There is something special about a New Year. It’s a clean slate. A fresh start. Something those of us living with chronic illness can truly appreciate. But it is also something many people struggle with, myself included. Everyone is setting intentions and resolutions for the New Year ahead. But setting goals when our lives feel like a medicated roller coaster ride, can be overwhelming and feel pointless at times. But every year, here I am, doing it anyway. Why? Because why not!
There are so many ways to choose resolutions for the upcoming year and none of them are wrong. It’s all about finding what works best for you. Here are some tips I’ve learned while living with Budd Chiari Syndrome on how to set New Year’s resolutions with a chronic illness…
Be Realistic
When it comes to resolutions I used to be a “think big” kind of person. But over the years I have learned something. The trick to sticking to resolutions is making sure they are attainable. I was that girl that every year said I was going to lose so many pounds, knowing full well that the medication I was taking caused weight gain. I would resolve to be in bed every night before 10 pm when I know I have insomnia and children.
This year, instead of making it about how much weight I can lose, I have decided to focus on becoming stronger and more active. Instead of putting a certain time frame to go to sleep, I resolve to create a better bedtime routine. They both have the same outcome, but with a little wiggle room which makes them more realistic. This little buffer is especially appreciated by people with chronic illness because we all know life can change in a minute’s time. And when we can bend with all the twists and turns life puts in our path, it’s less likely we will break and give up on our resolutions.