When I think about December, the first thing that comes to mind is Christmas. When you attend church for your entire life, this holiday is embedded into your brain. We celebrate this season with holiday shopping, traditions, decorations, movies, music and so much more. December is filled with hope and excitement for everything the holiday season has to offer. 

Do you know what follows this fun, festive holiday season? January. The first day of the first month of the new year brings New Year’s resolutions—goals, resolutions, things to accomplish in the new year. We went from writing holiday shopping lists to New Year’s resolution lists.  

I know it can be a tad early to be talking about New Year’s resolutions this month, because we’re too busy decorating our Christmas tree and shopping for presents! But the time of writing resolutions is going to come, and I want to be prepared. 

The new year brings new opportunities to implement new goals and habits. I hope to focus on new habits that I can start and continue in the new year. These habits can include spending intentional time with God each morning, eating more whole foods and greens, moving my body (in any way possible!) and managing money or setting a budget that sticks. By starting to think about these goals this month, I can feel more ready to start them in the new year. 

We should always visit our goals and reflect on them. Setting goals can be a monthly or even daily thing, and honestly, should be. Goals are what help us grow and evolve into the people we want to be, whether they’re short-term or long-term. January is always good to set our long-term goals (and resolutions) because it symbolizes newness and new beginnings (cue “The Start of Something New” from the High School Musical soundtrack). But while January is a popular month to set new goals, we can also set goals any month of the year. So, while December is a fantastic month to reflect on the past year, take this fun, festive month to think about new goals.  

If you tend to procrastinate on setting your New Year goals and resolutions, I challenge you to start thinking about them this month. Hey—you can do this while you’re watching your favorite holiday movie. 

Illustration by Lan Truong