New year’s resolution: new year positivity!

Recently, I noticed how the advertising of Christmas and New Years is designed to encourage consumerism and guilt.  This is not me saying I hate Christmas and New Years; for me, it is a time for faith, family and resting, so I do appreciate the holidays. However, the media portrays such a magical, perfect Christmas. A Christmas where the family is around a large table, laughing, opening presents and sharing lame Christmas cracker jokes. On the table, A massive turkey and all the trimmings, alongside lots of rich and delightful dessert. We are encouraged to indulge and eat until we are filled to the brim and then eat some more. No guilt. No guilt whatsoever, until New Years. Then, people are encouraged to get fit! To hit the gym, and shed the pounds piled up during Christmas. Therefore, it is no surprise that 45% of people attempt to lose weight as a New Year’s resolution.

In previous years, I have fallen for this trap and thus far, losing the weight that I have gained during Christmas has never worked smoothly. Therefore, this year, I have decided to set New Year’s resolutions that will encourage personal growth.

My new year’s resolution this year is to develop a positive mindset during 2019. I will try and do this by keeping a ‘three good things’ journal. This task involves spending roughly ten minutes a day to reflect on three positive aspects of the day. I first came across this positive psychology practice during February 2017. At the time, I hesitantly went to a Warwick Wellbeing service drop-in due to the aftermath of my 2017 new year’s resolution. I decided I need to l lose weight which, though successful, left me anemic, fatigued and unhappy. Due to my low mood, the mental health wellbeing advisor that I saw recommended that I tried the ‘three good things a day’ journal.

Initially, the task was immensely difficult. Due to my low mood, I easily overlooked all the positives interspersed into my day. Moreover, due to my lack of motivation, I was very inconsistent with keeping my list.

However, after a couple of months, it became a bit easier. I found myself noticing all the positivity and happiness surrounding me. The small things that I would have taken for granted – such as a warm smile from a friend or a compliment – started to catch my attention. However, around May 2017, I stopped consistently keeping my list. My mental health had worsened, so I abandoned most of my attempts to dig my way out of my hole.

However, I would like to take 2019 as a fresh start to form positive habits. Therefore, I am going to attempt to write down three things that make me happy every day during 2019.

 Attached is the link for positive psychology practices: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/#filters=featured

Alongside the three things a day list, there are other positive psychology practices.