Why New Year’s resolutions fail (and what you can do about it)

The New Year is upon us and with it comes the dawn of possibilities. But the truth is the majority of New Year’s resolutions end up in file 13 before January is out.

Why is this?

Emotional baggage

In order to embark on a new lifestyle or part thereof, one needs to set free the current, disempowering one. Think: ‘Out with the old, in with the new’.

Imagine you have an argument at home with a family member. When you arrive at work you can either: a) leave the issue at the door or, b) carry it with you all day allowing it to affect your productivity level.

Likewise, it will benefit you to leave your 2017 baggage behind, instead of dragging it into 2018 and beyond.

However, this is often easier said than done.

How to release unwanted baggage

Here are a few simple techniques which can assist you to let go of old patterns or beliefs.

1. Think of a value which means a lot to you – integrity, honesty, kindness etc. Every time you notice yourself going down a destructive path, take a deep breath and repeat your value word to yourself for 30 seconds. Ask yourself, ‘How can I engage my value in this situation?’ and then do it.
2. Breathe deeply for 30 seconds while saying, ‘I breathe in kindness’ (or whatever your value is), ‘I breathe out anger’ (or whatever you need to release).
3. Visualise yourself packing up your issue in a big suitcase. Fill it with the baggage that no longer serves you. Close the suitcase and see it be taken into the middle of the ocean where an anchor is attached to it and draws it down into the depths of the sea, never to be seen again. Repeat daily for seven days.

Help, I need something more

What if your issue is so big it can’t fill a suitcase or it’s so deep you can’t even find all of it?

In this instance, the help of a professional may be necessary. Just as the dentist removes plaque from your mouth, so your therapist can guide you to release toxic build-up on a physical, mental or emotional level. As with plaque, the longer you leave toxic build-up, the more damage it does. Once you are free from waste, you will wonder why you didn’t clean house sooner.

An Emotional-Mental Clearing workshop is taking place 9 December 2017 from 9am to 5pm in Durbanville, Cape Town. Helen Hansen, a kinesiologist and energy psychology practitioner, will teach you perspective balancing skills founded in scientific research along with specific neuro-emotional trigger points on the body which flush out stored trauma or stress. You can find out more at: //helenhansen.co.za/event/emotional-clearing-workshop/

Sources: drdemartini.com, www.sideroad.com and helenhansen.co.za