MiraVista Psychiatrist Encourages Compassion-centered Resolutions
HOLYOKE — As the new year begins, many people feel pressure to set ambitious resolutions or reinvent themselves overnight. Mental health leaders at MiraVista Behavioral Health Center are encouraging a different approach in 2026: one grounded in compassion, flexibility, and emotional well-being rather than perfection.
“From a mental health perspective, the most sustainable goals aren’t built on criticism or pressure — they’re rooted in self-understanding and care,” said Dr. Kenneth Richmond, chief medical director at MiraVista. “The start of a new year can be a powerful moment for reflection, but it’s important to remember that growth does not require harsh expectations.”
As a psychiatrist, Richmond notes that traditional resolutions fail because they are overly rigid or focused solely on outcomes, rather than how people want to feel in their daily lives.
“When people focus only on achievement — numbers, milestones, or external measures — they often miss the deeper purpose of change,” he said. “A more supportive question is: how do I want to feel this year? Calm, connected, steady, hopeful — those intentions tend to guide healthier, more lasting choices.”
Richmond encourages individuals to approach resolutions with curiosity and kindness. Helpful strategies include:
• Starting small, recognizing that meaningful change happens one step at a time;
• Choosing goals that add care, not stress, to daily life; and
• Allowing flexibility, understanding that progress is rarely linear.
“Missing a day or needing to adjust a goal is not failure,” Richmond emphasized. “It’s part of being human. What matters most is the ability to restart with kindness rather than giving up altogether.”
According to Richmond, celebrating effort — not just outcomes — plays a critical role in mental wellness.
“Resilience grows when we acknowledge the effort it takes to keep going, even when things feel uneven,” he said. “Checking in with yourself, noticing what’s working, and adjusting as needed are signs of strength, not weakness.”
As the year unfolds, MiraVista encourages individuals, families, and communities to view resolutions not as rigid promises, but as living intentions that can evolve alongside life’s challenges.
“This year, let your goals support your mental health rather than compete with it,” Richmond said. “Growth happens when we meet ourselves with patience, grace, and compassion — exactly where we are.”