Happy New Year quieridos,
The beginning of a new year often arrives with urgency—new goals, new habits, new you.
But our nervous systems don’t respond well to pressure. True, sustainable change begins not with force, but with regulation, reflection, and meaning.
Before we rush forward, let us pause.
Calm First, Then Create
From a neuroscience perspective, the brain sets goals most effectively when the nervous system feels safe. When we are regulated, the prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain responsible for planning, focus, and decision-making—comes online. When we are dysregulated or overwhelmed, we default to survival, not vision.
This is why calming practices (slow breathing, prayer, grounding, movement, rest) are not luxuries—they are prerequisites for meaningful goal setting.
Faith, Meaning, and the Long View
Theologically, many traditions remind us that vision is not rushed. “Write the vision and make it plain” (Habakkuk 2:2) speaks not to hustle, but to clarity and intention. We are invited to co-create—doing our part while trusting divine timing.
Ancestral Wisdom Knows This Too
Our ancestors understood seasons. They honored cycles, pauses, and rhythms—planting, resting, harvesting. They didn’t demand constant productivity; they respected alignment. We are not meant to bloom all year long.
How the Brain Sets Goals That Stick
Science shows that goals are more likely to be achieved when they are:
- Meaningful (connected to values, not comparison)
- Specific but flexible
- Broken into small, time-bound steps
- Paired with emotional safety and self-compassion
Your Invitation for the New Year
Rather than creating a long list of resolutions, I invite you to choose one clear goal in each of these five areas:
- Spiritual
- Health & Wellness
- Vocational / Purpose
- Hobbies & Interests
- Financial
Once written, gently break each goal into quarterly intentions:
- What feels realistic for Q1?
- What can wait for Q2, Q3, or Q4?
Remember: quarterly goals honor the nervous system. They allow space for life, grief, joy, and rest.
Let this year be less about becoming someone new and more about coming home to yourself—regulated, rooted, and guided.
Con mucho amor,
Mayra
P.S. If you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin, that’s information—not failure. Support, community, and embodied practices make all the difference.
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1AdSd59tgy/
Looking for therapist, book a consultation and see if we can find someone for you.
