Rethinking Resolutions: A Self-Care Revolution
As the year draws to a close, it’s hard to ignore the societal pull to fix ourselves with New Year’s resolutions. Whether it’s a vow to lose weight, break a bad habit, or master a new skill, the New Year often feels like a blank slate to make sweeping changes. But have you ever wondered why we feel this compulsion to reinvent ourselves every January? More importantly, is this annual ritual actually helping us?
When I looked into the history of New Year’s resolutions, I discovered their roots stretch back to ancient Babylon, where people made promises to their gods to right their wrongs and uphold their morals. Over centuries, resolutions evolved through spiritual and societal movements, eventually becoming the self-improvement frenzy we know today. On the surface, the idea of starting fresh is appealing. But for many of us, the pressure to set and achieve lofty goals does more harm than good.
The Pitfalls of Resolutions
If you’ve ever made a resolution and felt overwhelmed, ashamed, or even defeated by February, you’re not alone. The societal obsession with self-improvement often feels like a treadmill—running hard but never quite getting anywhere. Instead of feeling empowered, resolutions can leave us stressed, burned out, and hyper-focused on what we perceive as our flaws.
In my own experience, resolutions rarely made me feel like I had control over my life. They either felt like obligations—things I “should” do—or desperate attempts to make things better. Worse, the cycle of setting a goal, failing to meet it, and then berating myself left me stuck in a loop of negativity.
A New Approach: Resolutions as Self-Care
What if we flipped the script? What if instead of using this time of year to “fix” ourselves, we used it to reflect, nurture, and care for ourselves?
Self-care often gets dismissed as a buzzword, reduced to indulgent spa days or the latest TikTok trend. But its origins are rooted in something far deeper. The term was introduced in the medical field in the 1950s to describe practices that helped patients, particularly the elderly and mentally ill, manage their health. Later, during the civil rights movement, self-care became a form of resistance for marginalized communities, a way to reclaim health and autonomy in systems that failed them. Today, self-care encompasses a wide range of practices, from physical and mental health to recreational and social well-being.
So, instead of resolving to lose weight or earn more money, what if we resolved to care for ourselves better? This could mean setting boundaries, prioritizing rest, or seeking out joy. It’s about asking: What does my body, mind, and spirit need to thrive?
My Journey to Radical Self-Care
Over the past few years, I’ve learned the hard way that self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. After years of unexplained medical issues, a hysterectomy, and countless doctor visits, I realized I needed to approach my health differently. I joined a gym that felt like a sanctuary, not a chore. I sought out medical professionals who truly listened and validated my experiences. I even embraced medications and treatments I once resisted, recognizing that caring for myself didn’t mean admitting failure—it meant honoring my needs.
These changes weren’t easy. I had to let go of the shame I felt for needing help and the guilt for spending time and money on myself. But the result was life-changing. I’m stronger, healthier, and more connected to myself than I’ve ever been. Most importantly, I’ve learned to be kinder to myself, to see self-care not as an indulgence but as an act of love.
Creating Your Own Self-Care Revolution
If you’re ready to rethink your resolutions, here’s how to start:
- Take Inventory: Reflect on the past year. What went well? What didn’t? What do you want more or less of in your life? Use a journal, a whiteboard, or even sticky notes to map it out.
- Find Your Joy: Identify activities, people, or moments that bring you genuine happiness. How can you incorporate more of these into your life?
- Seek Support: Whether it’s a friend, therapist, or medical professional, find someone who listens to you and respects your needs. Be persistent in seeking the right support.
- Silence the Noise: Tune out societal pressures and focus on what feels right for you. Your version of self-care doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.
- Resolve to Love: Instead of fixing yourself, resolve to love yourself. This means embracing who you are today while nurturing the person you’re becoming.
As we step into the new year, let’s ditch the shame and stress of traditional resolutions. Instead, let’s resolve to care for ourselves with the love, compassion, and intention we deserve. Because when we truly take care of ourselves, we’re not just surviving—we’re thriving.
Comment your thoughts below: What does self-care mean to you? Let’s start the conversation!
Cristie XOXO
