As we wind down from the whirlwind, and oftentimes stress, of the holidays and begin 2024, many of us are likely taking some time to catch our breath and relax, or perhaps catch up on forgotten projects we have procrastinated doing.

With the new year comes a time for most people to make resolutions. Undoubtedly, we have made a resolution, most often revolving around self-care. In fact, over three quarters of Americans will set out making a resolution, and while physical fitness often tops the list, what has been top of mind more than ever is mental health. In the article New Year’s Resolutions: Building Good Mental Health Habits from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration it also recommends keeping your mental health a priority.

While setting a resolution can come with many emotions from excitement to anxiety, it is vital to consider your well-being and personal attitude toward these goals. Included in the article are several tips to achieve this, such as having small, manageable goals in order to not feel overwhelmed, staying positive, and leaning on others for support.

Only you can determine how you can best succeed, whether that is keeping a journal or working with others to provide motivation. It is important to not compare yourself to others, especially with how easy social media makes things appear, or have overly ambitious goals that will set yourself up for failure. Remember to give yourself grace if you stumble. You can hit refresh whenever you like, perhaps choosing a different date. Just because the calendar hits January 1 does not mean a clock is running. Like most things in life, this is a journey, which will come with its fair share of obstacles, and it is important to remain positive.

Finally, if you are still thinking about your resolution or even if those types of promises aren’t your thing, I encourage you to add to your list ways to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). If you don’t know where to begin, your MBA has a wonderful list of resources on its website. View the resources here.

At the core of the DEI efforts should be making everyone feel like they belong and have a voice. There should be an attitude of acknowledgment and acceptance towards one another. Finally, this is a journey and as each of us grows, we should celebrate and appreciate the various experiences and perspectives that make us all unique. Many warm wishes for a healthy and prosperous new year!