Last week a friend invited me to do a January detox with her. I was really tempted as there are many benefits to cleansing, especially after the indulgence of Christmas. However, the list of all the things I had to stop, cut out, avoid and give up was soul destroying.
As someone who doesn’t believe goals are just for annual resolutions it has got me thinking more about the language we use, not just in new year rituals, but every single day and what effect it can have on how successful we are.
One of my resolutions for next year is to reduce how much refined sugar I eat. I say reduce because I’m a big believer in everything in moderation and I also really don’t want to become a clean eating bore.
Last Thursday evening my husband was out on yet another Christmas party and my dinner consisted solely of Strawberry Dreams, Golden Barrels and the last Country Fudge from a seasonal chocolate box. They were delicious but held very little nutritional value and my self-loathing the next day went up a level.
So I don’t have to do much to make some headway with this resolution but for 2018 instead of the usual
‘My body is a temple and I will never eat chocolate or sweets or biscuits or cake ever again. Ever.’
my resolution will be more along the lines of
‘During the week I will replace chocolate and sweets with fresh fruit and other delicious naturally sweet stuff so that at the weekend I can enjoy whatever treats I am offered or just fancy.’
How does that sound to you? Sounds great to me. More appealing, realistic, less prohibitive and breakable.
The chances are I will lose my (currently very) sweet tooth but I will have pudding after Sunday lunch thank you very much and I might just help my two year old finish a packet of party bag buttons but I will savour and enjoy them for what they are. Sweet treats.
So this January how about giving up on giving up? Instead reframe, check your language, write it down and then see what happens.
For everything you want to give up, what is it you actually want to gain?
For anything you don’t want, what is it that you do want instead?
Merry Christmas and happy resolution setting!
