Let's face it, almost everyone's New Year's resolutions [1] fly out the window a few months in. What diet? Be more organized? [2] Yeah, OK. It's difficult to maintain your goals once excitement for the new year winds down. So instead of setting myself up for disappointment, I'm not choosing any resolutions — I'm choosing a New Year's theme, one overarching objective to pursue instead of smaller tasks. It's more attainable and realistic, and you don't have to stress yourself out over a limiting list. Rather than telling myself to work out every day or to read four books a month, for example, I'm making my theme for 2017 self-care.

Throughout the entire year, there are various ways I can work toward my goal of prioritizing my mental health and wellness [3]. I'll make choices based on this central theme, and have the flexibility to adjust as I see fit.

Look at it this way:

Resolution: Drink more water.
Action: Today, I'll remember to drink eight glasses of water.

vs.

Theme: Take care of myself.
Action: I feel stressed out today, so I'm going to take a yoga class.

Any decision you make still counts toward your overall goal — you just have the freedom to choose what you think is best for your needs. The takeaway here is to turn your theme into a lifestyle, not a list. Try it out for yourself!