08. Hashtag goals
As we ring in the new year, it is natural to want to reinvent your lifestyle and start a long list of resolutions. New Year’s Resolutions differ for everyone, from health-orientated objectives like joining a gym or eating healthier to improving interpersonal relationships such as working on a friendship or cutting one off. All resolutions are valid, but in my experience, I always make the list too long, too vague, and possibly too unrealistic.
It wasn’t until my cousin (an absolute top-tier human) asked me at Christmas, “What are your goals for 2024?” that I realised that is the perfect way to phrase it. To ponder our “goals” rather than ask about a resolution was a simple way to reframe it. Resolutions insinuate a problem, something wrong in the first place. However, being asked about my goals immediately made me feel lighter when thinking about what I want to achieve in 2024. Resolutions are statements about expectations, defined as “a firm decision to do or not to do something.”. Goals are more fluid and guiding, defined as “the object of a person's ambition or effort; an aim or desired result”. I think it’s the simplest way to look at the new year.
We can still have the ambitions we have written in the past years, but seeing it through the lens of a “goal” means it is something to reach for, not something we must do to tick the box. I think back to learning about SMART goals. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely, and as “self-helpy” as it sounds, writing my little goals and big dreams like this has made them feel less daunting and more achievable.
As a visual person, I think about the word “goal” and picture the posts on a football field or the ring at the netball court. As a player, you can see exactly where you are trying to get the ball, at all times. The goals are always in view, they aren’t far away, and you are in the game. You can tangibly reach for them, throw the ball to the players that are closer to the goal, and shoot the ball into the ring. You don’t always get it but you always have a chance to. The players in the centre court are there to get the ball to you so you have the chance to shoot, they are your support system in real life. At the end of the day you control who is on your team and what goals you want to achieve. Although it’s the start of a new year, start your goals when you’re ready. Trust your gut feelings and the rest will follow.
