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Cultivating a growth mindset: a path to personal transformation and resilience

In the journey of personal development and mental wellbeing, the concept of a growth mindset has emerged as a powerful tool. Have you ever faced a challenge and felt like giving up because you thought you were not ‘good enough’? The idea of a growth mindset, coined by psychologist Carol Dweck, offers a different perspective—one that suggests our abilities, intelligence and even personality traits are not fixed but can evolve with effort, learning and perseverance (Dweck, 1999). This perspective is transformative, especially when navigating challenges or embarking on the path of therapy.

What is a growth mindset?

A growth mindset contrasts with a fixed mindset, where individuals believe their capabilities are static and unchangeable. Those with a fixed mindset might avoid challenges, give up easily, or feel threatened by others; success. In contrast, a growth mindset fosters resilience, encourages learning from setbacks, and inspires an appreciation for effort as a pathway to mastery (Yeager & Dweck, 2020).

This distinction is not merely theoretical. Research shows that adopting a growth mindset can have profound effects on various aspects of life, including academic achievement, mental health and social relationships (Burnette et al., 2023). For instance:

  • Academic : Have you ever struggled in school and thought, “I will never get this?” Students with a growth mindset often achieve higher grades, demonstrate greater persistence in learning, and embrace challenges as opportunities to improve.
  • Mental health: A growth mindset can help reduce depressive symptoms, encourage adaptive coping strategies, and build resilience when facing adversity.
  • Social relationships: Imagine approaching conflicts with empathy and a willingness to learn rather than defensiveness. A growth mindset fosters better conflict resolution skills, empathy and healthier, more constructive relationships.

Growth mindset in therapy

If you have ever felt stuck in therapy or wondered if meaningful change was possible, you are not alone. Therapy often involves facing deep-seated fears, confronting painful memories, or addressing long-standing patterns of behaviour. A fixed mindset might interpret these experiences as confirmation of personal limitations, leading to feelings of hopelessness. By cultivating a growth mindset, individuals can reframe these challenges as opportunities for self-discovery and transformation.

For example, clients with a growth mindset are more likely to:

  • Embrace challenges: Seeing difficulties as a natural part of growth rather than insurmountable barriers.
  • Persist through setbacks: Understanding that progress is not linear and setbacks provide valuable lessons.
  • Seek feedback: Valuing constructive input as a means to improve rather than as a critique of their worth.
  • Celebrate effort: Recognising that effort is an essential component of any meaningful change.

However, shifting from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset can feel challenging at first, especially if past experiences have reinforced self-doubt. Be patient with yourself and remember that growth is a gradual process.

Evidence supporting growth mindset interventions

Studies indicate that growth mindset interventions can positively impact mental health and wellbeing. Growth mindset interventions are structured activities or programmes designed to encourage individuals to believe that their abilities, intelligence and other traits are malleable and can improve with effort and persistence.

Examples include:

  • Education-based interventions: Students learn that the brain develops through effort and learning. Activities might include reflecting on past failures and identifying how persistence contributed to improvement (Yeager et al., 2019).
  • Therapeutic techniques: Reframing negative self-talk (e.g., “I am bad at this” becomes “I am not good at this yet”) and focusing on incremental progress toward goals.
  • Workplace applications: Training programmes that highlight the value of learning from constructive feedback and prioritising growth over immediate success.

These interventions have demonstrated improvements in motivation, goal-directed behaviour and reductions in depressive symptoms when individuals embrace a growth-oriented approach (Burnette et al., 2023; Yeager & Dweck, 2020). Notably, these strategies tend to be most effective for individuals facing significant challenges or stressors, providing an additional layer of hope and empowerment.

Applying the growth mindset in everyday life

Integrating a growth mindset into daily life can start with small but significant changes:

  1. Reframe negative thoughts: Instead of thinking, “I cannot do this” reframe to, “I cannot do this yet.”
  2. Set realistic goals: Break larger goals into manageable steps to maintain momentum and celebrate small victories.
  3. Practice self-compassion: Treat mistakes as learning opportunities rather than failures. For example, a client might view a missed goal in therapy as a chance to explore what barriers they faced, rather than as a failure.
  4. Surround yourself with support: Building a growth mindset is not a solo journey—your environment and relationships play a critical role. Choose positive influences who encourage growth, provide constructive feedback, and model resilience. Engage in communities that share a growth-oriented perspective and create spaces that inspire positivity and learning.

Final thoughts

The journey to personal growth and resilience is deeply individual, but the principles of a growth mindset provide a valuable compass. As clients and therapists work together, adopting this perspective can transform therapy into a space not just for healing but for flourishing. Whether you are navigating a personal challenge or seeking to understand yourself better, remember: growth is always possible.

 

Lucie Ramet is an experienced Chartered Psychologist and CBT & ACT Therapist offering short and long-term individual support to adolescents (16+) and adults. She works in English and French. She works Mondays and Fridays from our Brighton and Hove practice, She also offers online sessions.

 

Further reading by Lucie Ramet –

Your brain is not for thinking – it’s for survival and balance

Emotions: hardwired tools from our evolutionary past

Embracing a mindful new year: Achieving resolutions with ACT therapy

 

References –

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Understanding motivation: insights from neuroscience

Motivation is the spark that drives our behaviours, whether it’s waking up early for work, pursuing a personal goal, or simply seeking enjoyment in daily life. But what exactly fuels this drive? Modern neuroscience offers fascinating insights into the mechanisms behind motivation and its role in our mental well-being.

What is motivation?

Motivation is broadly defined as the energy and direction behind goal-oriented behaviour. It involves not just the desire to achieve a goal but also the persistence to overcome obstacles along the way.

Neuroscientists and psychologists view motivation as a complex process influenced by both internal states—like hunger, emotions, or energy levels—and external cues, such as rewards or social expectations (Simpson & Balsam, 2015).

At its core, motivation connects to survival instincts: seeking food, safety, and companionship. However, it also extends beyond these basic needs, propelling us toward personal fulfilment, creativity, and long-term achievements (Kringelbach & Berridge, 2016).

The neuroscience of motivation

Recent research highlights the intricate brain networks responsible for motivation. These systems involve distinct components often referred to as ‘liking’, ‘wanting’ and ‘learning’ (Kringelbach & Berridge, 2016):

  • Wanting: This refers to the craving or desire for a reward, heavily influenced by dopamine systems. Dopamine surges when we anticipate a pleasurable experience, like enjoying a meal or achieving a goal.
  • Liking: This involves the actual experience of pleasure, regulated by specific ‘pleasure hotspots’ in regions like the nucleus accumbens.
  • Learning: This helps us form associations between actions and rewards. For example, if exercising leads to improved mood, your brain reinforces this connection.
  • Interestingly, these systems can function independently. For instance, someone may intensely ‘want’ something (as seen in addiction) without truly ‘liking’ it (Simpson & Balsam, 2015).

Motivation and mental health

Motivation is closely tied to our emotional wellbeing. A lack of motivation, known as amotivation, is a hallmark symptom in conditions like depression, anxiety, and burnout. Disruptions in the brain’s reward system, particularly dopamine-related circuits, can make even basic tasks feel insurmountable (Kringelbach & Berridge, 2016).

Additionally, anhedonia—a reduced ability to feel pleasure—is often linked to diminished ‘liking’ responses in the brain. Addressing these deficits in therapy can improve motivation and overall mental health (Simpson & Balsam, 2015).

Actionable strategies to boost motivation

Understanding how motivation works can empower us to make meaningful changes. Here are evidence-based strategies:

  • Start small and build momentum: Breaking big goals into smaller, achievable steps can activate the brain’s reward system, creating a positive feedback loop. Celebrate these mini-successes to sustain motivation (Kringelbach & Berridge, 2016).
  • Use intrinsic motivation: Find internal reasons for your actions—pride in your progress, alignment with your values, or a sense of purpose. These tend to have longer-lasting effects compared to external rewards like money.
  • Leverage the power of habits: Consistent actions strengthen neural pathways over time. For example, setting a routine for exercise or journaling can transform these behaviours from effortful to automatic
    (Simpson & Balsam, 2015).
  • Visualise the positive outcomes: Research suggests that imagining yourself successfully achieving a goal can increase motivation by activating the brain’s reward system (Kringelbach & Berridge, 2016).
  • Adjust your environment: Surround yourself with cues that encourage the behaviour you want, such as placing workout clothes in a visible spot or using reminders for tasks.

Conclusion

Motivation is a dynamic and complex interplay of biological, emotional, and environmental factors. By understanding the science behind it, we can take intentional steps to nurture and sustain our drive, whether for personal growth, mental well-being, or achieving long-term goals.

Remember, motivation isn’t simply a matter of willpower—it is deeply rooted in the workings of your brain and can be influenced by practical changes in your mindset and environment.

If you are facing persistent struggles with motivation or joy in daily life, seeking professional help can provide valuable tools to understand and address these challenges.

 

Lucie Ramet, Chartered Psychologist, CBT and ACT, works Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursday afternoons and Fridays from our Brighton and Hove practice, She also offers online sessions.

 

Further reading by Lucie Ramet

Your brain is not for thinking – it’s for survival and balance

Emotions: hardwired tools from our evolutionary past

Embracing a mindful new year: Achieving resolutions with ACT therapy

References –

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Your brain is not for thinking – it’s for survival and balance

When most of us think about the brain, we tend to associate it with thinking—solving problems, making decisions, or engaging in intellectual discussions. However, according to Dr Lisa Feldman Barrett in her chapter ‘Your Brain Is Not for Thinking’ from Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain, thinking is not the brain’s most fundamental function.

In fact, the brain’s primary function, from an evolutionary and developmental perspective, is to ensure our survival by managing the body’s resources—a process she refers to as maintaining the body budget.

In this article, I focus on this key concept from the first part of Dr Barrett’s book. For a deeper understanding of how the brain works, I highly recommend reading the full book, where Dr Barrett explores additional fascinating insights into the brain’s role in our functioning.

What is allostasis (body budget)?

The concept of the ‘body budget’ represents how the brain constantly works to manage the resources that our body needs to function. Imagine your brain as the accountant of your body, ensuring that essential functions like heart rate, energy levels, digestion and oxygen supply are balanced in real time. Much like a financial budget where you monitor deposits and expenditures, the brain tracks energy reserves and adjusts our body’s functions to maintain equilibrium.

Scientifically, this process is called ‘allostasis’. Allostasis is a physiological mechanism of regulation in which the brain anticipates and adjusts the body’s energy use in response to environmental demands. Rather than merely reacting to changes, allostasis involves the brain predicting needs and making proactive adjustments to ensure stability. This constant balancing act allows the body to maintain optimal functioning in a changing environment.

For instance, when you are physically tired after a long day of work, it is not just because your muscles are worn out—your brain has monitored and calculated your energy expenditure throughout the day, signalling that it is time to rest and restore your body budget.

The role of prediction in body budgeting

Dr Barrett emphasises that the brain’s primary role is not reactive but predictive. Rather than merely responding to what is happening in the environment, the brain is constantly forecasting what resources your body will need based on past experiences and current conditions. This predictive function allows the brain to make micro-adjustments before the need arises, ensuring that you remain balanced, healthy and alert.

For example, when you reach for your morning coffee, your brain is not just reacting to your craving for caffeine—it is predicting that the caffeine will help increase your energy and regulate your body budget for the day ahead.

Similarly, in moments of stress, the brain prepares the body by releasing stress hormones like cortisol, anticipating the need for extra energy to handle the challenging situation.

How emotions tie into the body budget

What does this have to do with emotions? Dr Barrett argues that emotions are not abstract feelings disconnected from the physical world but are deeply tied to the brain’s management of your body budget. Emotions like fear, anxiety or happiness are signals that the brain sends to prepare or adjust your body’s resources.

Consider fear: when your brain perceives a potential threat, it triggers the fight-or-flight response, releasing adrenaline to ensure that your body has enough energy to either confront or escape danger. In this case, fear is not just a mental state—it is an emotion deeply connected to your brain’s prediction that you will need extra resources to protect yourself.

Practical implications: why the body budget matters for health and wellbeing

Understanding the concept of the body budget has important implications for everyday life, particularly in managing stress, emotional regulation and mental health. When we ignore the body’s signals—like pushing through fatigue or suppressing emotions—we disrupt the body budget.

For instance, if you continue to push through fatigue without resting, it’s like overspending from a financial budget without replenishing your resources. Over time, this can lead to an ‘energy bankruptcy’, making it harder to function effectively. Chronic stress and emotional suppression can result in burnout, physical illness, or mental health disorders like anxiety and depression.

In therapy, the body budget concept can be applied through various approaches. For example, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) often begins with psychoeducation, helping clients recognise how their thoughts, behaviours, emotions and physical sensations are interconnected. By understanding how stress and emotions impact their body budget, clients can identify early warning signs and make proactive choices to maintain balance and prevent exhaustion.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), another approach, helps clients ‘sit with’ uncomfortable emotions while still engaging in meaningful activities. This strategy allows clients to navigate emotional discomfort without further draining their body’s resources.

Conclusion

The brain’s primary role is not limited to thinking or intellectual activity—it is the critical organ that ensures our survival by maintaining our body budget. Understanding this function and recognising how our brains predict and regulate our body’s needs can offer us profound insights into managing stress, emotional health and overall wellbeing.

By paying attention to our body budget, we can make more informed choices that not only keep us healthy but help us thrive.

 

Lucie Ramet is an experienced Chartered Psychologist and CBT & ACT Therapist offering short and long-term individual support to adolescents (16+) and adults. She works in English and French. She works Mondays and Fridays from our Brighton and Hove practice, She also offers online sessions.

Lucie is inspired by research in psychology, sociology and neuroscience that explores the keys to wellbeing and the science behind happiness, compassion and purpose. She finds it essential to apply these findings in her therapeutic work to promote a thriving and resilient society.

Recommended Reading: Dr Lisa Feldman Barrett, Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain.

 

Further reading by Lucie Ramet –

Emotions: hardwired tools from our evolutionary past

Embracing a mindful new year: Achieving resolutions with ACT therapy

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Emotions: hardwired tools from our evolutionary past

Since the dawn of humanity, emotions have been integral to our survival, guiding our ancestors* through a world filled with imminent threats. Fear prompted quick reactions to danger, joy encouraged behaviours that strengthened social bonds, and disgust helped prevent contact with harmful substances.

These primitive emotional responses are hardwired into our brains, offering rapid, instinctual reactions to our environment. While these responses remain invaluable in critical situations, such as encountering a wild animal or reacting to sudden threats like fires, modern challenges often involve complex social and personal dynamics. These can include managing academic demands, coping with interpersonal conflict, navigating work-related stress, dealing with health issues, and striving for personal growth amidst societal pressures.

When triggered by modern challenges, our innate emotional responses can make us feel unequipped and overwhelmed. Viewing these reactions as abnormal only amplifies our distress. It is essential to recognise their natural and instinctive nature. By understanding their manifestation in our brain and body, and recognising their intended functions, we can learn to accept, welcome, and use them.

Far from being flaws, emotions help us cope and take necessary action to address the challenges we face.

Let’s delve deeper into each emotion and explore its practical applications:

FEAR

Fear initiates a series of neurological events, primarily engaging the amygdala, the brain’s fear centre. This activation orchestrates physiological changes, preparing the body for fight-or-flight responses to optimise survival chances. This mechanism is observed across species, underscoring its fundamental role in ensuring survival in threatening situations.

Consider a scenario from prehistoric times, where early humans encountered a predatory animal while hunting. In such moments, fear would surge through their bodies, prompting quick instinctual responses enabling them to confront the danger or flee to safety. This instinctual reaction allows for rapid assessment and adaptive actions to maximise survival chances. Over time, these innate survival mechanisms would have been refined through natural selection, contributing to the evolutionary success of early human populations.

Today, fear, when experienced moderately, can foster adaptive behaviours and resilience in navigating life’s challenges. The urgency and attention to detail prompted by anxiety can lead to increased preparation, alertness, focus, organisation, and productivity. These factors empower individuals to effectively respond to situations and achieve success in reaching their goals.

Implementable strategies: When facing fear, evaluate the reality of the threat and distinguish between immediate threats and potential future concerns. Determine if the fear relates to a current, tangible problem or abstract scenario. Practise calming techniques like mindfulness exercises, grounding techniques, or guided visualisation to manage the fight-or-flight response and navigate stress. These practices can cultivate a sense of security, enabling fear to serve as a tool for cautious, informed decision-making rather than an overwhelming obstacle.

ANGER

Anger indicates perceived violations of personal boundaries or unfair treatment. It serves as a signal for issues requiring attention or resolution and may prompt assertive behaviours aimed at defending one’s rights to gain recognition and respect.

In prehistoric times, a member of an early human tribe might have experienced anger when perceiving a threat to their territory or resources. This anger could have prompted assertive actions aimed at establishing dominance and preserving access to vital resources, ensuring the group’s survival.

Today, anger remains a potent indicator of issues necessitating attention or resolution, such as workplace injustices or interpersonal conflicts. Constructive expression of anger and addressing underlying issues can lead to advocacy and positive resolutions, although uncontrolled anger may result in destructive behaviours and strained relationships.

Implementable Strategies: Upon experiencing anger, pause to identify its root cause. Practise constructive communication by using ‘I’ statements to express feelings without assigning blame, and actively listen to the other party’s perspective. This approach fosters healthier resolutions and mutual understanding, transforming anger into a catalyst for positive change.

DISGUST

Disgust acts as a protective mechanism against harmful substances and behaviours, signalling individuals to avoid potential threats to physical or social well-being and safeguarding them from harm.

Consider a scenario from prehistoric times where our ancestors encountered spoiled food or contaminated water sources. The feeling of disgust would deter them from consuming these substances, preserving their health and preventing illness or disease.

In modern society, disgust continues to protect our health and influence our social behaviours. It shapes our perceptions of others and guides our interactions by prompting us to distance ourselves from offensive or inappropriate behaviour, thereby maintaining social norms and upholding cultural values.

Implementable Strategies: Recognise the triggers of your disgust and utilise this awareness to assert your personal boundaries and values. Communicate your boundaries to others clearly and respectfully when necessary.

SADNESS

Sadness is characterised by reduced activity in brain regions associated with reward processing, signalling a need for social support and introspection. The amygdala, refrontal cortex, and insula play pivotal roles in processing sadness, and facilitating adaptive responses to emotional distress. Crying often accompanies sadness, serving as a physiological release by triggering tear production to alleviate emotional tension.

Additionally, crying can function as a form of communication, conveying distress and potentially eliciting support from others. Research suggests that crying may have a cathartic effect, aiding individuals in processing and managing their emotions.

Imagine a scenario in a prehistoric community where a beloved member passes away. The tribe is overwhelmed with profound sadness and grief, mourning the loss of a cherished individual. Recognising the signs of sadness, the tribe comes together to offer support, empathy, and solace to those affected, strengthening bonds of kinship and collective responsibility. Through communal rituals and gatherings, they navigate this period of grief, drawing strength from their unity and fostering resilience and cohesion even in adversity.

Today, sadness continues to serve as a signal of the need for social support and introspection, prompting individuals to seek comfort, assistance and guidance during challenging times. By acknowledging and processing feelings of sadness, individuals can engage in self-reflection and adapt their strategies for survival, ultimately leading to more effective decision-making and increased chances of overcoming adversity.

Implementable Strategies: Recognise sadness as a natural, valid response to loss or disappointment. Seek comfort through healthy means, such as connecting with supportive friends or family, engaging in creative outlets like writing or art, or spending time in nature.

Consider exploring alternative solutions or perspectives that may help alleviate your sadness. This could involve challenging negative thought patterns, seeking professional guidance, or trying new activities that bring you joy.

JOY

Joy, intricately connected with the brain’s reward circuitry, orchestrates behaviours geared towards enhancing overall well-being. Dopaminergic pathways within the brain play a central role in the experience of joy, reinforcing behaviours associated with positive outcomes.

In prehistoric times, successful hunts or bountiful harvests elicited feelings of joy and satisfaction among individuals, strengthening social bonds as they shared their bounty with fellow tribe members. This communal joy fostered cooperation and ensured the collective well-being of the group.

Today, joy remains a driving force in goal pursuit, providing a sense of purpose and meaning. When we find joy in our aspirations—whether career-related, personal, or relational—we are motivated to invest time and effort into achieving them. Sharing joyful experiences strengthens social connections, fosters a sense of belonging, reduces conflicts, and promotes group stability.

Implementable Strategies: Take time to explore sources of genuine happiness and fulfilment in your life, recognising that they may evolve over time. Identify your core values, passions, and sources of joy, consciously prioritising them in your choices to enhance well-being. Additionally, create opportunities for shared experiences of joy with loved ones to deepen bonds and cultivate a greater sense of connection and belonging within your family and social circle.

Emotions are fundamental components of the human experience, woven into the DNA of our species. By understanding their biological mechanisms and functional roles, we gain valuable insight into our own physical experiences, behaviours, and decision-making processes. While some emotions may feel uncomfortable, ignoring or suppressing them can lead to negative consequences such as anxiety, depression, or even physical health problems.

Taking an evolutionary perspective on emotions can shift our view, recognising them as valuable tools for growth rather than obstacles to overcome. By actively understanding and accepting our emotions, we empower ourselves to navigate life’s challenges more effectively. Practices like mindfulness and effective communication help us manage emotions constructively, fostering resilience and positive outcomes.

For those grappling with overwhelming emotions, seeking professional help from a therapist can offer valuable support in developing healthy coping mechanisms and achieving emotional well-being.

 

Lucie Ramet is an experienced Chartered Psychologist and CBT & ACT Therapist offering short and long-term individual support to adolescents (16+) and adults. She works in English and French. She works Mondays and Fridays from our Brighton and Hove practice, She also offers online sessions.

*Ancestors: the people from whom we are descended. When referring to human evolution, “ancestors” specifically refers to hominids, a group of bipedal primates that includes early humans like Homo erectus and Homo habilis.

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Embracing a mindful new year: achieving resolutions with ACT therapy

As we step into the new year, many of us are eager to set resolutions and make positive changes in our lives. However, we often find ourselves struggling to stick to these goals. This year, lets explore how acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) can guide us in setting meaningful resolutions and empower us to take actionable steps towards a more fulfilling life.

Understanding ACT therapy

ACT is a mindfulness-based therapeutic approach that focuses on accepting what is beyond our control, committing to actions aligned with our values, and fostering a more flexible and open mindset. Applying ACT principles to our new year resolutions can lead to sustainable changes and improved well-being.

Tips for setting meaningful resolutions:

1. Practice self-compassion: Instead of setting unrealistic and perfectionistic goals, embrace self-compassion. Understand that setbacks are a natural part of the journey. When we approach ourselves with kindness and understanding, we create a supportive environment for growth.

Actionable tip: Develop a daily self-compassion practice, such as journaling positive affirmations or engaging in mindful self-reflection. For instance, when facing a setback in your resolution to exercise regularly, practice self-compassion by acknowledging that life can be challenging, and setbacks do not diminish your worth. Journal about what you learned from the experience and how you can adjust your approach moving forward.

2. Clarify your values: Identify your core values and use them as a compass for setting resolutions. What truly matters to you? Whether its fostering connection, personal growth, or well-being, aligning resolutions with your values ensures a deeper sense of purpose.

Actionable tip: Create a values-based vision board or journal to regularly revisit and reinforce your core values. If one of your values is connection, set a resolution to nurture relationships. For example, plan regular coffee dates with friends or family members, fostering meaningful connections and aligning your actions with your values.

Also consider combining goals, such as taking family walks to get more active together. This not only fosters a sense of togetherness but also aligns with your commitment to a healthier lifestyle.

3. Set process-oriented goals: Shift your focus from outcome-based goals to process-oriented goals. Instead of fixating on the end result, emphasize the actions and behaviours that lead to progress. This approach fosters a sense of achievement and motivation.

Actionable tip: Break down larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks, and celebrate each step of the process. For instance, if your resolution is to write a book, set a process-oriented goal of writing a certain number of words each day. Celebrate milestones, such as completing a chapter or reaching a word count goal, to stay motivated and focused on the process.

4. Cultivate mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness practices into your daily routine to enhance self-awareness and presence. Mindfulness can help you observe your thoughts and feelings without judgment, allowing for more intentional decision-making.

Actionable tip: Dedicate a few minutes each day to mindfulness exercises, such as deep breathing, meditation, or mindful walking. When faced with a challenging decision related to your resolutions, practice mindfulness by taking a pause. Observe your thoughts and emotions without judgement, allowing you to respond in a way that aligns with your values and long-term goals.

5. Embrace flexibility: Life is unpredictable, and circumstances may change. Instead of rigidly sticking to a plan, be open to adjusting your approach based on new information and experiences. Flexibility enhances resilience and adaptability.

Actionable Tip: Regularly reassess your goals and be willing to modify them as needed, acknowledging that flexibility is a strength. For example, if your resolution involves a specific fitness routine and an injury occurs, be flexible in finding alternative activities that align with your values, such as swimming or yoga. Adapting to change while staying true to your overarching values ensures a more sustainable and fulfilling journey.

As we embark on this new year, lets approach resolutions with a fresh perspective – one rooted in mindfulness and acceptance. By integrating ACT principles into our goal-setting process, we can cultivate a more resilient and purposeful life. Remember, the journey is as important as the destination, and every small step counts.

Here’s to a mindful and fulfilling new year!

 

Lucie Ramet works Mondays and Fridays from our Brighton and Hove practice, She also offers online sessions.

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