Month: December 2025

What Is Your End of Year Resolution?

A lively indoor party scene with people toasting champagne glasses amid confetti and warm lights.

Some of us put a lot of emphasis on resolutions at the beginning of the year, but what about starting it at the end of the year? Why wait for the new year to start something new? When we think about how we want to end the year, we might consider our goals, habits, and mindset. These are the things that can keep us from feeling and having what we want. What is your end-of-year resolution? 

Being Grateful

Many people see January 1st as a fresh start. I used to look forward to the new year because I wanted change, but I’ve realized that change isn’t tied to a date. It begins with our mindset. We tend to believe that something or someone else will make us happier, but if we can’t appreciate what we have now, having more will not fix that. Wanting more does not create happiness. Being grateful does. What are you thankful for right now? Let’s close out the year with gratitude.

Starting Small

Our mindset is instrumental in planting the seed for change, but our actions are what water the seed for growth. When we think of our habits, which ones are blocking us from growing, and which ones are helping us grow? The common reason why people don’t see change is because of inconsistency. Just like a plant needs consistent care, our goals and desires do too. Sometimes the key is to start small. Think of a plant: a seed is tiny, but with care and patience, it eventually grows into something more. What is one small step you can take towards your goal?

Evaluating Goals

Goals are great for personal development, but our intentions behind them are just as important. When we think about our goals, do they stem from where we think we should be? Many goals aren’t even what we want for ourselves, but what others might expect from us. Sometimes, the expectations we allow others to hold us to are keeping us from growth. If you take the external pressures away, how would your goals look differently?

Ending the Year

As the new year approaches, many of us are already thinking about our resolutions. Why not set a resolution for the end of this month? Consider the mindset, habit, or goal you want to embrace as you wrap up this year. Cheers to finishing the year on a positive note!

How Do You Process Anger?

Expressive angry businessman in formal suit looking at camera and screaming with madness while hitting desk with fist

Before we can begin processing our emotions, it’s essential to understand their purpose. Emotions serve as signals that help us connect with others, alert us to potential threats, and motivate us to change our behavior. Some feelings, like anger, are often labeled as negative, yet anger is typically a secondary emotion. Beneath it usually lies fear or sadness, which we may avoid because anger can feel more protective and powerful. Ultimately, no emotion is inherently bad; it’s the way we express our feelings and the choices we make in response to them that determine their impact.

The Fight-or-Flight Response

When we experience anger, our fight-or-flight response gets activated. Our heart may race, our breathing becomes shallow and rapid, and we feel tense, all because our body perceives a threat. In this instant, our ability to reason diminishes. The prefrontal cortex, the part of our brain responsible for logical thinking, becomes less active as our body prioritizes survival. This physiological response can feel intense, which is why learning to regulate ourselves is so crucial. Simple techniques, like counting to ten or taking a deep breath, can give us a moment to pause and respond in a healthier way.

Exploring the Source of Anger

Anger isn’t inherently destructive; it only becomes harmful when we fail to handle it in a healthy way. While we may feel that anger controls us, how we respond is ultimately a choice. Sometimes, simply pausing for a moment can help us regain control. Once we do, we can start to understand why we’re angry. Often, anger arises from a sense of unfairness or the need to protect ourselves. But if we look deeper, we often find fear or sadness underneath. Recognizing these underlying emotions allows us to address the root cause of our anger.

Setting Boundaries to Protect Yourself

Anger can serve as a defense mechanism, but another effective way to protect ourselves is by setting boundaries. Boundaries provide a sense of safety and empowerment, allowing us to maintain healthy relationships. When we experience anger, it can be helpful to reflect on what boundaries we need to establish. For example, if someone makes a hurtful comment, instead of reacting with anger, we might calmly express that the comment was hurtful. We could also step away from the conversation or limit contact with that person. The goal isn’t to eliminate anger, but to use it as a signal to protect our well-being.

Practical Steps to Regulate Anger

Next time you feel angry, pause and breathe. Identify the fear or sadness beneath the emotion. Then choose a boundary that supports your emotional well-being. By practicing this regularly, you will learn to regulate your emotions effectively.