Instead of setting New Year’s Resolutions that require that I do more or be more, I’ve decided I’ll aim for less so I can make room for God. Let me explain.

It happens every year. About a week before the calendar rolls over and ushers in a new year, I start seeing posts about New Year Resolutions and offers for courses and strategies to “Make this the best year ever” for weight loss, organization, dreaming bigger, exercising more and weighing less. You get the idea.

As a psychologist, I understand how easy it is to get swept up in the momentum of the New Year resolution making. January first offers the hope of better things to come. Out with the old, and in with the new. And we know that by and large, if it is to be, it’s up to us.

Doing less to make room for God

The problem is, when real-life demands haven’t changed, and our mind hasn’t caught up to our heart in terms of desire and motivation, resolutions often fall flat, goals remain unachieved, and self-esteem flattened. For myself, when I set my sights on resolutions that require that I be more, do more, and try harder, then when I fall short, it sends the exact opposite message: that I am less than.

Rather than aiming for all those areas that require I do more to be more, I’ve decided to focus my attention on those things that I can do less of to make room for God: those habits, attitudes, and behaviors that hinder me from living the joyful life Christ came to give.

15 Habits, attitudes and behaviors that hinder joyful living

Here are some of the things I’m going to do less of in the new year:

  1. Negative Thinking
  2. Self-criticism
  3. Criticizing Others
  4. People Pleasing
  5. Procrastination
  6. Self-Doubt
  7. Overscheduling
  8. Fear of Failure
  9. Fear of Not Being Enough
  10. Fear of Success
  11. Distrusting God
  12. Toxic Relationships
  13. Guilt
  14. Shame
  15. Worry About the Future

 

Instead of setting New Year's Resolutions that require I do more or be more, I'm working on things to do less of in the New Year including 15 Habits, attitudes and behaviors that hinder joyful living. Click through to read more. #NewYear #goals

 

What happens when we make room for God?

In their place will be much more room for the truth about what God says about me, and his plans and purposes for my life, which he has declared good and filled with a future and hope! (Jer. 29:11)

Perhaps you’d like to join me. What will you do LESS of in the coming year?

Now that you know what to do less of, what do you do instead? What to do instead of New Year’s Resolutions or Getting back to what really matters.

(If you have a question you’d like Dr. B to answer, contact her here now. Your name and identity will be kept confidential.)

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Hope Prevails Book and Hope Prevails Bible Study offer hope for overcoming depression.

Available now through book retailers!

Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression and the new companion Hope Prevails Bible Study help the reader understand: how depression comes to be, recover their joy, reclaim their peace, and re-establish their true identity, while knowing their worth, remembering their secure destiny, and being confident that nothing separates them from God’s love.

 

January first offers the hope of better things to come. Out with the old, and in with the new. This year, instead of New Year’s Resolutions, I’ll make room for God by aiming for less of things that hinder the joyful life Christ came to give. #goals #NewYear

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