143. Not new year resolutions

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Hello darling heart, and welcome to this episode of the Drink Less, Live Better podcast.

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This is the podcast that helps you to see that drinking less doesn't need to be stressful, lonely, or boring.

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I'm your host, Sarah Williamson, and I decided to have a year alcohol free as a little life experiment and haven't looked back.

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I'm a best selling author, expert speaker, corporate workshop facilitator and life coach.

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I'm here to support you with your alcohol free or drink less adventures.

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To keep up to date, be sure to follow me on Instagram at drink less, live better, and head to the website drinklesslivebetter.com,

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where you will be able to sign up to the 5 day drinkless experiment, find blog posts and you can choose to join the email

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club where I share resources, wisdom, insights and glimmers of hope and joy.

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I hope you enjoyed this week's episode. Let's get straight to it. Not New Year resolutions.

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As the clock ticks down to the end of another year, many people find themselves contemplating the age old tradition of making New Year's resolutions.

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But I like to be awkward, not me.

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Many, many years ago, I decided to break free from the resolution making cycle and embrace a different approach.

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The biggest not New Year resolution I ever made was to put an extended pause on my drinking.

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Over 4 years later, that's still working out well.

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I had originally intended it to be a new year's resolution starting on the 1st January 2020, but in fact, during the autumn

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of 2019, I realized I was just stalling.

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I was making delaying tactics, and I began that not New Year's resolution on the 8th December 2019.

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So often, our resolutions come with a side serving of more. I'm going to run more.

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I'm going to go to the gym more.

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I'm going to meditate more or whatever else.

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My best ever not New Year resolution was about drinking less.

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So, yes, I think less might be my preferred way into lasting habit change.

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Resolutions often come with a feeling of pressure and expectation that can quickly turn the excitement of a fresh idea into a stressful endeavour.

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I think we could all opt for a more relaxed and spontaneous approach, embracing the idea that life itself is not a destination that we're trying to get to.

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Rather than setting rigid goals this year, I'm focusing on enjoying the processes and celebrating the small victories along my way.

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Another reason I steer clear of resolutions is the all or nothing mindset that often accompanies them, Setting goals and then

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feeling like a failure if they're not met perfectly can be really disheartening.

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So this year, again, I'm choosing flexibility over rigidity.

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By adopting a more forgiving attitude towards myself, I am setting the stage for another positive and uplifting year ahead.

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Let's not forget the cliche of abandoned resolutions by mid February. Who am I kidding? Mid January.

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It's like a rite of passage to start the year with grand plans, only to realize a few weeks later that life has a funny old

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way of throwing curveballs Instead of setting myself up for potential disappointment, I am focusing on creating really small

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but useful habits, small sustainable changes that gradually become a natural part of my routine, making them easier to maintain

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throughout the whole year ahead and further on than that.

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Resolutions often revolve around fixing a perceived flaw, which can inadvertently create a negative mindset about ourselves.

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Rather than focusing on what needs fixing, I'm going to celebrate what is already working out really, really well for me.

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I generally prefer the idea of having intentions or ambitions to work towards rather than resolutions or goals, and I know

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that I can be brilliant consistent when everything feels right.

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Testing, retesting, experimenting, and adjusting through the course of the year works really well for me.

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I have some major ambitions I'd love to enjoy this year.

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I've broken the steps down into what I think looks like a mag manageable process, and I am enjoying lining myself up for success in these areas. Watch out, New Year.

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It's all there for all of us to experience and enjoy. Thank you for listening in today. Come back again next week.

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I'd massively appreciate it if you could subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.

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Well, do that if you love it, obviously.

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If you don't love it, you wouldn't still be listening, so I think I'm safe.

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Asking for your support at this point.

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Check out the show notes for a link to a hidden podcast episode that will help you with your 5 PM cravings and details about

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my one to one life coaching and sober coaching programs. And PS, I believe in you.