New Year, New You (or Not)!

“A New Year’s resolution is a tradition, most common in the Western World but also found in the Eastern World, in which a person resolves to continue good practices, change an undesired trait or behavior, accomplish a personal goal, or otherwise improve their life at the start of a new year.” (wiki)

We all know the drill. “This year I will….”, “This year I won’t…”.  Usually, it’s along the lines of living healthier.  In theory, this is a good oath. But why do we make these promises in the new year?  What often happens is a burst of gym memberships, purchasing of exercise equipment, and joining weight loss groups.  Only to have the desire, attendance, and attention fade by February or March.

Then comes the “beat yourself up” phase.  You’ve let yourself down (again). This can then lead to a rabbit hole of worse behavior than before. I don’t like resolutions, at least not the New Year kind.  There should never be a timeline for improving oneself.  We as humans have the innate ability to learn, grow and evolve.  We have each day anew to decide to incorporate change.  These changes can be small and over time and can start and end on any given day.  So, greet the new year with hope and excitement. But don’t start this year, or any other, with heavy expectations. Move forward, one day at a time. We have 365 of them every year.