After all the activity and busyness of the holiday season, it can be a challenge to look ahead to the new year and think about what goals you want to accomplish in the next twelve months.

I’ve always struggled with deciding what I want my goals for the new year to be, but I can usually come up with a few.

For years, I would write down my goals for the year in a little notebook.

I had that same notebook for probably 5 years before it got lost somewhere along the way (likely during a PCS), and once that happened I kind of got out of the habit of keeping track of New Year’s resolutions.

I always felt pressure to come up with a more ambitious goal than the year before, or to commit to too many things that I wanted to get done before the new year ended.

I’d often feel exhausted trying to figure out how I wanted to spend my year before it even started!

Something my therapist told me recently about New Year’s resolutions is that she prefers to think of them as “themes” for the year, instead of resolutions.

She explained that people tend to feel less pressure thinking about something as a theme, as opposed to a resolution (and I agree!).

So, in the spirit of New Year’s themes, here are two things that I am planning to prioritize in the new year and try to make ongoing themes.

I hope they will be helpful for other spouses as we transition into the new year!

The first theme I am going to focus on in 2025 is doing a better job of practicing self-care.

My husband and I’s move from Texas to New Mexico was tough on me, and I’ve been more in survival mode than self-care mode.

Self-care is so important, and I can really feel a decline in both my mental and physical health when I don’t make it a priority in my life.

That being said, there are so many ways to take care of yourself. For me, that includes yoga, doing embroidery, taking walks, and hanging out with my bunnies.

For others, it might involve reading a new book, visiting a new part of town after a PCS, or spending time with friends and loved ones.

The important thing is making time for yourself, and doing something that you enjoy, and that helps calm your mind.

Another part of self-care is practicing compassion for yourself, which can be difficult.

Something else I’ve learned from therapy is to speak to myself the way I would a good friend, so I will be practicing that too as part of my self-care theme! 

In the same vein as my first theme, my second theme of the new year is going to be taking time to rest!

Before we left Texas, I lost my job, and have spent so much time applying for jobs, ending up in roles that weren’t the right fit, and repeating the cycle!

It’s been an exhausting time and I know I need to give myself time to rest.

I also know how difficult this can be, when there’s so much to do all the time.

However, while it can seem counterintuitive, rest is productive! Without rest, it’s impossible to be fully present in other areas of your life, like with family, friends, or at work.

I hope the idea of a New Year’s Theme will be helpful for you all and will take some of the stress out of the new year!

I am wishing everyone a healthy and happy New Year and look forward to sharing more health and wellness information throughout 2025! 

*For more from Max Wellness, visit our Expert Blog page