The Year of Intent: A Fresh Attitude and Approach
As we step into the new year, it’s essential to set the tone for the months ahead. Many of us have experienced situations where others have taken advantage of our kindness, failed to follow through on their commitments, or overstepped boundaries. This year, let’s prioritize self-respect and cultivate an environment where our needs are valued. By establishing clear boundaries and holding both ourselves and others accountable, we can navigate our relationships more intentionally, ensuring that our time and energy are invested in those who genuinely reciprocate our efforts.
It can be extremely tough when family members treat you differently. It's crucial to focus on yourself during these times. Some people don’t care about your feelings and may have bad intentions. It's okay to avoid them. These individuals often refuse to listen, change, or compromise when needed. To ensure a healthy life, it's best to keep them away.
Setting and maintaining boundaries can be challenging, but it’s very important for peace of mind. We know communication is vital, especially when setting boundaries, but it’s not the only essential piece. Perspective is fundamental in setting boundaries because it helps us understand our own needs and the impact of others' actions on our well-being. When someone consistently disregards those boundaries, it's essential to recognize that their lack of respect can be detrimental, making it healthier for us to distance ourselves from such negativity. Prioritizing our own mental health often means choosing relationships that honor our limits and values, while getting rid of relationships that negatively impact us.
Typically, no one wants to stop speaking to or seeing a family member. I love this person and do not want our relationship strained more than it already is. Most of the strain was caused by this person and couldn’t have really been prevented by me. Something that was seen as a misunderstanding from my side was treated as if I should have known better. Something that could have been replied to with, “We will figure it out” was approached with words that implied this person couldn’t make time for me within the next few months.
So, for my New Year’s resolution, I have listed things I will work on in 2025.
Maybe some apply to you, as well.
My New Year’s Resolutions
I will not…
…reach out to anyone who does not reach out to me.
…let people avoid responsibility when I set a boundary.
…give anything to people who have disrespected me.
…contact anyone from my past to reconnect.
…let anyone shower me with love if they have not given me the apology I am owed.
…explain myself more than necessary to anyone, unless they ask questions nicely.
…tell anyone I love them unless I know they value me.
…allow anyone to guilt me into doing something that doesn’t align with my values.
…prioritize anyone who consistently makes me feel like an option.
…forgive anyone who hasn’t shown genuine remorse and effort to change.
I will…
…only keep people in my life if they reach out and check in on me.
…speak up when I want someone to listen and not give input/advice.
…only give my time and energy to people that I know value me.
…make sure my boundaries are detailed and clear.
…save my energy during conversations/arguments that don’t seem to be going anywhere.
…invest in relationships that feel balanced and reciprocal.
…prioritize my well-being over the expectations of others.
…listen to my intuition when deciding who deserves my trust.
…focus on building connections with people who respect my growth and independence.
…allow myself to walk away from anyone or anything that disrupts my peace.
