Keeping it Together: I'm focusing on the bright moments after another challenging year

It's hard to believe this is the last newsletter of 2021.

With New Year's Day just around the corner, I've been doing some reflecting on this crazy year. Even though 2021 wasn't much better than 2020, there were some bright spots along the way that make me thankful amid the chaos.

Most recently, I told you about my siblings' plans to come visit me in New York for some holiday fun. And it was a success! Well, mostly.

Our Nutcracker ballet tickets were cancelled due to COVID-19 as cases rose in the city, but were were still able to do a lot. And most importantly, we we spent quality time together for the first time in a long while – even if it was eating take-out on my couch.

The fun continued through Christmas weekend as we opened gifts, played games and held a gingerbread house competition! We also had a Christmas Zoom with the rest of our family.

All in all, despite the challenges of this year, there are still memories I will cherish.

What was your favorite memory from 2021? We'd love to know! Send us an email and your submission may be featured in a future newsletter!

Note: We'll be back to our regular Saturday morning schedule in the new year. Talk to you in 2022!

Re-think your resolutions for the new year with intentions

As the new year approaches, many set out to make New Year's resolutions, but can hard-and-fast attempts to change behavior do more harm than good?

While the new year can be an opportunity to assess areas you want to improve, experts suggest approaching goals in a less-pressured way, especially as uncertain times continue make things tough on mental health. 

Instead, Jenny Koning, a therapist with virtual primary care and mental health platform PlushCare, suggests shifting your mindset from resolutions to setting intentions, which "offers us a more enjoyable approach to creating lasting change regardless of the time of year."

"Resolutions can conjure feelings of good or bad and success or failure. Whereas, intentions offer us a place of compassion, growth and grace," she says. 

Here are some tips for successful intention-setting

Examine your core values: You are more likely to stick to change if it supports your underlying values, Koning says, so consider asking yourself, 'What is important to you?"

Make it measurable: "Instead of saying, 'I want to be happier,' or 'I want to be healthier,' maybe your strategy is, 'I'm going to do one fun thing every week,' or 'I'm going to go to the gym four days a week for 25 minutes at a time,' " suggests Amy Morin, psychotherapist and editor-in-chief at VeryWell Mind.

Break it down: You don't have to shoot for the whole year, either. Morin encourages 30-day challenges over annual goals. "When we start to set short term objectives that feel like they're much more doable and we start to see progress, that progress keeps us motivated so we're more likely to stick to them."

For more tips and to read the full story, click here.

Today's reads

• 2021 was a difficult year, but these 100 things made USA TODAY's entertainment team happy.
• Looking for something to watch over holiday vacation? Here are 10 new movies you can’t miss, from 'West Side Story' to new 'Spider-Man'
• Working on a holiday? Here's how that might damage your health
• 2020 was awful. 2021 wasn't much better. What's lurking around the corner in 2022?
• Considering an at-home COVID test before a trip? What travelers need to know

Today's pet

Meet Bella.

"She loves being outside and soaking up the sun outside while she can," writes Jen from Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. "She’s a rescue pup that rescued us and much as we rescued her. We just adore our little 'Boo.' "

Thanks to everyone for reading! Remember you can send pet photos, coping tips and anything else to our email. 

Wishing you all the best, 

Sara Moniuszko