New Year's Eve has come and gone and we are now about two weeks into 2017. Two weeks into 2017 means that sadly, many people's New Year's resolutions have gone down the drain. Whether they vowed to eat healthier, or exercise, or be kinder, they've very likely slipped up and ate that piece of cake or didn't go to the gym for a couple of days or thought that mean comment. The fact that resolutions are so broad and difficult to follow up in one reason why I didn't make one this year.
In years past, I have tried to eat healthier or exercise more. I've told myself that I need to be more motivated or more outgoing or whatever. However, let me let you all in on a little secret: it never last for long. And, of course I don't want to speak for others because it is true that I have no way of really knowing their opinions/beliefs/values/etc. However, I am going to speak for myself when I say that I think New Year's resolutions are the most pointless thing we as humans decide to do.
I'll expand on this. The reason that I think resolutions are so pointless is because why do you need to try and live a better life or whatever you are trying to do when the New Year rolls around? What does a higher number slapped onto the end of the date have anything to do with someone trying to be better? If you want to be healthier, or nicer, or more motivated, or more social, don't wait until January 1. DO IT NOW. Get out there and go for a run or eat an apple or say hi to that boy. Just do it, no matter what the date or the year or the weather. Just do it.
I think that because of the whole New Year's resolution concept, we think that this has to be the time we start anew, which is why I think so many resolutions fail. January is a terrible time to try anything new. It's cold and it gets dark early. What kind of motivation does that give? In my opinion and experience: none.
If you want to pick a certain time of year to try something new and not listen to my advice about just going ahead and doing it whenever, I recommend Spring. Spring has longer days and the temperature is staring to rise. Spring symbolizes birth and renewal, everything that New Year's resolutions are supposed to encompass. So, instead of having a New Year's resolution, have a Spring resolution.
Or, don't have a resolution at all, like me. I'm going to live my life an easier way. When I want to exercise, I'm just going to exercise. When I want to eat a salad that isn't loaded with everything that can make a salad unhealthy (i.e. cheese, ranch dressing), I'm going to eat it. When I want to talk to that person, I'm just going to talk to them. I'm not going to wait until the New Year rolls around to attempt to make my life better.
