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New Year’s Resolutions and

Our Mental Health

by Michelle Avola-Brown, Executive Director, Naples Pathways Coalition
re you planning to make any Write in a gratitude journal. Although I try to be mindful of my
resolutions for the New Year? blessings and thank God for them often, writing them down will
A How have you done in your previous give me tangible encouragement when I need it! I'm keeping my
attempts? If it makes you feel better, a journal on my nightstand and committing to writing down at least
relatively low percentage of people actually three things I'm thankful for each night before bed.
complete the resolutions they set out for at Develop a kinder inner dialogue. I frequently encourage
the start of the new year. However, being people around me, give genuine compliments
unable to achieve goals we set often, and look for things to
for ourselves successfully could set us up commend in those I
for a more profound mental impact care about, but I can
than we might imagine. Does this be terribly mean to
mean we should forgo any myself. I would never
self-improvement in 2024? say the harsh, critical
No, but we should go things I say to
about it differently and myself to anyone
remember it's not else. I'm doing
an all-or-nothing my best, and my
proposition. self-talk needs
We to reflect that.
often make Let go of
resolutions negativity.
that are more There are
external than so many
internal: lose fantastic
weight, save/ things in
make more my life –
money, stop my faith
smoking, is strong,
drink less, my family
travel more, is healthy, I
etc. What if we am blessed
adopt new habits with a job I'm
to bolster our mental passionate about,
and emotional well- I have the sweetest,
being instead? Improving one's mental health has been shown big lug of dog in the world, I get to live where many people only
to reduce anxiety, help us think more clearly, have greater inner vacation, I have a comfortable home and reliable vehicle, the list
peace, increase our self-esteem, and strengthen our relationships. goes on! But still, it's too easy to focus on the one thing that went
With a healthier perspective, we are also better equipped to wrong. I am working on acknowledging and course-correcting where
understand why we have developed negative habits and start needed, then quickly refocusing on the good.
more constructive ones. Genuine self-improvement isn't about setting a goal on New
Here's a list I'm working on to assist with my personal Year's Eve and declaring it a success or a failure a month later.
growth in the coming year and beyond. Some of these may Forcing outward change when some internal habits or hang-ups
resonate with you as well. must be addressed first will often lead to disappointment. But
Spend at least 10 minutes each day in prayer, meditation, becoming a little better each day throughout the year and starting
or quiet reflection. Silencing our minds and dismissing over when we stumble will help us grow into better versions of
distractions can be extremely challenging. However, it has been ourselves.
immensely rewarding when I have been consistent in this area. For me, 2024 is a year of breaking free from unhealthy habits
I'm setting a daily alarm on my phone to help me stay on track. in my thinking to develop a solid foundation for further personal
Do at least one tough thing every week. One of my hang- growth for the rest of my life. That is my hope for each of you as
ups is procrastinating on tasks I either am not confident in well.
or don't like to do. Rather than let the dread and anxiety build, For more information about Naples Pathways and our mission to
I'm going to work on tackling that big thing first. I'm already create a safe, bikeable and walkable Collier County where we can all
cringing, but I know how good I feel when the "thing" is done. share the roads without fear, please visit www.NaplesPathways.org.
Why would I want to put off that feeling of accomplishment? Being able to enjoy outdoor recreation and fitness is vital to our mental
health, and there are many ways to get involved with us. Contact me at
Michelle@NaplesPathways.org or 239.777.7718
I wish you many blessings in the New Year.

Life in Naples | January 2024 31