3 Best Ways To Keep New Year’s Resolutions

As the First of January approaches, you likely recite the resolutions you’ll conquer this year. Yet, sooner rather than later, you forget about them. 

So why do people set resolutions? Why not start as soon as you realize you need to change? Why make significant changes knowing well that even small changes are challenging to make? 

I understand there’s something special about starting over. And beginning a new year seems like the perfect time to do so. However, I would playfully suggest that in 2021 you examine what you are seeking. Allow yourself to say, “My God, may my desires align with your Holy Will.” 

Nevertheless, as someone who has partaken in the whole New Year’s Resolutions club and miserably failed to keep up within weeks, I want to share some ways to make it through 2021.  

Look Up To Your Best Friend

I thank the Lord for blessing me with a very grounded mom. She has always disagreed with making New Year’s resolutions. She does not see its point since most people cannot follow through with what they propose themselves. My mom is the kind of person who is intrinsically-motivated, so she does not need anyone else to tell her to do something to reach her goals. If she sets her mind on something, she works hard until she succeeds. 

That is admirable!! 

Seeing her dedication inspires me to persevere with my goals, big or small until I reach the end. There’s a concept in psychology called the mere exposure effect, which suggests that simply being often around someone or something will increase your preference for that person or thing. I say find yourself someone who is intrinsically motivated if you lack self-motivation!

Look Up Videos Or Guides

I was hesitant to write this post because New Years’ was crazy in my household, so I couldn’t write in time. Then I thought it would be too late to write afterward, given that it has been a couple of days since the year started. But I kept thinking about it, until long and behold What Laura Likes’ video showed up on my recommendations; so here I am writing on the Epiphany of The Lord (in some countries). Her video, Choose a VIRTUE for 2021! goes through the seven catholic virtues and the ten principal virtues of Mary. She invites us to choose a virtue we could improve on throughout the year. What a beautiful idea!

(In case you are curious, I choose Mary’s ardent charity. 😬)

Ask Mama Mary For Help (Or Your Favorite Saint)

After consecrating myself to the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe in December, my relationship with God has improved in ways I never imagined. Who would’ve thought, right? Well, I am indeed grateful to feel mother Mary by my side at all times. I know she looks after me and nudges me back towards Our Lord every time I mess up. For this, I am confident that I will grow in ardent charity this year, as will you.

I’ll biasedly say you should entrust yourself to the Virgin Mary to help you accomplish whatever resolution you set in 2021; Still, St. Joseph is also an excellent companion, especially this year!!! But really, all of the saints in Heaven are great.   

To Sum It Up

No matter what your New Year’s resolutions are this year, I pray we all aspire to reach sainthood every day of 2021 and forever. With God’s help, this will surely be possible. 

Here is a prayer I’ve been loving from EWTN.com, 

 “O my Most Loving and Gentle Jesus, I desire with all the affections of my heart, that all beings should praise Thee, honor Thee and glorify Thee eternally for that sacred wound wherewith Thy divine side was rent. I deposit, enclose, conceal in that wound and in that opening in Thy Heart, my heart and all my feelings, thoughts, desires, intentions, and all the faculties of my soul. I entreat Thee, by the Precious Blood and Water that flowed from Thy Most Loving Heart, to take entire possession of me, that Thou may guide me in all things. Consume me in the burning fire of thy holy Love, so that I may be so absorbed and transformed into Thee that I may no longer be but one with Thee.”