A Matter of Perspective: Powerful Ideas to Change Your 2022 Resolutions
The new year is the time when we shed the “old us,” set big goals and—more often than not—give ourselves a lot of pressure to level up in every aspect of our lives.
But the funny thing is, that pressure often comes from ourselves. Of course, it’s part of the culture we live in, but we don’t help by pushing ourselves to achieve more and more with each new calendar year.
So, this year, we’re asking the radical question: what if who you are is already enough? What if instead of “new year, new me,” you said “new year, time to accept myself as I am?”
Not quite as catchy, we know, but this way of thinking could just save your mental health in 2022. And how do you shake off the urge to be and do more? By changing your perspective on New Year with a little help from the Blinkist app.
Blinkist gathers powerful ideas from nonfiction books and podcasts and shares them as 15-minute explainers that can be read or listened to. The app has 5,000 titles across 27 categories like psychology, mindfulness and personal development.
– 5 Star Review
These bite-sized explainers are packed with helpful hacks, interesting insights and innovative ways of thinking from experts and thought leaders to help you reframe how you think about almost anything.
For example, here’s what you can learn on the app that’ll help you reject the New Year hustle culture, and enter 2022 with acceptance for who you already are.
Overcome Perfectionism & Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
The need to set big goals and make big changes can stem from perfectionism. Find powerful ideas in The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown, which explores changes you can make to build a more meaningful life. And one of these changes is the rejection of perfectionism.
The Gifts of Imperfection
- 22 min reading time
- audio version available
The book outlines the idea that perfectionism comes from the fear of being criticized or blamed. We strive to do everything 100% right, hoping that’ll buy us acceptance. But that’s not how it works. To fight this urge to do everything perfectly, we should stop comparing ourselves to others and start doing things for ourselves instead.
As an example, the book says that instead of deciding to get fit because of others’ opinions about your body, you should remind yourself that a healthy lifestyle will make you feel better. And even if you fail at getting fit altogether, that won’t change your worth as a human being.
Write Down Your Accomplishments
Instead of a list of goals or changes to make in the New Year, make a list of all your accomplishments instead. What did you do in 2021 that you’re proud of? This could range from the big achievements—got a promotion, ran a marathon—to the small ones—kept a houseplant alive… (or kind of).
The Happiness Track
- 16 min reading time
- audio version available
Emma Seppӓlӓ’s The Happiness Track says that gratitude is the secret to focusing on what we have, not what we lack. You can do this through making a list of achievements or things you’re grateful for every single day. This will not only help you become more self-compassionate, it’ll retrain your brain to focus on what you have and what you’ve done, not the stress of what you should be and do.
– The United Nations
Focus on One Goal and One Goal Only
Moving into 2022 with a new perspective doesn’t mean you have to forgo making New Year’s resolutions altogether. But to boost happiness, consider making just one.
Think Small by Owain Service and Rory Gallagher shares principles from behavioral science to help you achieve your goals. One method is to set better goals in the first place by focusing on just one at a time. This way, you can give your goal all your time and energy, instead of spreading yourself too thin.
Think Small
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
So instead of a list of 22 things to change in 2022, you could focus on one single thing that will make a big difference in your life. The goal should also be specific and have a deadline. For example, instead of simply “save more money,” your one goal could be “save $10,000 for a down payment on a house by September.”
A Book Explained in 15 Minutes
There’s so much knowledge out there in nonfiction books, but only so much time to read them. Blinkist shares the most valuable insights and powerful ideas from a book in bite-sized explainers, so you can access this knowledge and gain new perspectives fast.
Reframe the way you think about everything from nutrition to parenting, entrepreneurship to politics. The app’s library is always growing, too, as the team adds 40 new books to it every month.
— 5-star review.
You can listen to explainers while on the go, like when commuting, doing housework or working out, and join the 20 million users already expanding their minds with insights they’ve learned on the app.
Want to change your perspective for the New Year? Download Blinkist to get started.
