How to Keep Your New Year's Resolution

Are you a person who sets a New Year’s resolution each year? Did you know that January 12th of every year is considered ‘Quitter’s Day’? Yes, you read that right. It’s the predicted day, when most individuals who set a New Year’s resolution, are destined to fail.

Setting a resolution that makes a dramatic change is challenging to sustain. As time goes on, the initial enthusiasm dwindles and individuals begin to think less and less about the resolution they set. The Yoga Loft is here to help you stick to your resolution whether it has to do with yoga or not!

First – Be sure your resolution includes something that you enjoy. For example, if you love practicing yoga, you can center your resolution around it. Perhaps you have decided that you want to challenge yourself by taking one Power Yoga class per month. Or, maybe, you have decided to challenge yourself by signing up for Yoga Teacher Training. Be sure that your resolution includes something you enjoy doing.

Next – Establish a new routine. Humans are creatures of habit. Perhaps resolutions fail by January 12th because most individuals do not make their resolution part of their new routine. Personally, I typically naturally wake up at least 15-30 minutes before my daughter. Most of that time is spent checking e-mails and social media from my phone…while lying in bed. In order to establish a new morning habit, I need to drag myself out of bed, every morning, 15-30 minutes before my daughter wakes up. I can use that extra time to read, journal, meditate, or enjoy a hot cup of coffee. What I do with that extra time will vary by the day, but my resolution is to not allow that time to mindlessly be taken up by emails or social media.

Lastly – Embrace the change. Here’s the thing – a resolution does not have to start on January 1, nor do you have to wait until the next January 1 to start another. You can set a resolution each time you step on your mat. Moreover, you can set a resolution for the afternoon, for the day, for the month, or for the year. Your resolution can evolve and change. Embrace the change, embrace the good and the bad. Perhaps you won’t stick to your resolution every single day but strive to stick to it most days. Allow yourself to change your resolution as needed.