Even in the middle of a pandemic, many of us are planning to enter 2021 with new resolutions to quit smoking, or cut out alcohol and red meat from our diets. Perhaps you wish to start doing something more often; exercise, consume more leafy greens or read more frequently.
Some of these might even be the same broken records you have been playing in your head for years. That is perfectly okay. We are human, after all, and we are imperfect. But how do we stop ourselves from biting our nails, or continue to only drink water past mid-February?
The truth is that creating new habits, no matter how big or small, no matter how mentally tangible or clouded the new habit or habits may seem, is difficult and requires dedicated time and energy. New behaviors and tendencies are by no means born overnight. However, when those new practices become full-time habits, the rewards and goals for which you strive can have great health, physical, mental, and social benefits. So, how do you get started? Let us look at these three tips as well as some resources offered by the Aurora Public Library District (APLD) that will help set you up for success in the new year.
• Consolidate the dream: Many of us realize a change is necessary but are not able to pinpoint exactly what it is. Some of us feel overwhelmed by the number of changes we face, especially this year. Some of us can verbalize a definitive statement; “I want to help make the world a more just place!” No matter where you are in this process, it is important not to get ahead of yourself. The idea of exploring a new avenue of behavior is scary because it forces us to leave our comfort zone and abandon what we are familiar with. New behaviors are scary when they seem too big to tackle. “I want to help make the world a more just place, but how do I start?” Once you have your main goal defined, begin breaking it down into the smallest and easiest steps possible. You most likely are not going to uproot hundreds of years of systematic racism or end homelessness overnight, but when a goal is broken down into steps, say simply voicing your concern over the rising homeless population in your city, then the goal becomes much more tangible.
For example, the Aurora Public Library District (APLD) will be host to a virtual Zoom meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021 where former political staff member, Lily Rocha, will cover how to contact local, State, and Federal officials to voice concerns.
• Learn to commit: When we look back on our past mistakes, it can be easy to get bogged down in the disappointment of failure instead of seeing an opportunity for change which leads to success. “Why did I never finish that book I was reading?” The problem is that new habits are easy to begin, but slow to reward. Reminding ourselves of why we started the journey in the first place is an excellent place to start. Why did you quit smoking, start working out, or start reading more? Recalling the original catalyst whenever we hit a bump in the road can help us avoid similar potholes in the future. Setting up buffers, support systems and planning for the inevitable slip-ups can help correct and even avoid similar mistakes in the future.
For example, joining a book club is an excellent way to reinforce that new reading habit which you can do by joining APLD’s Virtual West Branch Book Discussions at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021 and Monday, Jan. 28, 2021.
• Just do it: I hope that term is not Nike trademarked. The overcast of mental and physical reminders of past mistakes are enough to stop some people dead in their tracks. Just do it. This is no doubt the toughest step in any action plan. Ask yourself “What do I have to lose?” A sleepless night, an awkward attempt to lift weights and looking up new words from a new book are all challenges to overcome that will make you resistant to urges in the future. There is no better way to resist urges than starting over on a clean slate. Cleaning out your fridge of unhealthy foods, removing ill-fitting clothes from your closet, and providing yourself a fresh, positively reinforcing environment is the best way to ensure that I can attitude. APLD can help you do that too with its virtual “Downsizing and Decluttering Without the Dumpster” presentation at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021 where environmental educators will teach you how to responsibly dispose of everything in your house from tech to chemicals and help you start your year fresh.
These events, and many more like them can be found by searching APLD’s events page online at www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/events. It is important to always remember our humanity and propensity to make mistakes, and not be too hard on ourselves for that natural fact. APLD is here for the community of Aurora to help build that positively reinforcing environment needed for success with its many services, resources, and events.
Andrew Muñoz is communications coordinator at the Aurora Public Library.