The New Year's Resolution Solution: Setting Achievable Goals When You Have Social Anxiety
As the New Year approaches, many of us are reflecting on the past and contemplating resolutions to improve our lives in the coming year. New Year’s resolutions are a popular tradition, but for people with social anxiety, setting and achieving these goals can be especially challenging and emotionally complicated. However, with thoughtful planning, realistic expectations, and the support of therapy, it's entirely possible to navigate the hurdles of social anxiety make meaningful progress toward personal growth, and stick to your resolution. In this blog post, we'll explore strategies for setting achievable goals, taking into account the unique aspects of living with social anxiety, and explore how incorporating social anxiety therapy can be a valuable resource in this process.
How To Understand Your Social Anxiety
Before embarking on your resolution journey, it's crucial to gain a deep understanding of your social anxiety. Therapy provides a safe space to explore and discuss these feelings with a trained professional who can offer valuable insights and coping strategies. By identifying specific triggers and challenges, you can tailor your resolutions to address them effectively. For many people, online therapy for social anxiety can provide the flexibility and comfort they are looking for during the tumultuous and busy holiday season.
What Does An Achievable New Year’s Resolution Look Like?
When working on a New Year’s resolution, it is common for people with social anxiety to get overwhelmed, especially if your resolution involves socializing or being around strangers. This can lead to feeling paralyzed like you don’t even want to start because you are too afraid to take the plunge. Here are some tips to avoid this from our social anxiety therapists at the Keely Group:
Don’t set yourself up for failure.
One common pitfall when setting New Year's resolutions is aiming too high, too soon. For individuals with social anxiety, it's crucial to start small and gradually work your way up. Start with some really low-bar goals that you can actually accomplish. For example, if you want to work out more, ease into it with some low-impact exercise a few times a week before trying to go to the gym every day.
Set broad goals.
Setting very specific goals can lead to feelings of failure if you don’t reach them rather than improvement. Rather than framing your resolutions solely in the context of overcoming social anxiety, shift your perspective to emphasize personal growth. This could involve setting goals related to self-confidence, communication skills, or self-care practices. Therapists can offer valuable insights into breaking larger goals into smaller, more manageable steps.
Don’t oversell yourself.
Expecting yourself to do a 180 in terms of personality, habits, and social life overnight can put a lot of pressure on you and make feelings of social anxiety worse. Remember that January 1st is just a day on the calendar, and your goals will be more easily achieved through gradual self-improvement. During the holidays, it is important to have patience and compassion for yourself.
Ok, I Have My Resolutions. How Do I Stick To My Goals?
Once you have set your achievable resolutions, the hard work of sticking to them begins. Being very intentional when setting your goals is a great first step toward mental health and well-being.
Use the snowball method.
Set out to accomplish little tasks, and let the empowerment you get from finishing those move you towards bigger goals. For example, if you want to try to be more comfortable going out with friends, start by socializing in a very low-stakes environment so you’ll feel better about going to a more stressful one.
Hold yourself accountable.
Give yourself incentives to keep going–a treat every now and then to power you through goes a long way. Reach out to friends, family, or your therapist and tell them what your goals are and how they could play a role in helping you.
Share with your therapist.
Having a regular therapy session can give you a space to share what you’ve achieved and what you want to tackle next. A therapist will help you acknowledge what you’ve accomplished this past year already, and find pockets of growth you can bring into the next year.
How Can I Seek Support For My New Year?
Don't hesitate to reach out to friends, family, or mental health professionals for support. Sharing your goals with a trusted confidant can provide encouragement and accountability. Connecting with others who understand your challenges can be a powerful motivator.
Online social anxiety therapy can play a pivotal role in this process by providing a supportive virtual environment to explore and work through smaller challenges before tackling larger ones. A social anxiety therapist can help break down overarching goals into manageable steps, ensuring that each step aligns with your unique comfort level and capabilities.
Remember, Therapy for Anxiety is a Great Goal Setting Resource
As you embark on your journey of setting and achieving New Year's resolutions while managing social anxiety, remember that therapy is a valuable resource in this process. Understanding your social anxiety, starting small with anxiety treatment, focusing on personal growth with therapeutic guidance, breaking goals into manageable steps with therapeutic insights, and seeking ongoing support through therapy are key strategies for success. With patience, self-compassion, and the assistance of therapy, you can make meaningful strides toward a more fulfilling and confident life in the year ahead.
Want To Combat Your Social Anxiety This Holiday Season? Reach Out To An Anxiety Therapist In NYC And Start Therapy For Anxiety Today!
If anxiety is affecting your daily life and well-being, The Keely Group, online anxiety therapists in NYC, is here to provide the support and guidance you need. Our comprehensive understanding of anxiety allows us to develop personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific needs and help you reach your New Year’s goals. Take the first step towards a more balanced and fulfilling life by contacting The Keely Group in NYC today. Let us provide you with the tools and support you need to overcome social anxiety and thrive. Follow the steps below to get started.
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Enter the new year with more confidence and understanding!
Other Online Mental Health Services Offered at The Keely Group in New York City
In addition to Online Therapy for Anxiety, The Keely Group offers a wide variety of online services to fit the needs of busy professionals. We understand that you may face other challenges throughout your daily life that can affect relationships and dating, so we offer online therapy services to help you cope with these issues. Our ultimate goal is to help you streamline your life and that's why we offer an array of services such as: