At this point in the year we begin think about what we want our new years resolutions to be. But remember last year when you said that you would go to the gym every day? And that you would stop binge-watching Netflix? Yeah, me too…I just finished ten seasons of "Friends" in one month and I can’t even tell you how to get to the gym.
2017 WILL BE OUR YEAR!
The tradition of new year's resolutions comes from the mythical Roman God, Janus. He had one head facing backward and one facing forward, initiating the idea that we can look back and use our past to look forward for change.
According to Dr. Maxwell Maltz, a new habit takes 66 days to become an actual habit. There are other studies that say it takes about 260 days. And one even says that it take 500 days! Clearly the research does not help in telling us how long it’ll take to stick to our resolutions. So the point is; habits and new routines are up to the individual’s level of motivation. Making a resolution is easy; however, sticking to one can be difficult.
I think the biggest piece of advice I have for making resolutions is this; keep it simple. Don’t make your “new year, new me” too drastic or else you’ll get caught up in all the changes. If you start with a simple task; like taking a walk in the mornings and working your way up to a run later on in the year, the transition to a “new you” will be much smoother and probably longer lasting.
Another important thing to remember is that resolutions can be made anytime of the year! If you want to change something in June don't wait all the way till next January to change it, you are in control of your own life, not new year's day.
My last piece of advice is to never change if you don't want to. Don't feel pressured to make a new year's resolution just because everyone else is. Empower yourself and be different. Stay true to who you are and what you want for your own life. So pace yourself and make a real difference in your life, however that may be! Happy New Year y'all!
