NOTES FOR THE NEW YEAR
Embracing Emotional Resolutions: Crafting Your Best Year Yet, One Feeling at a Time
A Message from Dr. Tina Koopersmith
As we stand at the threshold of a brand-new year, it’s that customary juncture where we contemplate our resolutions and aspirations for the days ahead. It’s a time for introspection, a time to ponder on what we wish to change or enhance in our lives.
But let me pose a different perspective—what if, this time around, we looked at resolutions through a different lens? What if, instead of fixating solely on accomplishments, we put our focus on something deeper—our emotions?
I’m Dr. Tina Koopersmith, a physician and coach devoted to assisting individuals in designing and crafting their best lives—one step, one connection, one feeling, and one thought at a time.
Traditionally, New Year’s resolutions often become discarded dreams by mid-January—”Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day” on January 17th humorously marks this trend. Yet, we all yearn for a life brimming with meaning, joy, and fulfillment. We aim to “do” better so we can “feel” better, but what if we’ve had it backward all along?
I, too, was brought up to set goals, to fervently chase after them, one after another. Accomplishments were my fuel, but amidst achieving these goals, I realized the true essence lay in the experiences and memories they generated. Memories persist, while material achievements fade—a revelation that redirected my focus towards emotions.
Life is not just about the end goal—it’s about cherishing every emotion, every sensation, and every fleeting moment. It’s about connecting with our feelings, listening to our inner compass when it whispers that something feels amiss.
So, rather than crafting a list of resolutions this year, I propose a different approach—an embrace of emotions. Let’s chart our year based on the emotions we desire to experience and the values we hold dear.
Take a moment to jot down five emotions that you crave—be it peace, joy, gratitude, or any other. These emotions will serve as our guiding stars through the year.
Next, consider the values that are paramount to you—authenticity, kindness, growth, or others close to your heart.
Now, let’s design our year around these emotions and values. Create a repertoire of activities and experiences that elicit these desired emotions. For instance, to foster calmness, embrace meditation or moments of stillness each day. To cultivate gratitude, practice acknowledging the good things before every meal.
Most importantly, let’s infuse these emotions into every facet of our lives, even in circumstances that might not naturally evoke them. If work isn’t your ideal space, seek gratitude in the camaraderie with colleagues or appreciate the opportunity it provides for personal pursuits outside of work.
Imagine a beautifully adorned paper listing your chosen emotions, values, and the activities that align with them—a personalized roadmap to guide you toward feeling the way you yearn to feel.
As we bid adieu to the ritual of resolutions, let’s welcome a new era of emotional resolutions. Let’s savor each day, embracing the spectrum of emotions, allowing them to shape our experiences, our choices, and our lives.
Wishing you a year filled with the richness of emotions, the depth of experiences, and the joy of living intentionally.
Warmly,
Dr. Tina Koopersmith
