As we begin a new year, our thoughts may turn to how things have changed (or not) since last year.  Many people will speak of resolutions and intentions for the year ahead.  Others choose to stay the course without “New year, new me” aspirations.

Whichever path you choose, it’s helpful to recall that change is rarely linear.  For the most part, when a person states a desire to make a change, the journey is almost always one that includes stops, starts, setbacks, and restarts along the way.  This is not an indication of failure or poor will power but rather it is the natural way that humans modify our habits and actions.  It takes time and effort to adopt new patterns and to break free of old ones. 

There are many tools to aid you in achieving a desired outcome (e.g. counselling, self help books, journalling, SMART goals, accountability partners – to name a few).   Yet I want you to know that even with these tools, you likely will find yourself moving a few steps forward, then a few steps back again.  When that happens, I encourage you to approach the experience with kindness to yourself and an openness to this as the expected progression, not an error.   Be patient, revisit the reasons for making your changes, and know that starting again is part of the process and indicates you are well on the way.  It will take as long as it takes.