Building Resilience for the New Year
December 31, 2024
With the start of 2025 here, many people begin to reflect on the previous year and set goals for the upcoming one to improve themselves, their health, and their relationships. Many find that their initial enthusiasm begins to wane over the first few months. With this, many struggle to maintain their resolutions and continue to work toward their goals. Counseling can play a vital role in helping you stay on track and achieve your goals for 2025. Below are six ways counselling can support you in new goals.
1. Understanding your Resolutions
Counselling provides a safe space to explore your New Year’s resolutions more deeply to understand and connect with why you are setting these goals. Sometimes we set goals based on societal pressures or fleeting desires rather than personal values and aspirations but a counsellor can help you clarify what truly matters to you, ensuring that your resolutions align with your core values.
2. Overcoming Barriers
One of the most significant reasons resolutions fail is the presence of internal barriers—such as fear of change, self-doubt, or past failures. Counselling can assist you in identifying these obstacles, negative thought patterns, and other challenges that may be hindering your progress. By addressing these issues and problem-solving with the support of your counsellor, you can develop healthier coping strategies and a more positive mindset, which are essential for sustaining your resolutions.
3. Setting Realistic Goals and Milestones
In the excitement of the New Year, it’s easy to set overly ambitious goals. Counselling can provide valuable guidance in setting realistic and achievable objectives. A counsellor can help you break down your larger goals into smaller, manageable steps, making the process less overwhelming and increasing your likelihood of success. This approach not only makes it easier to track progress but also fosters a sense of accomplishment as you achieve each smaller milestone.
4. Developing Accountability
Accountability is a key factor in achieving resolutions. Regular counseling sessions can offer a structured way to hold yourself accountable. Knowing that you’ll be discussing your progress with a counsellor can motivate you to stay committed. Additionally, counsellors can help you establish an accountability system that works for you outside of the therapy office, whether it involves check-ins with friends or journaling your progress.
5. Cultivating Resilience
Setbacks and relapses in habits are a natural part of any journey, especially when working towards significant changes. Counselling can equip you with the resilience needed to navigate these challenges and reframe setbacks as learning opportunities rather than failures. This shift in perspective is crucial for maintaining motivation and continuing to pursue your goals despite obstacles.
6. Enhancing Self-Compassion
Often, we can be our harshest critics when we fall short of our resolutions. Counseling encourages self-compassion, reminding you that progress is not always linear. A therapist can guide you in cultivating a kinder internal dialogue, allowing you to treat yourself with the same compassion you would offer a friend. This shift can significantly reduce anxiety and frustration, making it easier to stay focused on your goals.
Supports for the New Year
As you prepare for the New Year, consider how counseling can support your resolutions. By providing clarity, overcoming barriers, setting realistic goals, fostering accountability, cultivating resilience, and enhancing self-compassion, counseling can be a powerful ally in your journey of personal growth and achieving your resolutions.
OK Clinical Therapy Group has many wonderful counselors who are accessible online, in person at our various 8 locations across BC, and at flexible times including evenings and weekends. Any of our counselors would be happy to support you with your New Year’s resolutions. You can read more about some of them here, or feel free to text or call 250-718-9291, and we’ll get you connected with the best counsellor to fit your needs. You can also email us at info@okclinical.com.
For specialized services, our team is ready to help you explore ur various counselling programs. You can also check out our General Counseling Services, learn about the Types of Therapy we offer, or visit our booking page here.
Written by: Senja Lieuwen, Practicum Student
