year’s resolutions. Do you?

New Year can be a great time to reflect on what went well last year, what didn’t go so well, what we want to do more of, less of, do differently or maybe even stop doing altogether! 

As a family, we love to do this over New Year’s Eve dinner and decide what our focus will be for the year ahead. I also spend a lot of time in the wellbeing clinic exploring these options with clients, but one thing is always true. If we are allowed to, we will stop. Yep, it’s a hard truth but it is true. How many times have you started something and then ground to a halt when the going gets tough? We all do it at one time or another. This is where accountability makes the difference. It really is the thing that stops us from sabotaging ourselves and quitting.

Human beings are hardwired to conserve energy and take the path of least resistance. It’s not laziness, flakiness, lack of focus or resilience, but a deep-seated, evolutionary need to conserve energy to preserve our genes. But we’re not really talking about preserving genes here are we? We’re talking about fitting in our jeans, getting to the gym, giving up smoking, eating less sugar, drinking less, going for a run, tackling the messy house, getting on top of finances, asking for support with your mental health, ending that difficult relationship. These things are difficult to do on your own. 

What helps you stay on track? What could be different about your resolutions this year? For many of us the consequences of not reaching our goals are actually very little. I mean, who cares if we don’t fit into those Levis? Who cares if we didn’t make it to spin class this morning at 6am? 

That can be where engaging with a ‘Resolution Buddy’ or working with an Accountability Coach really helps; that person to keep you going beyond the point you would stop if you were doing this on your own. It might be your partner who joins in your new healthy eating habits, minimising temptation, a friend who messages you to check you’ve got your trainers on to go out for a run/walk after work or joins you as you walk the kids to school instead of taking the car.

At Tip the Balance this is what we do. In support sessions we help you to plan your goals and accountability sessions help you stay on track beyond that point where you don’t want to carry on. In addition, our regular walking groups (Tip the Balance Wellbeing and/or Walk Mates -Winterbourne) help people to stay active, make new friends and get out when it’s dark, cold or wet. It all helps!

So, what resolutions have you set yourself for 2024?  Is there something you need help with?  Do you need a plan, help to learn some stuff or do you just need an army of people to help you keep going? Might this stop you sabotaging yourself this time? Who is going to be the champion in your corner to celebrate every little win?

Change is hard…but staying the same can be hard too.  We all need to know that someone cares. Look around you – these people you love, care for – your children, partner, parents, friends.

Keep going and if you need that army – shout! 

Becca

Our contact links can be found at www.linktr.ee/tipthebalance 

or call  07721 907780

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