3 Reasons I Stopped Creating Annual Wellness Goals
New Year, New You! As soon as the clock strikes 12 AM, we often hear people sharing ways they’d like to improve in the new year. New year’s resolutions about health are one of the most popular resolutions people write each year! “I’d like to lose weight this year” or “I’d like to workout more,” are one’s we hear often! Accomplishing our goals often depends on the habits we create, and our consistency or discipline, but it also depends on how achievable our goals are in relation to our lifestyles. About two years ago, I stopped writing annual wellness goals. Here’s why!
I shifted to creating seasonal goals throughout the year. When I say seasonal, I do mean the four seasons of the year, winter, spring, summer, and fall, but also seasons of life. What I realized throughout my health and wellness journey is that my wellness habits were often impacted by the time of year or significant changes in my life such as relocating, a promotion at work, etc. Therefore, by creating seasonal goals, I made space for adjustments and also more SMART goals.
Seasonal goals have served to be more beneficial for me. For example, I understand in the winter, I am less likely to go out for a walk because it gets dark earlier and the sun rises later in the morning, which is closer to the time that I need to leave for work. Therefore, it is best that I don’t set a goal to go a 30 min walk everyday in the winter. I am more likely to achieve a goal such as an indoor workout because it is more relevant to my lifestyle and season of year. Here are 3 reasons I highly suggest creating seasonal wellness goals:
Season goals can be more SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound)
Seasonal goals provide space to make lifestyle adjustments instead of the pressure of sticking with the goals despite the current changes in your life
Seasonal goals allow us to check in with ourselves more throughout the year regarding the goals we set. It creates opportunities for reflection and motivation to finish the year well.
As you embark on a journey of health and wholeness this year, consider creating seasonal wellness goals. If you decide to do so, please comment below with some of your goals.