As we prepare to welcome 2025, it’s a perfect moment to pause and envision the year ahead. Instead of setting traditional resolutions—often forgotten by February—let’s focus on how we want to feel throughout the year. For those managing ADHD, this approach of prioritizing emotions over rigid goals can foster intentional living that’s both fulfilling and sustainable.
December 2024, Rebecca Branham, ADHD Coach @ Agave Health
Focusing on Feelings, Not Just Goals
Setting goals is important, but understanding how we want to feel while achieving these goals can transform our approach and ensure we stay aligned with what truly matters to us. This method acknowledges our emotional needs and can help us craft a year that not only looks good on paper but feels good day to day. For instance, if you want to feel peaceful, you might aim to reduce overwhelm by decluttering your schedule or practicing mindfulness.
Identifying Core Desired Feelings
Reflect on Your Desired Feelings: Take a moment to think about how you want to feel in 2025. Do you want to feel energized, connected, creative, or perhaps peaceful? Identifying these feelings helps set a foundation for your actions and plans.
Why It Helps: By knowing how you want to feel, you can make decisions that bring you more joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment. It helps prioritize activities and commitments that align with your emotional aspirations.
Ask yourself: What would make me feel truly fulfilled at the end of the day? What feelings do I want to carry with me throughout 2025?
Planning for the First Quarter: January - March
Let’s break down the first quarter of 2025, setting the stage for a year that truly resonates with how you want to feel. Breaking the year into quarters makes it easier to focus on small, manageable changes while staying aligned with your desired feelings.
Mapping Out Actions
January: Focus on establishing routines that cultivate your desired feelings. If you want to feel energized, consider integrating regular physical activity or a new hobby that excites you.
February: Build on your routines by incorporating connections. If feeling connected is important, plan regular meet-ups or check-ins with friends or groups that uplift you.
March: Evaluate the effectiveness of your new routines and connections. Adjust as necessary to enhance the feelings you aim to experience. Perhaps introduce mindfulness practices if you seek peace.
Setting Achievable Objectives
Define Specific, Measurable Steps: For each desired feeling, set small, achievable objectives. If creativity is a desired feeling, an objective could be to spend one hour per week on a creative activity like writing, painting, or crafting.
Why it Helps: Big or vague ideas can lead to overwhelm without direction. By breaking these objectives down into manageable actions, you achieve a sense of accomplishment that keeps you motivated. Small wins build momentum, making it easier to stay aligned with your core feelings over time.
Embracing Flexibility and Adjustments
Anticipate Adjustments: Given the nature of ADHD, it’s crucial to remain flexible and open to adjustments in your plans. Regularly check in with yourself to see if your actions are still aligned with how you want to feel.
Why It Helps: Flexibility is not about giving up on plans but about adapting to create something even better. With ADHD, this mindset can turn potential frustrations into opportunities for growth.
Implementing Support Systems
Utilize Tools and Resources: Consider using tools such as planners, apps, therapy or coaching to help maintain your focus on your desired feelings and objectives.
Why It Helps: These tools can provide structure and reminders, aiding in managing time blindness and the frequent distractions that can come with ADHD.
Closing Thoughts
As you look ahead to 2025, remember that how you want to feel is just as important as what you want to achieve. At Agave Health, we’re here to support you in aligning your actions with your emotions, helping you craft a year that not only meets your goals but enriches your everyday life. Here’s to a joyful, fulfilling 2025 filled with moments that resonate deeply with your desired feelings!
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