Re-evaluating New Year's Resolutions to Stay Self-Harm-Free

Even though the New Year has barely begun, many people have already fallen short when it comes to resolutions. People often go into the New Year with bright expectations and when those expectations do not work out as hoped, people may give up. For those trying to handle both daily life and living with mental illness, giving up on New Year's resolutions is not the best decision when hoping to turn over a near leaf and stay free of self-harm/self-injury.

For those hoping to stop self-injurious behaviors in 2015, you must re-evaluate your choices and decisions on a weekly basis. It’s important to step back and take a look at what positive changes you made and what negatives choices you may have given in to. We all fall backwards every now and then and by recognizing those step backs, you can figure out what can be done so next time you fall forward – not back.

Self-Talk Sessions and Jotting Down Thoughts

Some people think that using the self-talk coping skill can make people seem a little crazy. In truth, talking out loud can be one of the most helpful ways to really see your choices with more clarity. Recently I was cleaning my bedroom and using self-talk, trying to organize my thoughts and plans for the day. Just by thinking out loud, I was able to get laundry done, dishes cleaned and some new Zumba routines started.

Being a writer, jotting down thoughts comes easily and by doing so, they become more concrete in my mind. Almost every therapist or counselor will tell you that writing helps organize your brain and even though it may sound cliché, it truly does help. When re-evaluating your resolutions, writing down a list or a couple paragraphs can help make those decisions more visual.

Process of Re-evaluating New Year's Resolutions and Moving Forward

So far, I have done okay when it comes to staying focused on my resolutions. My goals were to stop picking my arms, add more exercise to my schedule and find more time to write. Even though it is still the very beginning of the year, I know I need to continue to focus on those goals with as much force as I did when I had officially made them.

Successfully following through with a resolution or goal is practically a scientific process and it takes steps when hoping to move forward. I am not the most scientific person in the world, but I do know there are a few steps you can take re-evaluating your choices.

1. What were your initial resolutions? Write down or say aloud what positive changes you wanted to make. Make them detailed and specific to you and your life.
2. What positive changes were made? How did you go about making successful changes and how can you continue to follow through with them.
3. What setbacks were there? With every big change comes big commitment and sometimes it can be hard to stay as dedicated as hoped.
4. How will you positively move forward? Decide what parts of your resolution to take with you and what parts to replace with something that will help you become more successful.

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