I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of filling my New Years Resolution lists with shoulds. This year HALO wants to encourage our clients, family and friends alike to focus on future accomplishments that give you energy, improve your confidence and self-esteem, are manageable and that improve your wellbeing.

My hopeful list of accomplishments in 2024 includes (but isn’t limited to):

• Learn a new art skill like macrame or a new pottery technique
• Start a new college micro-certificate program
• Have a fun getaway from the kids with my husband for a couple of nights
• Find new and practical ways to balance work, family and myself

For once, my list will not include going to the gym more, losing weight or being able to fit into an old favourite pair of jeans.

I believe that our New Years Resolutions need to take into account who we are and respect our abilities. I’m not set out to create goals that are meant to transform me into an entirely different person but to build on my strengths and add joy to my life.

For 2024, create some manageable resolutions that you know you can accomplish; and remember, there’s more to life than setting hoarding goals.

Here’s are some suggestions for how to set your resolutions for 2024, hoarder or not.

• #1 Focus On Joy:
  Consider a resolution or two that create opportunities to experience fun and joy. Dedicating part of your new years mindset to some sustainable happiness is great for our wellbeing. We all have challenges in our lives and these can coexist with joy.
• #2 Learn:
  Invest in your own uniqueness by dedicating time to learn and grow. Invest in yourself by giving yourself the time to learn more about topics you’re interested in. We are all capable of learning new things and that’s especially a great reminder during times when we feel stuck and unable to change.
• #3 Try Something New:
  What better year than 2024 to try something you’ve always wanted to do? When we try something new it helps us to break up the mundane and embrace our abilities, courage and adventurous spirit.
• #4 Create Peace:
  Allow your resolution(s) to leave space for dedicated time for calm, safety and peace. Sure, this can include de-cluttering, sorting, and organizing but also taking a breath, grabbing a book, taking some time for mindfulness and finding some peace within the environment you’re living in. We must curate some part of our day to maintain our own health and wellbeing.

How to Tackle Your New Years Resolutions 

At HALO, our best advice is to start small and to celebrate every step of the way. Rome was not conquered in a day and it isn’t realistic to think that you can accomplish all of your goals for 2024 in the first week of January.

Instead, set your sights on the year as a whole. Pick a resolution that is manageable and most quickly accomplish-able and start your year off with a quick win. Quick wins like this help sustain our motivations and raise our self-esteem in order to tackle and accomplish bigger and more challenging resolutions.

Also, if at any point, your mind becomes set on tackling any of your hoarded spaces, know that you are not alone and HALO is available and ready to support you through it. We are collaborative mental health professionals who will work alongside you in adding a safer, healthier living environment to your list of accomplished resolutions in 2024.