#MentalHealthMonday: Goal Setting

I'm trying something new in 2022: #MentalHealthMondays!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

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What better topic to start the year with than goal setting? I know that a lot of folks in the mental health advocacy world are either hesitant to promote goal setting or are against it altogether, but as someone for whom goal setting is a fundamental life, I can't really swear off of it.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

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A couple of things that I'll agree with in the current discourse surrounding goal setting:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

1) The new year is certainly not the only time one can set and pursue goals.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

2) Goals can change!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

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This year, I'm going into goal setting with a few conditions in mind:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

1) Be realistic.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

2) Be willing to adjust.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

3) Dream big, but start small! (See @thelazygenius for more info)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

4) Put yourself and your needs at the forefront of your goals.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

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One more thing I'll say about this time of year: resist the urge to set goals that are solely related to your physical health. Nutrition and physical health are so important, but so is your mental health, and the latter greatly influences the former! Challenge yourself to set some mental health goals this year. My favorite: start a journal!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

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What goals are you setting this year to take care of your mental health?