Making a lasting new year resolution as a Catholic can be a meaningful way to begin the year off on a positive note and grow in your faith. Here are a few suggestions to help you make a resolution that will last:
Choose a resolution that is specific and achievable:
It’s important to choose a resolution that is specific, because this will help you know exactly what you are working towards. For example, instead of resolving to “read the Bible more,” try setting a goal to read a certain number of chapters each week. This gives you a specific target to aim for. It’s also important to choose a resolution that is achievable. If you set a goal that is too ambitious, you may become discouraged if you can’t achieve it.
Make a plan for how you will accomplish your resolution:
Once you have chosen a specific and achievable resolution, it’s important to make a plan for how you will accomplish it. For example, if your resolution is to pray more, you might decide to set aside a specific time each day for prayer, or to pray before meals or before going to bed. By having a plan in place, you are more likely to follow through with your resolution.
It can be helpful to have someone to hold you accountable when trying to accomplish a goal. Share your resolution with a friend or family member and ask them to support you in reaching your goal. They can help you stay motivated and on track.
Keep track of your progress:
It can be helpful to keep track of your progress as you work towards your resolution. This can help you stay motivated and see how far you have come. You might use a journal or calendar to track your progress, or you might ask a friend or family member to check in with you regularly to see how you are doing.
Don’t be too hard on yourself if you have setbacks:
It’s important to remember that you are only human, and it’s normal to have moments of weakness. If you have setbacks or struggle to keep up with your resolution, don’t be too hard on yourself. Just get back on track and keep working towards your goal. It’s important to be kind to yourself and to remember that progress is often slow and incremental. New year resolution simply means you will never stop trying to achieve your goals not that you can never make mistakes.
