New Year, Nude You

By: Jacquetta Szathmari

2021 Resolutions that reflect positivity, self-love, and self-knowledge

Take charge and make change a choice in 2021 with resolutions in tune with the times.

Our modern New Year’s resolutions evolved from the ancient tradition of promising to clear debts and return borrowed items to incur favor and good fortune for the coming year. Over the centuries these promises became focused on self-improvement: eat this not that, practice self-care, achieve more, etc. 2020 has upended the way we live, strengthening our desire to reflect on the past 12 months and resolve to make the coming one better.

Under the circumstances, it might be time to flip the resolution script. 

Here are three New Year’s resolution rituals to help you make 2021 a year for positive growth.

Lay it all bare. 

I’m being literal here; get naked in front of the mirror and like what you see.

Because we are conditioned to be our own harshest critics, it can be a scary proposition to look at the body that has gotten you through the past 12 months.

Put negative feelings aside and be kind to yourself. No need for bright lights. It’s not a medical exam or a fitness assessment-- diffused light from candles, colored bulbs, or string lights will do. Get yourself into a position that you find both comfortable and flattering and enjoy the view.

Learn to love everything you see in that mirror—body, and mind. Spend a little time each day enjoying and appreciating yourself in the buff. Skip the dressing gown, forget about towels, and embrace air drying. Declare nude Tuesdays! Believe me, 2021 will be a lot easier if you start from a place of self-acceptance, but developing an appreciation of yourself can take practice. So, strip down and let the self-love begin!

Make change your choice.

Still naked, softly lit, and basking in newfound self-appreciation? Great! You’ll need it because the world is changing at the speed of light; some of those changes are within your control but most aren’t. Focus New Year’s resolutions on things you can control and give them a fighting chance.

Start brainstorming the changes you’d like to see in 2021 and record your goals without censoring yourself. Review what you have written and eliminate the goals that are dependent on external affairs and moving targets. The global economy may not support your resolution to maximize your savings, hitting the gym might remain a dicey proposition, and social distancing might cramp your ability to try new people, places, and experiences. Swap out presently unrealistic goals for personal ones; instead of banking dollars bank time for learning a new job skill, start a home workout routine, or take an online language class to prep for future travels.

Whatever your goals are, make them personal.

Expect the expected.

Once you are happy with your list of resolutions brainstorm personal obstacles to your goals and create a pre-emptive strike plan. Do you self-sabotage? Are you easily derailed by setbacks? Do you struggle to keep momentum and lose interest? Do you doubt your ability to achieve your goals? Do you feel undeserving of success? Welcome to the club. You are not alone.

List all of the excuses, fears, and worries you have around your 2021 goals. Begin each sentence like so:

 “In 2021 I want to (fill in your goal) because (reason for the goal) but…”. 

Evaluate the “but” statements and identify those that present true obstacles to success then create realistic avoidance strategies. You will also need some mitigation strategies for obstacles that are unavoidable. 

No giving up on your goal this year! Plan in advance to nip those problems in the bud.  

The past year has been a formidable one during which we have all had to learn to live differently. Our New Year's resolutions should reflect that.

You made it through 2020 because of your resilience and adaptability. Bake these qualities into your personalized resolutions for this year to ensure success. Don't forget to evaluate your progress at regular intervals and build in rewards and celebrations to keep yourself motivated. If you are falling short of your goals, go back to your list of strategies or devise new ones.

When this is all over the world will need a happier, healthier you, so get that process started in 2021 with positive growth and resolve to evolve. 

You deserve it!

Jacquetta Szathmari is a New York based writer and the founder of Dernier Mile, a boutique consultancy providing last minute and last mile solutions for your content-intensive, logistically complex, and totally unique creative projects.