{"id":5571,"date":"2016-02-04T11:18:44","date_gmt":"2016-02-04T11:18:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/?p=5571"},"modified":"2026-05-23T05:36:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-23T05:36:08","slug":"new-year-new-perspectives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/new-year-new-perspectives\/","title":{"rendered":"New Year, New Goal: 10 Reasons to Have a Fresh Perspective"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Group<\/p>\n

For many people, January is somewhat of a letdown. The holidays are over, it’s cold outside, and we’re usually left with a few extra pounds from overdoing it in December. <\/span><\/p>\n

But for many others, the New Year means a new beginning, a fresh start, and as Oprah Winfrey cheers- “A new year and another chance for us to get it right!” New year, new goal!<\/span><\/p>\n

You have a golden opportunity in this brand new year to bring a spirit of positive change into your life and marriage. Even in these barren days of winter, a new perspective can begin to blossom.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED READING : <\/span>155+ New Year Captions for Couples to Celebrate Together<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n

<\/span>Changing perspectives<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Talking about the new year, new goal theory, isn’t life all about perspective? Life is 99.9% perspective. How we choose to see the world is how we will experience it. <\/span><\/p>\n

This <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> describes perspective as a mental view of something.  How we see things around us depends on our own experience, schematic knowledge, culture, society, and background.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, it’s not a matter of overhauling your whole relationship. That can feel like a daunting challenge. Maybe it’s just a matter of tweaking your perspective – just a little. Noticing, perhaps for the first time in a long while, the good that was there all along.<\/span><\/p>\n

It’s like Dorothy’s ruby slippers in The Wizard of Oz. We loved that amazing scene when the Good Witch revealed to Dorothy the value of those slippers. She had been wearing them all along without realizing the power they possessed. <\/span><\/p>\n

At that moment, Dorothy discovers she wasn’t asking the right question. The question was not, “How do I get what I want?” The real question was, “How do I recognize what I need to do to polish an old gemstone and discover how beautiful and precious it really is? <\/span><\/p>\n

That gemstone, of course, is your spouse! Creating this shift in your awareness is easier than you might think.  <\/span><\/p>\n

Here are a few steps you can take right now to practice the concept of new year, new goal.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Be kind<\/b><\/h3>\n

This quote says it all. So simple, yet so powerful! “Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and the most underrated agent of human change” ~ Bob Kerry<\/span><\/p>\n

Helping others is <\/span>good for your mental health<\/span><\/a> too. If you hope for new year to be kind to you, start being that yourself!<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Begin to focus on what you love about your spouse<\/b><\/h3>\n

Make a new year, new goal list to remind yourself. A great way to do this is to keep a gratitude journal about your relationship. When tension mounts, you can refer to this journal to help you tweak that all-<\/span>important perspective<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

This can go a long way in helping you look past a multitude of annoying habits and can help you rediscover what makes your partner so special. Read it often, and don’t forget to share these precious insights with the special person who inspires this affection.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED READING : <\/span>How to Set Healthy New Year\u2019s Resolutions for Your Relationship<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n

3. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"Senior<\/p>\n

Practice seeing things from your spouse’s “perspective ” instead of your own. This is important for new year, new goal. You’d be surprised how much you can learn when you adopt an attitude of curiosity rather than judgment.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Celebrate achievements, big and small<\/b><\/h3>\n

Recognizing and celebrating each other’s achievements, whether big or small, creates a positive atmosphere in your relationship. <\/span><\/p>\n

It’s about acknowledging the efforts and successes and promoting a sense of support and encouragement. <\/span><\/p>\n

To truly adopt the ‘new year, new goal’ idea, celebrate milestones together, and it will reinforce the idea that you’re each other’s biggest fans on this journey of life.<\/span><\/p>\n