Self-Compassionate Goals
Hi there,
Welcome to 2024 my friend :) I hope the first week of the new year was good to you. I am wishing you all the best luck in striking a balance between embracing all the new hope and energy that come from the new year and also the realization that you can move slowly, nothing needs to change, and you are right where you need to be. I personally love the feeling of setting new goals and looking forward to the new year. I have also seen a lot of online creators talking about changing to setting new year resolutions and goals in the Spring as this aligns more with the natural world’s rebirth. They suggest soaking up cozy feelings, honoring the slower pace of the season, and embracing the hibernation of winter. I love this idea and I think it is a great option to push back against all the talk of “new year new you” and the hustle culture of setting strict rules and goals. I have been striking a compromise by practicing 5-15 minutes of yoga in the mornings before I leave for work. My original idea for this goal was to start going to weekly classes, then it evolved to taking a full 1 hr. class online every morning, and has now settled into this scaled back routine. I have been really liking it and I am excited to see where it evolves to. The flexibility that comes from having goals centered in compassion around your needs feels so different from those that feel externally motivated by shame and judgment. If you are setting some new routines or goals for yourself I really encourage taking the time to reflect on the why’s and how’s of the goal.
Here are some questions to ask yourself 👇
✨ Goal Reflection✨
How does this goal support my needs? I can count so many past goals that were set because I felt like I needed to be a different person and correct who I was through discipline and tough love. I heard a wonderful quote from an online poet who said “if you are the exact same at the end of 2024 as you are right now that is still something to celebrate”. I am paraphrasing here but I love the general message of acceptance and kindness toward ourselves it evokes. How can your goals support who you are right now without discounting all that you are right now?
Who can be there for me? Community, friendship, and camaraderie can be key in making change and achieving new goals. Who do you have that is in your corner? What community (online or in person) can you join?
What flexibility can I build into my goals? Plans born from rigidity often break when placed under different stressors. There is so much research showing the benefit of having a self-compassionate response when we feel like we have failed or messed up. Where in your plan can you create more flexibility? How will you respond when you don’t reach your goal, make a miss-step or fail? A reminder- you are not a robot and you will need to plan for all the ups and downs of life. I really have connected to my goals best when I talk to myself with a self-compassionate voice and not from self-criticism. (Think how you would talk to a friend or loved one and try to talk that way towards yourself)
Can this be scaled back or slowed down? Similarly to what I was talking about at the beginning, you might want to start slow or scale back your goal. This not only aligns with the slow steady pace of the winter season but also leaves room for learning and the creation of routines without all the pressure. Removing as many barriers between you and starting as you can. Then start small.
Where can I celebrate? Celebrating small wins is so important and not something we do very often. Most of us wait until the project is fully over or the goal has been 100% met before taking the time to celebrate. When researching New Year’s resolutions most people have stopped working on their goals by March. This I know contributes to feelings of shame and sadness for not finishing or sticking to the goal however, 3 months of working on your goal is such a huge thing to celebrate! I also think it is great to reflect on all the wonderful things you are doing now to support yourself already and celebrate those accomplishments too.
I really hope you can use compassion and mindfulness to create your goals this year and use these self-reflection questions. Embrace imperfectly walking towards your goals and saying no to things that don’t feel right for you and your body. I wish you the best of luck and all the encouragement from me to you my friend. 🧡
Welcoming in 2024
A little picture of my morning yoga from this week.
Studio & Class News for the Month
Here’s what we have going on at the studio this month for you to stop in and enjoy.
New Year New Moon Yoga & Sound Bath Event: Jan. 13th, 10:30 am-1:30 pm
This is a nice half-day self-care mini-retreat held at the studio in Idaho Falls. We will do some slow-flow yoga, journaling for the new year, a mindfulness walk outdoors, and a restorative sound bath to end the event. This is a donation-based event. You can sign up here or here. Or respond to this email and let me know you are coming.
Fat Yoga Friends Class: Jan. 20th, 9:30-10:30 am
The Fat Yoga Friends classes last year were so lovely and I can’t wait to teach more this year. I have added them to the schedule to occur every 4 weeks instead of the 1st Saturday of every month. So keep your eyes peeled for this special monthly class.
More to Explore?
If you want to keep thinking about your new year’s goals and/or want to hear more about mine you can go listen to Ep. 24 of my podcast- Reflections and Resolutions for 2024: How to create goals you will actually accomplish
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