New Year, Same Depression
New Year’s resolutions while depressed … are they possible?
Every year when New Year’s rolls around, people put unrealistic expectations on themselves to complete as many New Year’s resolutions as possible. It becomes a competition of who can transform into their “ideal self” on Jan. 1. This pressure can be too much for people in general, but especially if you struggle with depression.
I know what my New Year’s resolution looked like when I was depressed: “Stop being depressed.” If only it was this easy. It would have been a great year if my depression disappeared when the ball dropped at midnight.
Unfortunately, life doesn’t work this way, but it’s still possible to attain some self-growth while still being depressed.
Make your New Year’s resolutions realistic. Making a huge list of expectations for yourself for the new year isn’t benefiting you. All it does is make you feel worse when you can’t meet the unrealistic goals you’ve made. Personally, when I make a goal that overwhelms me, it causes me to shut down. I’m unable to make any progress if I feel there is too much on my plate.
After you make your list of New Year’s resolutions, take a look at the intensity of it. If you have a list of 10 things, maybe narrow it down to three or four. Of the ones that you narrow it down to, try to make a couple of them related to mental health.
Make New Year’s resolutions that will improve your mental health.
A great New Year’s resolution when you’re depressed is to work on your positive coping skills. Having a solid set of positive coping skills to fall back on when your mental health isn’t doing well is important. When I am deep in my depression, it’s like tunnel vision with no way out. Using some of my positive coping skills allows some light to shine through, one moment at a time.
My goal for 2023 is to spend more time outside, especially walking outside. Going on walks is so beneficial. It gets you out of your house — gives you a change of scenery and some fresh air. If you can’t make yourself go on a walk every day, even just spending time sitting outside is beneficial.
You actually don’t have to make New Year’s resolutions.
I know it seems like everyone does it so you have to also, but you don’t. Don’t push yourself to make a resolutions list if you don’t feel like you’re capable right now with your mental health. If a New Year’s resolution list will only stress you out more, then don’t do it.
Society tells us we need to be in a constant state of self-improvement. It’s perfectly acceptable to be content with where you are in your life. It’s also perfectly OK to know that right now isn’t the best time to put pressure on yourself to change. Putting your health first is important! Do what is best for you. Let’s have a great year, or just a year.