New Year’s Resolutions with a Focus on Acceptance
As we head into the New Year, we’re often greeted with the familiar talk of resolutions. For many, this season can bring excitement, but it can also come with a sense of pressure (particularly when resolutions feel like a list of things we need to “improve” about ourselves). This year, I’m offering an alternative approach. Instead of focusing on reinvention, let’s consider embracing who we already are, grounding ourselves in acceptance as a foundation for true, meaningful growth.
1. Start with Reflection and Recognition
Before setting any new goals, take a moment to reflect on what you’ve already overcome. Life can move so quickly that we rarely pause to appreciate how far we’ve come. For first-generation individuals like myself, that journey is often shaped by the balance between honoring our roots and carving our own paths. Recognizing these achievements and strengths can remind us that growth is already happening, often in ways we don’t always see.
2. Set Intentions Instead of Resolutions
Resolutions can sometimes feel rigid, turning into obligations more than aspirations. Setting intentions allows us to reframe goals in ways that are more aligned with our well-being. Instead of “I need to do X more,” try something like, “I want to take time for what matters to me.” Shifting from specific, results-oriented goals to intentions rooted in self-respect and care can make it easier to stay consistent and connected to what truly feels meaningful.
3. Tune into Mind-Body Awareness
Our bodies carry much of what we’ve lived through, often reflecting stress, worry, and even past trauma. Practicing mind-body awareness helps us become more attuned to these responses, making it easier to recognize our own resilience. As a certified Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM) practitioner, I work with clients to develop this skill as a way of increasing awareness of our body’s responses to stress and learning to regulate our nervous system. Adding even a few minutes of grounding each day can help us reconnect with that inner balance.
4. Draw on Ancestral and Cultural Strengths
Our strength runs deeper than just the experiences we’ve lived; it’s often shaped by generations before us. As a practitioner of Chicana/o/x Affirming Therapy, I incorporate this perspective in my work, recognizing the importance of ancestral wisdom and cultural roots. Whether it’s a strong work ethic, community values, or shared family traditions, grounding ourselves in these sources of strength can give us a stable foundation as we navigate new goals. Consider honoring this by setting an intention such as, “I will draw strength from my roots as I move forward.”
5. Embrace Joy in Small Moments
In a world that can sometimes prioritize productivity over presence, it’s easy to forget that joy is also a form of self-care. This year, give yourself permission to enjoy life’s simple moments—whether that’s savoring a morning coffee, spending time in nature, or engaging in a favorite hobby. These small acts of enjoyment can be grounding and affirming, serving as reminders that we don’t need to do more to feel worthy.
Embracing Acceptance as a Pathway to Growth
This New Year, consider stepping back from the pressure to create a “new you.” Instead, embrace who you already are, recognizing that true growth often happens when we accept ourselves fully. In my work as a therapist, I see every day how transformative acceptance can be—how it allows us to make space for growth, free from the weight of unrealistic expectations.
Download a free worksheet to help you reflect on this year’s achievements, put the above tips into practice, and work towards acceptance.
Here’s to a New Year rooted in acceptance, reflection, and the quiet, steady power of simply being. May it bring peace, purpose, and meaningful connections along the way.
De aqui, y de allá,
Elsa